Dog in My Dishwasher?

Updated on January 25, 2009
S.S. asks from Lake Dallas, TX
11 answers

A couple months ago my washing machine smelled like mildew, and now my dishwasher smells like a dirty wet dog lives inside it. It's horrible and I'm exhausted of these appliances sucking! Any advice?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Amarillo on

run an empty load with full strenght vinegar in the rinse cycle and baking soada where the powder goes if still a problem with vinegar in the place of the liquid detergent. If still an issue run odo ban in it- may get a bit sudsy... if these all fail have no idea!

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hello S.,

once you find the cleaner for your dishwasher and use it... make sure that your machine it's draining all the water out whenever you wash dishes. because that would explain the moldy smell. good luck! ~C.~

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Abilene on

i keep a jug of vinegar under my sink and pour about a cup in it while it's running a load of dishes. it seems to keep it fresh and also it doesn't hurt the dishes being extra sparkily. I do it about every 5 loads or so.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.A.

answers from Amarillo on

Vinegar is the best for removing odors from anything!!! Just run the dishwasher and the washing machine with vinegar in it, itll smell clean and fresh after youre done.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Dallas on

There's a cleaner you can get for your dishwasher. You just run it through a whole cycle with it empty with this stuff in it. I don't remember the name, but it should be in any grocery store with the other dish detergent.

Also, vinegar is supposed to work well, but I'm not sure how much. I would google it to find out.

I've found that if I leave the door cracked on my washing machine when not in use it helps with the mildew smell.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Amarillo on

Fortunately I have a new front load and it has a self clean cycle but it does say to put bleach in it to run the self clean, I usually run 1/2 cup of bleach through my dishwasher every 6 months empty. I do this to my tub drains also because it will break down the hair. I also leave the door open a crack on my washer and dish washer to let it dry out good. The odor could also be backing up from the main drain line in any case the bleach should clean it out and if you run a full cycle but you can skip the dry just open door for that it will rinse it all out and not harm the unit. When you have well water and they flush the sulfer out that is what they use.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Wichita Falls on

Assuming that you've pulled all the food and stuff that can live in that little trap at the bottom out, run a pack of sugar free lemon cool aid as soap on an empty dishwasher.

I like this site:
http://www.repairclinic.com/0088_9_4.asp

Good luck.
S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Lubbock on

S., run some vinagar thru it when its empty, if that doesnt work use a monthly dishwasher cleaner. Use the vinagar once a month and see if it helps first. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Dallas on

That's so funny! Ours smelled like a dead rat awhile back and we discovered that there was standing water back by the filter. My husband pulled it all out and cleaned it and bleached it. We have had our dishwasher three years and first time for that. Really Yuck! :)

Maybe run whites through your washer with lots of bleach too and leave the lid up to be sure it dries well. Might just be some residual water in the basin.

Maybe just pouring some bleach in the base of your dishwasher then running more through while it cycles might save the work from having to pull it out. That's my best guestimate.

Good luck! C.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Amarillo on

Try running a rinse load with just clorox or bleach.no dishes. Then after washing a load of dishes, try proping the door open so it will dry out between dishwashing.Hope this helps, but once I noticed what looked like mold in mine, and did the above and it cleared up.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Try the dishwasher cleaner by Jet Dry and then cycle vinegar through once a month but also check the drain and make sure water isn't standing in there or if you have one of those air valve hoses - required in Ft. Worth, check that too.
As far as the washer, I'm guessing it's a front loader those tabs you can get at Best Buy or Lowes work well but you can also use a combination of 1 cup bleach and 1/2 cup powder dishwasher detergent like Cascade to help get rid of the stench. Put the Cascade in the tub and start the machine then add the bleach through the normal detergent dispenser, run it on the hottest longest setting. Also wipe down the inside of the rubber seal around the door and if you can, leave the door open or at least the detergent dispenser door open. (We have a Neptune and the light will stay on if we leave the door open so I figured out leaving the detergent door open helps some.)

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches