The unpleasant smell from your dishes, similar to a wet dog, results from either tainted water, bacteria buildup or residual detergent, notably phosphate, not thoroughly washed away. Should your water contain impurities, it may give a bad smell to your dishes, glasses, and utensils with odours. As dishware ages, tiny openings often form, creating an ideal setting for food debris to decompose and generate foul odours. Residual phosphate in your dishwashing detergent can cling to surfaces, resulting in bad smell.
Utilise water testing kits to identify any contaminants in your water supply. If issues arise, promptly notify your local water authority. For older dishes suspected of nurturing bacteria in cracks, soak them in a tub of hot water with a bleach for at least an hour. Thoroughly rinse and rewash with dishwashing detergent.
Why do dishes emit an unpleasant smell like wet dog after hand washing?
Common factors that contribute to the bad smell are:
Contaminated Water
The smell of water is a frequent occurrence, often originating from various sources. It may result from chemicals added during water treatment or contaminants like algae, sulphur or bacteria in the water lines. This unpleasant smell can persist even after hand washing dishes, typically more noticeable with dishwashers and dishwasher smells like wet dog.
Composition of Dishware
The composition of your dishware matters. Plastic dishes can emit unpleasant odours and are challenging to fix. Scratches on plastic, even tiny ones, can nurture bacteria, causing foul smells. Glassware is open to scratching and bacterial buildup too. Even stainless steel cookware can develop odours. Thus, there is no perfect material that doesn’t emit some kind of smell.
Pre-soaking the dishes
Some individuals pre-soak their dirty dishes in the sink, sometimes using dish soap, prior to washing, potentially resulting in an unpleasant smell that is similar to a wet dog smell. Allowing dishes to soak in water creates a bacterial breeding ground due to food particles breaking down, increasing the likelihood of odour. Even brief soaking periods can contribute to bad smells, while an unclean sink can transfer odour to dishes and sponges, making them difficult to smell fresh and clean.
A soiled kitchen sponge
Using a sponge post-meal, particularly after consuming garlic dishes, often results in lingering odours. Hence, it’s advisable to prioritise dishwashing as the final chore. However, the problem extends beyond garlic’s aroma, an inadequately cleansed or dirty sponge can harbour substantial bacteria, subsequently imparting foul smells to dishes
How to Get Rid of The Smell Out of Dishes?
Check the water
To address water purification concerns, exploring professional plumbing inspections may help, and testing water from hand-washed dishes versus laboratory results can determine odour sources accurately.
Use of best material Dishware
Consider using glass or alternative materials instead of plastic. Stainless steel is another viable option. If your dinnerware is significantly worn, it might nurture bacteria, leading to an unpleasant odour similar to wet dog. Replace it with a new plate and check if the odour persists after washing.
Don’t pre- soak the dishes
To maintain hygiene, avoid leaving dishes to soak in the sink and refrain from washing them in used water. Always use fresh running water for cleaning. Additionally, ensure the sink remains clean by wiping it after each use with a suitable detergent.
Replacing soiled kitchen sponge
Ensure the soiled kitchen sponge is sanitised before you rinse the dishes with it. While thorough cleaning may be adequate on occasion, occasionally it’s necessary to replace the sponge altogether. Keep in mind that despite efforts to revive a stinky kitchen sponge, it may not always return to its original state. Change out any foul-smelling sponges promptly.
How does vinegar help in cleaning dishes?
Use of Phosphate in detergent is banned, which means the detergent sticks up to the dishes even after thoroughly washed. While eliminating phosphates offers environmental advantages, it leads to unpleasant odours and a cloudy residue on your dishes and glassware.
To remedy this, incorporate white vinegar into the dishwashing routine. Soak dishes and glasses in a tub of water. In the dishwasher, position a bowl upright on the top rack and pour 1 to 2 cups of vinegar into it before running a regular cycle.
Conclusion
By simply checking on the smell of water and using glass and steel make dishware that needs to be cleaned and rinsed by a fresh kitchen sponge on a daily basis, you can have clean and fresh dishes that will never smell like wet dog after hand washing.