Ever pulled a glass out of the dishwasher, taken a sip of water, and—BAM—your nose gets hit with that awful wet dog smell? It's gross, weird, and honestly, a little concerning.

Your dishes are supposed to come out clean, not smelling like a damp pup that just ran through the rain.

If you’ve been wondering what’s causing this funky odor, you’re not alone. It’s a super common issue, and the good news is there’s a simple explanation and an even simpler fix.

In this post, I’ll shed some light on why your dishes smell like wet dog.

Why Do My Dishes Smell Like Wet Dog?

The biggest reason why your dishes smell like wet dog is cooked egg residue.

Yep. Eggs. Specifically cooked eggs, not raw ones.

Weird, right? But there’s actual science behind it. Cooked eggs contain sulfur compounds, and when those compounds get left on your dishes and go through the heat and moisture of a dishwasher cycle, they can create that funky, wet-dog-like stench.

And it’s not just plates - glasses, utensils, and bowls can pick up the smell too.

If your morning omelet leaves little bits of egg on a plate, and that plate gets tossed in the dishwasher without a rinse, the smell can transfer to everything else in there.

Also Read: Dishes Smell After Hand Washing

So, if your dishes always stink after washing, and you eat eggs regularly, this is probably your answer.

But what if you don’t eat eggs that often? Or what if you’ve started rinsing and it’s still happening? There are a few other reasons your dishes might stink. We’ll get to those in a bit, but first, let’s talk about how to get rid of the smell for good.

How To Get Rid Of The Wet Dog Smell From Dishes

Now that we know what’s causing it, here’s exactly how to fix it:

#1. Pre-Rinse or Soak Egg-Covered Dishes

The easiest way to get rid of the wet dog smell is to either pre rinse or soak any egg covered dishes.

Egg particles are stubborn and don’t break down easily, so detergent alone often won’t get the job done.

If you or your family eat eggs often, here’s a simple habit to get into: rinse those eggy plates right after eating. If you can’t wash them right away, at least run some water over them. A couple of minutes in warm, soapy water will help loosen things up.

Also, don’t stack your dirty plates on top of each other - egg residue can transfer to other dishes.

#2. Use A High-Quality Dishwasher Detergent

Not all detergents are created equal. Some struggle with breaking down proteins (like egg), which means they’re just not powerful enough to stop the stink.

If you’re still using basic powder or generic pods, consider switching to something with enzymes. Enzymes break down food residue better, so your dishes come out fresh every time.

Brands like Cascade Platinum or Finish Quantum are great options.

Also, don’t skimp on detergent! If you’re using too little (or using an old, clumpy one that’s been sitting under the sink for months), it won’t be as effective.

#3. Check Your Water Temperature

Hot water is your dishwasher’s best friend. If the water isn’t hot enough, it won’t break down food particles properly, which means leftover residue—and you guessed it—that weird wet dog smell.

Your dishwasher’s water should be at least 120°F (49°C).

If you’re unsure, let your kitchen faucet run on hot for about 30 seconds before starting your dishwasher.

This ensures it fills with hot water right from the start, instead of gradually heating up mid-cycle.

#4. Deep Clean Your Dishwasher

If your dishwasher has built-up gunk, smells aren’t going anywhere. Over time, trapped food, grease, and soap scum can create their own nasty odors that transfer onto dishes.

Here’s a good guide on how to clean it.

Do this once a month to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and working efficiently.

Other Reasons Why Dishes Smell Like Wet Dog

Okay, so maybe you don’t eat eggs all that much, but the smell is still there. What’s going on? Here are a few other things that might be causing it:

Other Food Residue

Eggs aren’t the only food that has sulfur compounds. Things like broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, and even dairy can cause the wet dog smell if they’re not cleaned off properly.

If you’re noticing that smell after certain meals, try giving those plates a quick rinse before loading them in the dishwasher.

Letting food sit on the dishes too long gives it a chance to break down and start stinking.

If you don’t have time to wash right away, soaking your dishes in warm water can help loosen up the leftover food.

Your Dishwasher Is Dirty

Your dishes might look clean, but if your dishwasher is gross, it can be spreading bad smells around.

Things like grease, old food, and mildew can get stuck in there and make everything smell musty.

A good deep clean every now and then can help fix this. Check the filter at the bottom and clean it out regularly. Don’t forget to inspect the spray arms for any gunk and wipe down the door seals where moisture can get trapped.

Hard Water Issues

Another reason behind why your dishes smell like wet dog is hard water.

Hard water can leave mineral deposits on your dishes that trap food particles. This makes it harder for your dishwasher to clean properly and can result in stinky plates.

If you’ve got hard water, a rinse aid like Finish Jet-Dry can help break down those minerals.

You could also install a water softener, which will stop those deposits from building up. Or, if you don’t want to go that route, try running a vinegar rinse every month to clean out any mineral buildup.

Your Dish Cloths Or Sponges Are Dirty

If you hand-wash dishes, there might be bacteria in your sponges.

That bacteria is probably transferring right onto your plates and glasses.

Sponges and dish cloths are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria if they’re not properly cleaned or replaced. So to avoid this, swap out your sponge every couple of weeks (or sooner if it’s getting really gross).

And here’s a fun tip: microwave your sponge for 30 seconds every few days. It kills most of the bacteria and keeps things cleaner.

Your Dish Drainer Has Stagnant Water

Do you air-dry your dishes? If so, check under that drying rack!

Water can get trapped down there, and stagnant water is basically the perfect home for mold and bacteria.

If that’s happening, it could be why your clean dishes are smelling like wet dog.

To fix this, clean your dish drainer regularly, and make sure it dries completely between uses. You could also switch to a drying mat or towel to soak up extra water.

Bottom Line

The “wet dog” smell on your dishes is annoying, but it’s totally fixable.

In most cases, cooked egg residue is the main culprit, and simply rinsing those plates before loading them can make a huge difference.

If you’re still dealing with the smell, take a few extra steps—upgrade your detergent, check your water temperature, and give your dishwasher a deep clean.

If the smell isn’t from eggs, check for other culprits like food residue, hard water, or a dirty sponge.

Why Do My Dishes Smell Like Wet Dog? (Solved)