Many people are familiar with the problem of “dishwasher deodorant”: the machine isn’t switched on for a day and when you open the door it smells so bad that it can hit a sensitive stomach. One reason for this can of course simply is food leftovers that are on the dishes and spoil within a short time. A bad odor then spreads throughout the machine – and escapes when the door is opened. But there are other reasons and possible solutions.
Dishwasher wash too cold
Modern dishwashers usually have a bio or eco-program. These programs are significantly shorter than those specified for normally soiled crockery. However, the bacteria that are in the dishwasher are not killed at just 20 or 30 °C and feel very comfortable in the warm and humid environment. They multiply and bring a foul smell with them. As a remedy, it is easy to switch on the full wash program from time to time, which rinses longer and hotter. Bacteria are thus reliably killed and removed.
Little tricks for the dishwasher
To help against a bad smell from the dishwasher, you can also hang a kind of scented tree in the machine. Everyone knows something like this from cars, where the little trees dangle from the rear-view mirror and exude a more or less pleasant scent. Such deodorant trees are also available for the dishwasher.
It is also helpful to use a liquid cleaner from time to time.
The remains of dishwashing tabs, which have not completely dissolved despite all the promises, can also cause a bad smell. In addition, there are cleaners that are specially designed for use without dishes. They are placed in the machine, which is then turned on for an extra rinse. The cleaners ensure that drains and hoses are properly cleaned and freed from deposits.
Of course, the sieve must also be cleaned regularly. It can also be helpful never to close the dishwasher door completely so that the ventilation ensures that unpleasant odors do not multiply. If you are alone, a dishwasher is usually not worthwhile. The dishes must then be cleaned to such an extent that they are completely free of food residues – even the smallest stains – so that no odor develops over the course of a week so that it makes more sense to wash the dishes by hand.
