Ever Wonder Why Your Clean Dishes Smell Like A Wet Dog? Here's What It Means

Nothing is worse than opening up your dishwasher full of supposedly clean dishes and being hit with that strange smell, especially when your favorite cup just got washed in the musty appliance. You may be worried that your machine needs a costly replacement, but luckily, if you're willing to do some detective work, your current dishwasher should be alright. Whether you hand wash or use the dishwasher, your first task is to find the source of the wet dog smell and get started on the solution. If you hand wash, you may be inadequately washing and rinsing, or your hard water is to blame. If it is the dishwasher, your appliance likely just needs a good cleaning, although it could have a damaged drain.

One of the first reason for a wet dog smell to consider is cooked egg residue and other foods with sulfur compounds, like garlic and onions. If this is your culprit, scrape all the food into the trash before putting your dishes in the sink and soak them before loading. When handwashing, look out for the signs it is time to throw out your kitchen sponge, such as a bad smell. Dirty rags and sponges can spread around a mildew smell and bacteria if you do not wash and dry them well between uses. Finally, suppose you notice a wet dog smell and have hard water; the two may be related, as minerals in hard water feed bacteria that make your tap water smell. Hard water in the dishwasher can also result in smelly dishes after washing, but you should first check that your appliance's drain is not clogged or damaged. 

If you encounter a wet dog smell when you open your dishwasher after running a cycle, there could be a few potential reasons. You may be dealing with a clogged filter, build-up of grease or food, standing water or mildew, or a broken drain. To determine a cause, first check your dishwasher's manual. If your dishwasher has a maintenance-free filter, you can assume it's not clogged. Next, remove your dishwasher's bottom panel and look for water damage on the floor indicating drainage problems. If you do not see signs of water on the floor, try to solve your problem by thoroughly cleaning your dishwasher, which would remove the smell caused by built-up grease and food, standing water, mold, or mildew. Plus, even if you later determine that this isn't the cause, regularly cleaning your dishwasher is a must for cleanliness and efficiency.

Cleaning your dishwasher, including its filter, can help get rid of any strange smells. First, take out the racks and utensil holders and wash them by soaking them in a sink of vinegar and water, wiping them down, and rinsing them to remove buildup. Clean the interior, filter, and drain according to your dishwasher manual's instructions. Rinse thoroughly. Finally, check for mold and mildew, particularly around seals, cleaning with soap and warm water before drying them with a rag.

If you inspected your dishcloths, ruled out hard water, and thoroughly cleaned your dishwasher, a couple of other things may be causing a wet dog smell. Try checking your garbage disposal, as a clog there can impact your dishwasher's drainage and lead to a smell that can transfer to your dishes. Also, look for small bits of food in the sprayer arms, jets, and bottom of your dishwasher, and remove debris with this toothpick hack to keep your dishwasher working like new. If your wet dog smell seems related to mildew, try leaving the dishwasher door cracked open between cycles rather than sealing all the water inside.

If the smell is persistent and you cannot identify a cause by yourself, it may be time to call a professional to take a look at the appliance and find any potential leaks, clogs, or other issues. A wet dog smell on your dishes is typically not dangerous to you, but it may suggest a larger problem, such as a clog deeper in your plumbing that would be better left to a professional appliance technician or plumber. Finally, make sure you try to troubleshoot common dishwasher problems before they become bigger issues to reduce future smells and keep your dishwasher in good shape for spotless and odor-free dishes.