Gloria P wrote:

> Charlene Charette wrote:
>
>> Usually I run the dishwasher and when it's done I prop the door open
>> to let the dishes air-dry. We've been munching on Thanksgiving
>> leftovers so I left the clean dishes in the dishwasher for a few
>> days. I started to notice a smell from the kitchen and discovered
>> that the last time it was run the water didn't drain and there was
>> soured water sitting in the bottom. I emptied the dishwasher and ran
>> it empty. Whatever caused the clog seems to have corrected itself,
>> but the dishwasher still has a funky smell. The dishes that were in
>> it have the same smell, but since they are metal, class and ceramic
>> I'm hoping they'll be fine after another run through the dishwasher.
>> I suspect the smell in the dishwasher is in the plastic. Any
>> suggestions for removing the smell?


>
> I'd try running a short, hot wash with a cup of bleach added.
> If that doesn't do it, dissolve a cup of baking soda (bicarbonate)
> in water and add that to a short wash.
>
> Vinegar might help, but it might be just as bad as the smell you are
> trying to get rid of.

Agreed. My family and I have had many pets over the years and
housetraining accidents from juvenile and geriatric critters were, up
until a couple of years ago, cleaned up with vinegar and water. The
smell of white vinegar has some pretty disgusting associations for me.

A couple years back I finally tried using an enzyme cleaner to clean up
an accident. It worked so much better than vinegar and didn't make the
whole house reek, either. There a few different brands out there but
the one I like best is Nature's Miracle. It's good on pretty much
anything an animal can emit, and removes the odors quite thoroughly, so
the critter isn't attracted back to the scene of the crime.