I don’t know what it is, but I swear- 95% of the time, I am more motivated to come home and clean up around the house than I am when I’m home all day long.
I’m pretty sure that I accomplished more in the 45 minutes after I returned home from work yesterday than I did all morning today. I just don’t get it. Is there anyone else out there who’s weird with me?
Despite the lower productivity, I did still get a chance to catch up on laundry and do a little cleaning up in the kitchen, which brings me to my current issue…
For the past few days now, I’ve noticed somewhat of a funky smell coming from somewhere in the kitchen. I assumed that it must be coming from the fridge, since I have a tendency to shove things to the back and forget about them until their ungodly stench reminds me that they’re there.
But after scoping out the fridge, I determined that that was not the culprit. So I continued working around in the kitchen, and as soon as I went to empty the dishwasher I finally discovered where the rank smell was coming from…
Guys, my dishwasher STINKS. Holy hell, it stinks. I’ve never had this problem before so I don’t quite know what to do about it.
Do any of you know how to fix a stinky dishwasher??
*****
Today’s lunch ended up being sort of snacky, including a mish-mash of Chobani, an apple with some PB2, and a Clif Z Bar, for now. I didn’t take any photos because I honestly just didn’t feel like it. Sometimes, it just gets sort of boring taking pictures of food, ya know what I mean?
Plus, I was too busy stalking Rue La La and lusting over this Michael Kors Camel Trench Coat.
It’s on sale for $89.90, which is awesome…except for when I’m trying to not spend money. Oooof.
*****
This afternoon, I have a few errands to run, including an attempt to find my new sneakers and a heavier pair of dumbbells.
Lately, I’ve really only been using my 5 pounders because anything heavier than that is from Jay’s bulky set and they just end up hitting me in the shins/knees/sides and causing more trouble than they’re worth.
I’m thinking that a set of 8-10lb. dumbbells should do the trick…then again, maybe I’ll go balls to the wall and grab a set of these monsters?
Then again, maybe I won’t.
I’m also stopping at the grocery store so I can pick up a few items to make tonight’s dinner. I am wicked excited about bringing back this favorite recipe. It’s been too long!
Catch ya later, ladies and gents!
Questions for the Afternoon:
How do I fix my stinky dishwasher?
Do you have any funny stories involving dumbbells?
Lee @ in the pink of condition says
You should seriously first check the food trap to see if there’s any food stuck in there. Also, run the dishwasher with white wine vinegar (I swear that stuff can be used for almost anything). Try to rinse off your dishes really well before you put them in the dishwasher next time, and also don’t let them sit for too long (I’ve done that before, and boy does it stink!). Good luck girly!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
ha just saw this after commenting about vinegar too. It’s amazing that stuff, isn’t it!?
Lee @ in the pink of condition says
it really is! i’ve used it to get lint off of my clothes and also for a cold! haha
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
white vinegar! I pour about 2 cups into every load. mainly b/c our water is so hard it leaves a film on our glasses but I bet it would work for the smell too. It’s a household cleaning WONDER (and it’s cheap :))
Hope says
You should try running the dishwasher with the detergant with nothing in the dishwasher. That might be enough to flush the smell out. I wish I knew something else to tell you to do. Good luck! :)
Allie says
I had a problem with that as well and my gramma found some food inside the food trap and also ran bleach through it (but if it was me I would definitely go for the white vinegar!).
Kind of funny…I almost toppled over sideways yesterday while doing some sort of leg dips while holding 2 15-pound dumbells–at least I got a laugh out of it!
4loveofcarrots says
Yeah we have this problem out our house! It’s bad! My dad says it just needs to be cleaned, I’m not sure if u need to use anything special though. I’m about to just febreeze the s**t outta it! Who wants to clean the dishwasher?
Lisa Fine says
I’m a believer in using baking soda and vanilla extract to get rid of funky smells. I’ve used it to deodorize our compost bin and other places.
I just sprinkle a bunch of baking soda, then sprinkle drops of vanilla extract, mix it with water to scrub, let it sit, and then wash.
Good luck, Courtney!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Couldn’t help ya on the dishwasher… I am definitely no plumber!
I just looked up the recipe you’re making for dinner, and it looks SO GOOD. I can’t wait to try this. I’m in love with spaghetti squash, so I have a feeling I’ll have no problem liking it. ;)
Danica @ It's Progression Not Perfection says
I’m a pretty clumsy person and though none of them are funny, I have plenty of stories involving dropping dumbbells on my fingers and toes! When I would strength train in high school my friends often bet me on whether or not I would drop a weight that day : )
TheBloggersBrother says
Funny story aboue dumbbells, Ive never used one
Courtney says
Ain’t THAT the truth! ;)
Jessica says
Yes, the white vinegar and baking soda idea works! I use it about once a week so get hard water residue off our glassware.
Brianne says
I dont have an issue with my dishwasher BUT I am the exact same way when it involves being productive!!! I will have a saturday where I have all the time in the world but for whatever reason I clean and do more when I have worked all day then done an hour and a 1/2 at the gym and cooked dinner. I have no idea what the issue is but either way I will take being productive! You would think I would clean on the weekend and just unwind after a tough day and tough workout!
I guess I unwind with all the blog reading I do! Still not ready for my own blog but I look forward to reading yours as well as PBF to name just a couple! =)
Christy says
Powdered lemonade in the detergent cup is one way. Another is running it with white vinegar or baking soda. (White vinegar is good for a stinky washing machine too on a HOT cycle…)
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
You can try scrubbing the inside of your dishwasher with a sponge or pour two cups of distilled white vinegar inside and let it sit for a few hours. Then try running the dishwasher with nothing in it for one cycle. Another thing is that the smell could be coming from the drain in your sink. Try pouring some baking soda down the drain (and especially if you have a garbage disposal). Hope this helps!
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
I’ve done the white vinegar thing and it works wonders. There’s nothing like a stinky dishwasher to make you lose your appetite.
Once I was doing biceps curls and got an itch on my temple. I went to scratch it without putting the dumbell down (they were 10 lbs each), lost control of it, and it hit me on the cheekbone. Oh my ouch! It swelled and left a little bruise. I’m lucky no one called the cops on my husband!
Faith says
I agree w/ the others…baking soda and white vinegar works like a charm!! I make my own dishwashing detergent w/ this stuff anyway but it kills any grotty smells and won’t leave your dw smelling like a salad. (I personally like the smell of vinegar but some don’t). White vinegar is also a great rinse-aid instead of, say jet-dry, or something.
Good luck! Bizarre kitchen smells are the worst. :)
Faith says
I really should proof read…”WORK” like a charm…sheesh.
Khushboo says
Blog reading is my problem- I blame blogs for my procrastination @ work ;)
Allie {a teaspoon of LIFE} says
Word. I’m at work right now ;) CRAP!
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
I thought you were going to say your sink stinks. I swear I hate our garbage disposal. Sometimes it doesn’t get everything and ends up smelling so ripe!
e@thisnotedlife says
i had this same problem a couple weeks ago. Now that we live on an army post it’s pretty easy to just call and the maintenance people come BUT in the mean time they did tell me that if your garbage disposal and dishwasher are using the same pipe (which mine are) the chopped up stuff that’s from your garbage disposal is actually sititng in the pipes and when you run water it can push the stink water up in to your dishwasher. I’m guessing that when they went to my house ( i wasn’t home), they just flushed out the main pipe but once they did it’s been good to go. Try draino in the sink maybe??
And, like you, i get nothing done when im home all day i think it’s the “oh i can just do it later” attitude
Brigitt says
I get way more done when I’m really busy. I think it’s because you have limited time to do all the things you need to get done, so your schedule is more regimented and productive. Definitely the case for me!
Allie {a teaspoon of LIFE} says
You just made me feel less alone in the world. I am more motivated to clean before going to work than any other time. I’ve actually been going in later lately, because I’m just a MACHINE. I’m sure my internal self is hoping I’ll ditch work to keep cleaning and then take a nap instead ;)
lemon or vinegar in the dishwasher. Fresh lemon juice, not the bottled stuff.
Nicole says
I know exactly the smell you mention, it is the worst! I’m with everyone else that votes vinegar! To prevent the smell, I pour about a cup of white vinegar into an empty dishwasher and run a full cycle, once a month. It also breaks down any sort of build-up that may form inside. It’s amazing the number of ways that vinegar can assist in everyday tasks – a true wonder product!
Kerry @ Half Healthy, Half Nuts says
I am the same way. I am most motivated to clean and straighten the house in the morning before I go to work, when I have the least amount of time to clean and straighten the house. Ugh.
And I have a super stinky dishwasher too (we inherited it when we bought our house) – I am interested in hearing what people suggest!!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Love seeing all of the tips because God knows I wouldn’t know what to do if my dishwasher started stinking!
Lindsey @ Stink and Hincks says
Agreed with the vinegar, and just to help I spray mine sometimes with disenfectant for good measure.
That dumbbell picture made me laugh out loud, I think that going from 5 lbs. to that would be pretty aggressive!
Heather says
I feel your dishwasher pain… mine is SO bad at draining properly that I don’t even use it anymore but I’ve managed to get rid of the stink by cleaning out the drain (of all the smell rotting food chunks) and then running vinegar through like everyone is suggesting. Sometimes I get funky smells coming from my sink too and I find pouring vinegar down the drain works great too!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Oohh, that coat is adorable!!! Does your dishwasher at least still clean dishes? Mine apparently is taking a vacation from that.
Jane @ Broccolini + Cheese says
I had to use so much will power not to buy that jacket but now that you have linked it again it is so tempting…..Must control myself !
Molly says
totally visited that Michael Kors sale today on Rue La La and gave in to TWO coats… now i’m just waiting for it to NOT be 100 degrees so I can wear them… haha
Julie says
ohhh that coat is so cute! i went to rue la la but it was sold out in my size :( probably better since i’m trying not to spend money either!
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
Baking Soda. Sprinkle it into your dishwasher before you wash next time. It will take out the smell. Easy, cheap, 100% effective. :D
LindsayInNYC says
My dishwasher gets a little stanky too so I might have to try some of these ideas!! A friend’s mom suggested running Tang (as in the orange drink powder) through the dishwasher but I never tried it myself.
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
I feel like I missed something…did you get a new job?? If so, congrats!
Kerryne says
Do a baking soda/vinegar rinse. Just dump like a half of a cup of baking soda and a half a cup of vinegar right in the bottom and do a SUPER hot rinse. Works like a charm!
Samantha says
Me and my stepdad go shopping for my mom every year together, for Christmas. One year, I must’ve been maybe 12 or 13, we were in a department store and I thought I was so strong and started lifting up different sized dumbbells – until I dropped one on my finger! I thought I had broken my finger, but luckily it was just bruised! Ouch!
Jessica says
Try running it on empty with some bleach in the detergent tray. That will usually kill any funk that is in there!
Carissa says
So how did the dishwasher cleaning go? Ours did that a few weeks ago and I ran it empty and it did the trick…but now I know the official solution!
And put me on the 15lb dumbbell bandwagon! Challenge your body, even if it means less reps! You won’t turn into hulk, but you will notice a change in muscle tone. Promise :)
Courtney says
Hey Carissa! It went well! I went the vinegar route, and that seemed to help – I also think that there was just some dishes in there that were rather stinky and had been left in there too long. I keep forgetting to mention it again in a post! :)
Thanks for the tip on the dumbbells…I’m hoping to get there ASAP! ;)
Lindsay says
The problem is that the inside of your dishwasher isnt stainless steel. The plastic inside of your dishwasher will continue to smell whenever you run the dishwasher. I would recommend that you continue to use the white vinegar and then when you purchase a new dishwasher, make sure that the inside is stainless steel.