Do your glass cups smell bad after washing them? Maybe they come out of the dishwasher smelling like wet dogs.It’s annoying when you notice something wrong while drinking from them, and it could be embarrassing if guests notice the smell too. Even after trying different things to fix it, the problem didn’t go away and it got worse on hot days, especially with the windows open. The softer water makes the detergent work better, but not using fabric softener made it harder to clean, and washing aid trapped moisture and caused bacterial odour. Hard water makes it even worse by letting bacteria grow in tiny scratches on the glasses and dishes.
To prevent the dishwasher smells like wet dog, use vinegar to get rid of the bad smell. Soaking the glasses in hot water and vinegar, then scrubbing and drying them well or putting vinegar in smelly glasses and running them through the dishwasher, then cleaning the dishwasher.
What causes glass cups to smell like wet dogs?
When water glasses smell like wet dogs it can be quite annoying. The causes for your glass cups smelling bad are:
Detergent
Dishwashing detergent, though intended to cleanse water glasses, can lead to odour issues. Many liquid detergents now omit phosphates, which were once included for enhanced cleaning. The US Environmental Protection Agency mandated the removal of phosphates due to their contribution to algae blooms in water bodies. This removal has compromised the efficacy of dishwashing detergents. Consequently, a cloudy film may develop on water glasses over time, fostering bacterial growth and resulting in unpleasant smells.
Drying Agents
Many individuals use drying agents or rinse-aid when washing glasses and dishes. These products leave a thin layer on the glass, making water form small beads that easily slide off.
How to fix a bad smell
To address unpleasant odours, start by examining the cleaning products you utilise. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not fully disclose their ingredients, making it challenging to avoid those containing potentially problematic components like detergents or drying agents. Depending on your dishwashing preferences- sink versus dishwasher, you can employ varying strategies to combat odours effectively.
Ultimately, the most effective approach involves eliminating residue buildup and implementing preventive measures to deter future occurrences.
Washing Glass Cups by hand
Line the bottom of the sink or basin with a towel and place a glass jar on it. Add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar, then add hot water until the glasses are completely submerged.
Wait about 30 minutes for the vinegar to remove the odour mist, then clean the glassware with a clean kitchen sponge and rinse well.
Washing Glass Cups in the dishwasher
Add two cups of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher. Run the machine for a few minutes, stop and let it run for 20-30 minutes. Thus, the vinegar has time to dissolve the odour-causing layer. (note that you may need to open the dishwasher slightly to stop this).
Allow your cycle to resume normally after 30 minutes.
After cleaning- How to keep the Glasses smell- free
Don’t put too much detergent in the dishwasher. Try vinegar instead of fabric softener. Pour white vinegar into the container for rinsing to prevent cloudiness. It works just like any other commercial product and saves you money too.
Maintain the dishwasher regularly. Cleaning professionals recommend deep cleaning your dishwasher monthly to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. Remember to remove and wash the filter at least once a week. This way you make sure that there is no accumulation of food residues or other dirt.
There are some laundry detergents that you can add to the machine and run the vacuum cycle. Others can be added to the cup.
Soak your glasses regularly in a vinegar bath. Wash them with regular dish soap and then rinse them in a bowl of water with 1 or 2 cups of vinegar. This will help remove any remaining fog and ensure the glasses are odour free.
Conclusion
The issue of dishes, particularly glasses, having a bad smell even after being washed in the dishwasher The smell is attributed to the absence of phosphates in detergents, which are used to soften water and aid in cleaning. Additionally, a built-in drying agent in detergents can contribute to the smell by trapping. Eliminating the smell and preventing its recurrence by adding white vinegar in daily cleaning and following the above mentioned cleaning process would help you to keep your glass cups free from any smell like wet dog.