The odour coming out of your dishwasher is smelling like wet dog which can be quite irritating and quite difficult to get rid of. There are some simple ways by which you can get rid of the bad odours coming from your dishes smell like wet dog.
Clear the dishwasher filter
To maintain the filter, take it out of the dishwasher following the maker’s guidelines. Rinse it with warm water to get rid of any noticeable buildup. Employ a gentle brush or toothbrush to remove tough stains. After cleaning, reinsert the filter and run a dishwasher cycle with cleaner or vinegar to remove lingering odours. Consistently cleaning the filter can prevent future odours and maintain the dishwasher’s efficiency.
Clear Dishwasher Drain Filter
If your dishwasher smells like a wet dog, it could mean the drain filter needs cleaning. To fix it, first, get rid of any food bits or gunk with a plunger. Then, pour hot water down the drain and use the plunger again. Finally, run the dishwasher to make sure everything’s clean.
Clear Dishwasher Spray Arm
To maintain the cleanliness of your dishwasher door seal and prevent odour accumulation, follow these simple steps. Begin by clearing out any food particles and debris from the dishwasher. Next, run a full load cycle to remove grease and water residue. Then, use a cloth soaked in a degreaser such as vinegar to wipe down the door seal, ensuring it’s thoroughly dried before reattaching. Finally, consider replacing the door seal every six months to prevent unpleasant odours from permeating your dishwasher
Running Dishwasher cleaning cycle
Occasionally, standard dishwasher cleaning may not suffice, necessitating a dedicated cleaning cycle. This cycle utilises high-pressure hot water to dislodge accumulated dirt, food remnants, and grease, effectively sanitising the interior and eradicating unpleasant odours.
To initiate a cleaning cycle, disconnect the dishwasher from power and fill it with a minimum of 3 cups of water. Set the dishwasher to Wash/Rinse mode and allow it to complete its regular cycles. After completion, deactivate the machine, drain the water, and initiate a cleaning cycle to thoroughly eliminate any remaining dirt, food residue, and grease.
Check the supply Water
If giving your dishwasher a thorough cleaning and running a cycle with cleaning agents doesn’t eliminate the odour problem, further action is necessary. The presence of foul smells in dishwashers is often attributed to contaminated water. Food particles or dirt in the water supply can transfer onto dishes, causing unpleasant odours.
To check for contamination, run a hot water cycle with detergent as usual. If a bad smell persists, it indicates the presence of contamination, and additional measures are required to purify the dishwasher. If using detergent fails to alleviate the issue, seeking professional assistance may be necessary.
Run Vinegar and Baking Soda Cycles
To eliminate lingering odours, run two separate cycles with vinegar and baking soda. Place a bowl filled with distilled white vinegar on the top rack for the first cycle, then pour a cup of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher for the second cycle. This should leave your dishwasher smelling fresh.
Preventive Measures
To avoid your dishwasher smells like wet dog and maintaining a fresh smelling dishwasher by adhering to these tips:
- Scrape and rinse dishes before loading them.
- Clean the drain filter regularly.
- Run occasional vinegar and baking soda cycles to prevent odours.
- Avoid using other hot water appliances while the dishwasher is running to prevent resource diversion.
Can you put bleach in a dishwasher to get rid of the smell?
Bleach can be used to clean a dishwasher by putting half a cup in a dishwasher-safe container and running the machine at the hottest setting. This will kill mould and bacteria trapped inside, but keep in mind bleach also has a strong smell.
Conclusion
These above tips on how to identify and address the source of the smell, such as cleaning the filter and spray arms, using natural deodorizers like vinegar and checking for leaks. Preventive measures to keep the dishwasher odour-free, such as removing food waste before washing, using hot water, and proper loading techniques can keep your dishwasher from smelling like wet dog.