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?
- jkibble ( @jkibble@lemmy.ca ) English64•4 months ago
Oh oh, finally something I can comment on!
I’ve replaced a number of dishwashers and in every case like this the drain hose, under the dishwasher, had a low spot where water then mold collected.
It’s usually pretty easy to check. Most dishwashers are secured with a couple of screws to the counter top or sides. Once those are removed it should be easy to slide it out. Probably best to look up a YT video on it. But if that’s the problem the drain hose is a dime a dozen, don’t try and clean it. You’ll know if it’s the source of the smell pretty quickly.
Now this is a suggestion I haven’t heard before, thank you I will look into this!
- doc ( @doc@kbin.social ) 7•4 months ago
This is so close to being right. You want your drain hose to have a high loop before it connects with the drain pipe. This site has more info and clear pictures.
https://homeinspectiongeeks.com/what-is-a-dishwasher-high-loop-and-why-do-you-need-one/
- jkibble ( @jkibble@lemmy.ca ) English4•4 months ago
Oh, I hadn’t heard of that. Of course that makes perfect sense though.
- fjordo ( @fjordo@feddit.uk ) 7•4 months ago
Saving this for future me with wet dog smelling dishwasher. Thanks for the tip!
- marketsnodsbury ( @marketsnodsbury@lemm.ee ) 3•4 months ago
This is awesome! So I get replace the hose, but then do you prop up the new one so there’s no low point for water to collect? Or will it just be an ongoing issue and need periodic replacement?
- jkibble ( @jkibble@lemmy.ca ) English3•4 months ago
I can really depend on how the hose can be situated. Oftentimes the hose runs into a cabinet next to it and into the sink drain. Frequently just adjusting that under the sink is enough.
Also the hoses are intentionally too long so you can attach the hose before putting the washer under the cabinet. Making sure to take up the slack is the important part
But sometimes yeah you can’t and just have to replace the hose every once and a while. If you use the washer frequently enough, like at least once a week it should be fine for years
- averyminya ( @averyminya@beehaw.org ) 1•4 months ago
Sounds like we need a string tied to it attached to a lever!
- hollyberries ( @hollyberries@programming.dev ) 9•4 months ago
I have the same issue and eventually gave up and got whats called a “verfrisser” in Dutch. I suppose it translates to “refresher”? Its a little thing that hangs on the rack that keeps it smelling fresh. One is good for 60 washes, or 2 months. The one I have is made by “finish” and was €2 for 2.
My apartment also has extremely hard water so I also run it empty at max temperature with a descaling powder once a month. I find the smell is greatly reduced for a few days after descaling. That may be why youre smelling it less when using the vinegar rinse.
- Kraiden ( @Kraiden@kbin.social ) 7•4 months ago
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
reply - Ivy Raven ( @IvyRaven@midwest.social ) 6•4 months ago
To help with smell in the washer we keep the liquid soap tray open after we finish using it. And leave the lid open most of the time. It seems to keep humidity down and the smell went away almost instantly.
- intensely_human ( @intensely_human@lemm.ee ) 5•4 months ago
If your dishwasher has a musty odor it is harboring bacteria that will fuck up your mental health. I forget the name of the bacteria but it starts with an A and its airborne products can give you chronic inflammation.
That problem goes so much deeper than funky smelling dishes. It’s a threat to your health.
Same for any part of your home that produces this smell. It’s not to be taken lightly.
- phillaholic ( @phillaholic@lemm.ee ) 3•4 months ago
So what, nuke it and start over? How do we destroy the bacteria and still have the majority of our walls standing?!
- Akasazh ( @Akasazh@feddit.nl ) 1•4 months ago
Good info
- neidu2 ( @neidu2@feddit.nl ) 4•4 months ago
Splash the insides with vinegar, run it, toss in some baking soda, run it again.
And keep it at least partially open most of the time when not in use
- pt99 ( @pt99@lemmy.one ) 3•4 months ago
Are you taking out the filter and removing all the food bits?
Yes. And I have experienced this on dishwashers that don’t have filters as well.
- abuttandahalf ( @abuttandahalf@lemmy.ml ) 3•4 months ago
I don’t put certain things like dishes that contacted raw eggs in the dishwasher so that won’t happen. I’m still learning what the optimal way to use a dishwasher is though. This smell has a name in Arabic, زنخة (zanakha).
- mub ( @mub@lemmy.ml ) 4•4 months ago
“I don’t put certain things like” . . . I expect you to say “dogs”.
- DeltaTangoLima ( @DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com ) English2•4 months ago
I’m pretty sure my wife ran an empty cycle (no dishes, no detergent) with half a lemon in the cutlery basket. She seemed pretty happy with the outcome.
- Altima NEO ( @altima_neo@lemmy.zip ) English2•4 months ago
They sell those little dishwasher tablets that help clean inside. Its a bit fragrant, so it smells nice for a few days too.
- FatAdama ( @FatAdama@programming.dev ) 2•4 months ago
I’ve had success with Jet Dry and Cascade Platinum plus pods. Our filter gets super gross after about 10 cycles. Between cleaning out the filter often and running those two product combos, we don’t really have a smelly washer. My other thought was your water quality. We have a whole house water softener. Have you tested to see if you have super hard water? This ruins appliances. Simple test can be bought on Amazon.
- LanternEverywhere ( @LanternEverywhere@kbin.social ) 2•4 months ago
Those rinse cycle products are bad for you, so I’ve heard.
I’ve been wondering if it might be a water hardness/softness things. I’ve experienced this in several different cities, but it’s possible they all had either hard or soft water.
- TexMexBazooka ( @TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee ) 1•4 months ago
Run an empty cycle with a bunch of bleach.