Dishes that smell fishy may not be as clean as you think.
A fishy odor on your dishes indicates that they may not be as clean as you think because odors are often caused by bacteria. While this may not always be harmful, eating or drinking from something that smells fishy is unpleasant. To eliminate the odor, inspect and clean the tools and appliances you use to clean your dishes. Often the smell originates in your dishwasher, on your cleaning cloths, or in your water supply.
Dishcloth or Sponge
Bacteria will grow anywhere it has moisture and warmth. A dishcloth or sponge that needs to be replaced contains not only moisture, but also food residue and bacteria, which causes an odor that can pass to your dishes. If you wash your dishes daily, sponges should be replaced at least once each month. In between washings, clean sponges either in the dishwasher or in a hot water and bleach solution. Cloths should be cleaned with the rest of your laundry at least once each week and rinsed with hot water between washings. Don't clean tables and counters with the same cloth you use to clean your dishes, and hang dish towels to prevent mildew from forming.
Dishwasher Filter
Dishwasher odor can cause your dishes to smell even after a wash cycle. Food collecting in the filter will develop a musty or fishy odor over time. To eliminate the odor, clean or replace your dishwasher filter and wash the inside surfaces of your dishwasher with a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach, 2 tablespoons of dish soap and about a quart of water. Persistent odors may require a wash with baking soda as well. Rinse the dishwasher after cleaning by running it empty on the hottest setting.
Water Supply
Algae growth in your main water supply can also cause a fishy or moldy odor in your water. This smell can be transferred to your dishes and is particularly noticeable in plastics and cups. If you're on a municipal water supply, ask neighbors if their water smells. If other residents on the same water supply are experiencing an odor, or if every fixture in your home produces the same odor, contact your local water utility. Bacteria can seep into your water supply from plants or animal matter. This bacteria is usually harmless, but even low concentrations can affect the taste and smell of your water. Most water utilities can make adjustments to remove smells, but sometimes the odors are unavoidable.
Plumbing
Your fixtures or the pipes that supply water to those fixtures can also cause a fishy odor that transfers to your dishes. To determine if the source of the odor is your kitchen's water pipes, turn on each faucet in your home to see if you can detect the smell elsewhere. If the odor is only temporary, going away after running your water for a few minutes, the source of the odor on your dishes may be inside your pipes or fixtures. Often this is a result of sediment buildup in the pipes. It is not usually harmful, but you may want to contact a plumber to determine if the pipes need to be replaced.
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