This is a thing with every dishwasher I’ve had, some models seem better than other. You wash the dishes and when they dry, they have a musty odor I can only describe as “wet dog”. Other people often don’t seem to notice this, so maybe I am just sensitive to it. Though if I point it out, then they smell it.

I have tried:

  • Cleaning every nook and cranny of the dishwasher and filter
  • Running with orange kool-aid/citric acid/lemishine in dispenser after each wash (works decently well)
  • Running a rinse w white vinegar after each cycle (this works the best so far)
  • Making sure dishes air dry instead of dry inside the dishwasher (always do this, helps a bit)

In all instances where this happens, the dishes are clean and don’t have food stuck to them or floating around in the water.

Has anybody else fought this problem? What worked for you?

  • Posting this as a top level comment as well for visibility.

    The tablets are a scam.

    Ridiculously detailed video about them here.

    The TL;DW is: use powder over tablets, and fill both the main detergent section AND the prewash section (or just throw a little extra powder in loose)

    Also, run the hot water before turning it on
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