The invention relates to a method for removing odorous substances from laundry items (3) in a clothes dryer, wherein the clothes dryer comprises a suds container (1), a drum (2) that is rotatably mounted in the suds container for receiving laundry items (3), a control device (18), and a process air channel (5) in which a heater (7) for heating air, a blower (6), and a heat exchanger (8) are situated, comprising the steps of: (a) generating a warm air flow in that air is heated by means of the heater (7) in the process air channel (5) and is transported by means of the blower (6); (b) introducing an aqueous liquid (11) via the heat exchanger (8) into the suds container (1) at a quantity that is not sufficient for the drum (2) to be immersed in the aqueous liquid (11); (c) heating the aqueous liquid (11) by bringing same into contact with the warm air flow; (d) generating a water vapor flow (17) by at least partially evaporating the aqueous liquid (11); and (e) bringing the water vapor flow (17) into contact with the laundry items (3). The invention further relates to a clothes dryer suitable for carrying out said method.