I love cooking and baking, but my favorite part is creating new dishes. I’m always looking for new recipes to try out and explore. There’s nothing worse than coming home to a kitchen that smells like a dog. Unfortunately, this is an all too common occurrence, and it can be pretty frustrating. There are a few reasons why your dishes may smell like wet dogs.
Have you noticed that your dishes always smell like wet dogs? Dishes often smell like a wet dog because of a few common reasons. We will discuss the six most common causes of dish odor and their solutions. So don’t wait any longer – read on to learn everything you need to know about solving dish odor problems.
6 Causes To My Dishes Smell Like Wet Dog
Cleaning your kitchen can be daunting, but it’s worth it when your dishes don’t smell like wet dogs. Dirty dishes can cause your dishware to smell like a wet dog, and poor airflow in the kitchen can lead to a musty odor. A few things can cause your dishes to smell like wet dogs. Here are six of the most common:
1. Dirty Dishwasher
One of the most common reasons dishes smell bad is because of dirty dishwashers. Not washing your dishes properly can lead to food particles, soap residue, and other contaminants getting left on your dishes. Leftover water from cleaning can also cause mold and mildew growth, which will give your dishwashing detergent nothing to work with and results in an over-scented dishwasher.
To avoid this issue, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your dishwasher (including cleaning the filters!), use a quality dishwashing detergent that doesn’t contain chlorine bleach, and run the dishwasher on the hottest water setting possible.
2. Bad Odor Detergent
Another cause of bad dish odor is using an over-the-counter odorless detergent that doesn’t wash your dishes well. Not only will this product not leave your dishes clean, but it may also contain chlorine bleach which can create an unpleasant smell in the kitchen.
To avoid this issue, try using a milder soap or switching to bar soap instead of liquid soap – both of which are more effective at cleaning dirty dishes without leaving behind odors or residues.
3. Overcooked Or Burnt Food
If your dishes consistently smell bad, it may be because you’re cooking your food too hot or burning it. This can release smells like cooking oil and gas into the air, eventually finding their way onto your dishware.
To avoid this issue, cook food slowly over low heat to minimize the chances of overcooking or burning it. Ensure all kitchen appliances – from the stovetop to the dishwasher – are in working order and cleaned properly.
4. Spoiled Milk
Another smell that often lingers on dishes is that spoiled milk. This smell can cause by a number of things, most notably if your food is contaminated with bacteria that produce lactic acid.
To avoid this issue, make sure that all of your food is properly washed and prepared before you cook or eat it. Dispose of wet foods in the garbage instead of the sink (where they can drip wet onto dishes), and store leftovers in the refrigerator where they’ll stay fresh and free from bad smells.
5. Pets
One of the most common causes of bad dish odor is a dog or dog urine. If your pet regularly soils their bed, rug, or food dish – particularly if they do it on hard surfaces like porcelain tile – the smell will follow.
To prevent this issue, keep your pets indoors and ensure that all their food and water dishes are clean and sealed so they can’t get wet and start to smell.
6. Garbage
If garbage smells bad, chances are that it’s because of food waste inside your garbage can. When food decomposes, it produces methane (a particularly potent gas that releases unpleasant odors) and other bad smells.
To prevent this issue, compost properly and keep your garbage can tightly sealed, so the smell doesn’t escape!
6 Solutions To My Dishes Smell Like Wet Dog
It’s hard to keep your kitchen smelling nice. That’s because food spoilage and pet hair can cause dishes to smell like wet dogs.
If you’re experiencing dishes that smell like wet dogs, there are probably a few things that you can do to solve the problem. Here are six solutions to help:
Clean The Filter
A dirty filter is one of the most common culprits of bad dishwasher smells. So it’s highly important to check this once a month and replace it if necessary. Cleaning all parts of the dishwasher using a mild soap solution will help wash away any odor-causing particles.
Alternatively, vinegar or baking soda can also use as effective dishwashing detergents – just be sure to dry them thoroughly before storing them away! And last but not least, make sure your dishes are fully loaded into the dishwasher so water doesn’t overflow and reaches potentially odor-producing areas.
Clean The Drain Filter
Keeping your drain clear and the kitchen sink drain free of food debris is one way to reduce the smell of bad odor. Keeping a bowl of vinegar in your refrigerator is also a good idea to deal with fridge or freezer smells.
Apart from cleaning surfaces that come into contact with food, you can also use deodorizing sprays such as Febreze and Citrus Magic to eliminate bad bacteria.
Clean The Door Seal
Cleaning the door seal of your dishwasher is an important task to ensure a proper cleaning cycle. Ensure the dishwasher is properly calibrated and clean all interior surfaces before using it. If dishes are left in the dishwasher, run a full cycle with a water-repelling agent to eliminate any bad odor.
Finally, wipe down all surfaces inside and out before you return your dishwasher to its rightful place – usually on top of the washing machine.
Clean The Spray Arm
Cleaning the spray arm on your dishwasher is important to ensure that your dishes and silverware are clean. In addition, dirty dishes left on the plate will attract bad bacteria and make your food smell terrible. To avoid water pooling and to make your kitchen messy, keep it clean by using a dishwashing detergent specifically designed for stainless steel surfaces. You can also run a cleaning cycle with hot water and baking soda every month to eliminate lingering food smells.
Run A Cleaning Cycle
One way to eliminate odor problems in the house is by cleaning all of the surfaces affected – dishwasher, kitchen counters, stovetops, and appliances. Next, scrub these areas clean with a non-scouring sponge. If there are any food residues, run a cleaning cycle on your dishwasher.
Meanwhile, make sure everything in your garbage disposal (e.g., leftovers, grease) clears out and that there’s no animal feces or food particles in drains or at the base of water heaters/pipes near windows and doors – this can cause bad smells to spread throughout your home.
Contaminated Water
Contaminated water is a major health and environmental concern. It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and more. Here are some tips to help you avoid contaminated water:
- Make sure your water is free of chlorine and other chemicals, including tap water and municipal sewage systems.
- Foul-smelling dishwater may be caused by various things – bad food, bad hygiene, etcetera. Check the drainage to ensure there isn’t anything blocking the system before washing the dishes.
- Try adding baking soda to the washing machine as an extra cleaning agent; it will help rid the dishwasher of odor buildup quickly!
- Finally, if all else fails, it might be time for a new dishwasher.
Conclusion
One of the most common smells people describes as “smelly” is that of a wet dog. This smell is caused by urine and feces mixed, and it’s incredibly unpleasant. It’s also pretty hard to avoid, as the wet dog tends to happen when dogs go for walks in the rain or snow. If you’re noticing that your dishes are starting to smell bad, it might be because of how you wash them. Most people use too much soap and water when washing their dishes, which causes the soap to foam and create a soapy smell.
If you’re struggling to get your dishwashing routine down, you might be experiencing the dreaded smell of wet dogs. No matter the cause, we’ve covered you with our comprehensive list of solutions. From cleaning your dishwasher to cleaning your kitchen countertop, we’ve got you covered. Get started cleaning your dishes like a pro today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Could Be Causing The Sulfur Smell Coming From Some Of My Kitchen Appliances?
The sulfur smell that some people notice coming from kitchen appliances could be from a dishwasher drain hose, dishwasher water lines, garbage disposal, damaged/clogged water heater, or faulty refrigerator. To temporarily eliminate the smell, you can try cleaning the dishwasher drain hose and dishwasher waterlines, cleaning the garbage disposal, and checking for any water leakage. If the problem persists, you may have to replace certain appliances.
2. Can’t Find An Answer To Any Of Your Questions Related To Your Dish Smells?
If you are having trouble with dish smells or your dishwasher isn’t cleaning your dishes as well as it should, here are a few things you can try.
- Check if your dishwasher’s filter needs to clean. A dirty filter may cause bad dish smells.
- Make sure you use the correct amount of detergent for the load size. Overloading your dishwasher can result in your dishes not getting clean.
- Clean food particles stuck in crevices or drain lines. This will help to reduce the number of food smells that end up coming from your dishwasher.
- Clean the door seal and other gaskets regularly. These dishwasher parts can become clogged over time and cause bad odor buildup.
- Consider using a dishwasher cleaner or deodorizer. These products break down odor-causing compounds, so they don’t smell as bad.
3. Is There Anything I Can Do To Prevent Food From Sticking To My Dishes And Making A Mess?
To prevent food from sticking to your dishes, follow these simple tips:
- Wash your dishes in hot water with dish soap. This will eliminate any food particles or grease that may be present.
- Use a soft sponge or cloth to avoid scratching the surface of the dishes.
- Rinse off the dishes completely after washing and dry them immediately with a clean towel.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals as they can damage the finish of your dishes.
- Utilize nonstick cookware for food that is prone to sticking. This will help to prevent food from sticking to the cookware and making a mess.
4. Could The Smell Of My Dishes Be Due To Water Not Being Properly Heated?
It is possible that the smell of your dishes could be due to water not being properly heated. This is because bacteria can grow rapidly in warm and humid environments, so temperatures below 140°F can cause bacteria to multiply.
If the water temperature is too low, the detergent may not dissolve properly and leave a residue on the dishes. Additionally, check if your dishwasher’s thermostat needs adjusting or replacing.
5. How Can I Eliminate That “Wet Dog” Odor My Dishes Seem To Perpetually Emit?
There are a few things that you can do to reduce the “wet dog” odor your dishes emit.
- Clean your dishwasher regularly. Dishwashers produce more smells due to bacteria and food particles buildup over time.
- Check the gasket of the dishwasher to ensure it is not cracked or damaged. If the gasket is damaged, water can leak and wet the dishware inside the dishwasher, leading to the smell.
- Use vinegar and baking soda to clean the inside of your dishwasher. Vinegar is a natural cleaner that can help remove food particles and bacteria from the dishwasher’s interior.
- Run a cycle with a dishwashing detergent specifically designed to target odors.
