# Washer with burnt odor - needing a fix or just wait it out?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-with-burnt-odor-needing-a-fix-or-just-wait-it-out/847029>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 27, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-with-burnt-odor-needing-a-fix-or-just-wait-it-out/847029 "2020-01-27T00:09:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 1

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**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washer-with-burnt-odor-needing-a-fix-or-just-wait-it-out/847029/1 "2020-01-27T00:09:17Z")

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So I’ve been getting some confusing advice - after trying to wash a blanket in my top-loading washer (which wasn’t a big or heavy blanket, but I shouldn’t have done it,) there has now been a strong burnt odor that has permeated the house. I consulted online advice and the advice was “just wait for the washer to cool down and you can use it again” - but doesn’t the burnt odor mean the belt or something has - well, \*\*\*burnt \*\*\*and should not be used?

Or is it something that despite being damaged, can be used fine the next time and in future as long as all future loads are normal weight?

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