Have you ever taken out a load of dishes from the dishwasher and noticed that they smell bad? Even after they are washed, it is possible that your drinking glasses, for example, smell like what people describe as a wet dog. This can be quite unpleasant, especially if you are thirsty or even worse – if you have guests over.
If you have experienced this embarrassment, you probably know that it is rather hard to get rid of that smell. Maybe you washed them again and even if that helped for the moment, the smell probably returned not long after. The truth is, no matter how many times you wash them, the smell will not go away until you find the source of it. It is not the glasses themselves, nor the dishwasher. Of course, it is a bit of both but the real reason lies somewhere else.
The reason for the smell would be the phosphates which many manufacturers removed from detergents’ chemical composition. Originally, the phosphates soften the water and this is why the other ingredients would work better. As a result of their removal, your dishes and glasses not only smell bad but also look dirty. That hard water film builds up with time and makes your glassware look etched . This particular film is the source of the bad smell. Even if you don’t see it yet, the surface of the residue is rough enough to hold bacteria.
There could be another reason for the bad smell of your glasses. If you have a built-in drying agent in your detergent, you might be experiencing that bad smell too. This type of product leaves a thin layer on your dishes and glassware. This layer acts like car wax and it causes water drops to just roll off it. However, it may also trap bacteria. We would like to share some tips on how to get rid of that smell and also, how to keep it away for good. Keep reading to find out.
Have you noticed that your glasses smell worse if it’s humid outside or if you open your window? That is because warm, humid air provides the perfect breeding conditions for the bacteria trapped between your glasses and that thin layer or drying agent.
Here is how to fix that bad smell:
Controlling the detergents you use would be good, however, most manufacturers do not list all the ingredients they use. That means that trying to avoid detergents containing sheeting or drying agents is not really an option. Depending on how you like to wash your dishes, in the sink or in the dishwasher, you can take different approaches against the bad smells. The best way is to get rid of the buildup, then prevent it from occurring again.
When washing dishes by hand:
- Line the bottom of your sink or basin with a towel and arrange glassware on it.
- Add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar then run the hot water until your glasses are fully submerged.
- Wait around 30 minutes for the vinegar to remove the odour-causing haze, then scrub your glassware with a clean kitchen sponge and rinse very well.
When washing dishes in the dishwasher:
- Pour 2 cups of white distilled vinegar at the bottom of your dishwashing machine.
- Let the machine run its cycle for a couple of minutes, then pause it and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. This way, the vinegar water will have time to dissolve the layer that causes the odour. ( keep in mind that you might need to open your dishwasher door a little bit in order for it to pause).
- After 30 minutes, let your cycle continue as usual.
Here is how you can keep your glasses odour-free once you clean them up:
- Do not overfill your dishwasher’s detergent dispenser. By switching to tablets, you will have better control on the amount of detergent that goes in your dishwasher. If you prefer liquid or powder, make sure you only fill the dispenser up to the indicator line.
- Use vinegar, instead of rinse aid. To prevent hazing in the future, pour white vinegar in your rinse aid reservoir. It works as well as any other commercial product and will save you some money as well.
- Maintain your dishwasher regularly. Cleaning professionals advise to deep clean your dishwasher monthly to prevent mould and bacteria growth. Don’t forget to remove and rinse your filter at least once a week. This way, you will ensure there is no food residue and other grime building up in there.
- Try dishwasher cleaning products. There are some dishwasher cleaners that you can add in the machine, and run an empty cycle with. Others can be added to a load of dishes.
- Give your glasses regular vinegar baths. Wash them with regular dishwashing liquid, then rinse them in a sink of water with 1 or 2 cups of vinegar added to it. Doing this will help clear up any haze residue and ensure that your glasses are stink-free.