Dishwasher makes everything smell like 'wet dog' — Reddit says check the drain hose first

A dishwasher that leaves plates, cups, and silverware smelling like "wet dog" might seem to call for a different detergent, but Reddit users said the more likely issue could be how the unit drains.

Here's what to know

In a post on Reddit, a user described an odor problem affecting a dishwasher that had seen very little use.

"Dishwasher is new and been used possibly 20 times and installed correctly," the OP said.

They said they had already tried several basic fixes — including swapping detergents, checking the filter, and rinsing dishes before loading — but still reported that "everything smells of Wet Dog."

Instead of focusing on soap, users largely pointed to the drain setup. One person said the hose should run upward in a "high loop" before dropping back down to the sink drain.

Otherwise, "IF someone just ran the drain into cabinet and directly to sink drain without the 'loop' up, you'll get obnoxious odors from dirty water making it's way back into dishwasher," the commenter explained.

One user responded, "Wow, this makes so much sense!"

Another added, "You should be able to see the loop under the sink without pulling the dishwasher out. Easy fix."

The OP noted that their machine was not a standard built-in model: "Mine is a tabletop dishwasher and the hose goes straight in the sink," which means the usual under-sink high-loop explanation may not fit every setup.

More background

If dirty water is able to move back toward the dishwasher, changing scents or detergent formulas is unlikely to fix the source of the odor.

Users also suggested the smell might be coming from residue collecting inside the appliance. Several recommended more frequent filter cleaning along with an empty cleaning cycle.

One user said, "You need to clean the filter and then run a clean cycle. This happens over time when debris builds up in the filter. It is normal. But so is regular maintenance."

Another suggestion was that the OP could be rinsing dishes too thoroughly before putting them in the machine.

"Something to consider is pre-washing or over rinsing will reduce the amount of cleaning time, it really best to load dishes wiped down and not rinsed," the user said.

A smelly dishwasher can lead people to rerun cycles, buy multiple cleaning products, or wash by hand, all of which waste time, water, and money.

What can be done?

For a standard built-in dishwasher, the simplest no-cost step is to inspect the drain hose routing and confirm that it rises high before it connects to the sink drain.

For a tabletop model that empties directly into the sink, the OP said the hose goes straight into the sink, so the standard under-sink high-loop advice may not fully explain the issue.

After that, regular filter cleaning and an empty cleaning cycle are the next low-cost steps.

Before buying specialty products, the OP said vinegar or citric acid were among the remaining options to try.

Where can I learn more?

A dishwasher is supposed to make your life easier, not more inconvenient. These stories look at ways to keep your dishwasher working well. 

• Regular filter cleaning can save energy and help keep dishwasher residue from building up.

• A dishwasher scientist says you should never make common loading mistakes that hurt performance.

• A real-life dishwasher scientist shows how to make your dishwasher work better with simpler habits.

• An appliance expert shares the most efficient way to avoid wasted water and dirty dishes.

• Choosing your dishwasher instead of the sink saves water, energy, and time on routine loads.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.