Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum

The dehumidifier gives off a rain-in-the-air type odor when it defrosts. People have mentioned similar observations. The thought is that it is water molecules picking up a charge when subliming off the evaporator, and then they activate nasal smell sensor cells if they enter the nose.

Guess I've experienced that in the past, but without one odor cognitively stirring up much awareness of similarity with the other.

- - -

I noticed it from my air conditioner, too. I think it can be noticed a little bit inside a freezer also.