If Your Dishes Still Smell After Washing Them, Here’s What You Need to Do

Even if your dishes look visibly clean, you may notice they still smell like your last meal or drink, even after you wash them. Lingering odors on dishes, cookware, and plastic containers are caused by microbes clinging to the surfaces. These stubborn odors can happen whether you hand wash dishes or use a dishwasher. But, don’t worry, you can get rid of the funky smell with some common household products. Here’s how to both get rid of lingering odors on dishes and prevent the problem from happening again.

Ways to Get Rid of Odors on Dishes

Rewash the Dishes

Properly washing dishes with hot water and a good quality dishwashing liquid that contains a degreasing agent should remove the odor-causing film and food particles clinging to the dishes. To do so, fill a sink or plastic tub with hot water and add the dishwashing liquid. After washing with a clean sponge or soft-bristled brush, rinse the dishes with hot water to remove all soapy residue. Place in a drying rack to air dry. Do not store the dishes until they are thoroughly dry.

Do a Vinegar Soak

Vinegar can also do wonders to tackle stubborn odors. Fill a plastic container with a 50:50 solution of distilled white vinegar and warm water. Add the dishes and let them soak for at least one hour. Drain the soaking solution and rinse the dishes well with hot water. Air dry in a drying rack.

Scrub with Baking Soda

Another odor-fighting option is baking soda. Make a paste of baking soda and water in a small bowl. Use 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of water. Dip a soft-bristled brush in the paste and scrub all surfaces of the dishes, plastic containers, or cookware. Let the paste sit for up to an hour and then rinse the dishes well in hot water. Air dry in a drying rack.

How to Prevent Lingering Odors on Dishes

Clean Your Dishwasher and Sink

Odors from the dishwasher can cling to dishes. A dishwasher should be cleaned at least four times a year, more often if you don’t scrape dishes before loading. Take extra time to clean the dishwasher filter and be sure the drain line is not clogged.

A dirty sink can also redeposit grime on dishes. Clean your sink, run the garbage disposal, and flush the sink drain daily to get rid of bacteria that can cause odors. Don’t forget to clean dishwashing tools like brushes, sponges, and cloths after each use, and replace sponges every one to two weeks.

Load and Unload a Dishwasher Properly

Overcrowding the dishwasher when adding dirty dishes can leave some surfaces unclean. Load the dishwasher properly and unload it promptly. If left closed and filled with dishes (even clean ones), mold and mildew can form and transfer odors to the dishes.

Use Hot Water

Whether handwashing dishes or using the dishwasher, hot water is essential to remove greasy oils and buildup from dishes. Be sure your water heater is set high enough for your dishwasher and for handwashing.

It’s also a good idea to monitor the quality of your water supply. Bacteria and mineral levels in water can affect the cleaning ability of soaps, detergents, and appliances. If you live in an area with high levels of minerals (hard water), consider adding a water-softening system to improve cleaning efficacy.

Use a Good Quality Dishwashing Liquid

Your dishwashing liquid should contain a degreaser to help get dishes squeaky clean. Read product labels for surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) that effectively suspend grease and oil in the hot water to be drained away.

Store Dishes Properly

Regularly clean cabinets and storage areas to remove greasy residue from cooking that traps odor-causing molecules. Never put dishes away while they are damp to prevent mold and mildew from forming. 

Dispose of Cracked Dishes

Cracks in plastic or ceramic dishes can harbor bacteria that cause odor. Dispose of chipped, cracked, or damaged dishes.