Dishwashers which were once considered a luxury have now become a necessity in the kitchen. Like all other appliances in the kitchen, dishwashers also need to be cleaned, however, they are often neglected by most of us. Nobody likes to clean dishes in an appliance that smells like sewage itself, how can something that smells so bad possibly clean the dishes?
A smelly dishwasher is a common problem faced by us every now and then, fortunately- it is easy to get rid of the smell in a few steps. To learn how to clean a smelly dishwasher, keep reading this article. Here, I will share tips and tricks to drive that smell out of your dishwasher within minutes!
Why Does My Dishwasher Smell
If you notice a fishy or rotten-egg-like smell coming out of your dishwasher whenever you open the dishwasher door, then it is probably stemming from a dirty dishwasher that really needs to be cleaned deeply. One of the most common and the biggest root cause of this problem is food residue.
Tiny food particles collect in the dishwasher filter or machine crevices over time. So they pile up in your dishwasher. This build-up causes an odor, which might be transferred to the dishes after drying.
Better dishwashers have stainless steel tubs. But most of them have plastic tubs. Plastic is pore-like. The scent will linger unless the equipment is cleaned regularly.
What Causes The Bad Smell In Dishwasher
Below listed are the most common causes of a smelly dishwasher:
- Clogged Filter: The most common cause is a clogged filter. If your dishwasher has unpleasant odors, it is mostly because your dishwasher filter is clogged. When food particles get trapped inside the filter, it starts developing an unpleasant odor over time.
- Clogged Spray Arm: The spray arms of your dishwasher have tiny holes, hundreds of them, all over. These holes get clogged easily with food debris which with time, leads to a stinky dishwasher.
- Dirty Drain Hose: When your dishwasher drain gets dirty with food scraps, soap scum, and residual water, it starts smelling foul. These unpleasant smells slowly make their way through into the dishwasher tub.
6 Easy Ways to Remove Dishwasher Smell
1- Deep Clean Dishwasher Drain Filter
Clogged drain filters are the most typical source of dishwashing odors. If your dishwasher has one, it’s most likely in the tub’s back corner. For further information on how a filter works, read my guide on how to clean dishwasher filters.
Remove the drain filter and wash it with hot, soapy water in your kitchen sink, using a bottle brush to reach any crevices. Before reinstalling the filter, make sure the drain is clean of food particles. Wipe any muck away with a sponge if you discover any.
2- Unclog Spray Arm Holes
Your dishwasher will not perform as effectively if the openings in the top or bottom spray arm get blocked. Dishwasher blockages may also be the cause of foul odors.
Remove the arms, hold them over the sink one at a time, and use a toothpick to dislodge food particles. Reinstall the arms in the dishwasher after running water through the openings to ensure they’re clean.
3- Clean Drain Hose
To clean a clogged drain hose, take it out of the dishwasher and rinse it with hot soapy water, use a vinegar and baking soda mixture to clean the drain and unclog it. Examine the pipe for any kinks or cracks that might create a blockage.
You’ll have to replace it if it’s been damaged. Simply flush it if it is still in excellent shape. This is accomplished by forcing high-pressure water into the pipe to dislodge any solid clogs and flush out any odor-causing residue.
Is there standing water in your dishwasher? well, here’s HOW TO FIX DISHWASHER NOT DRAINING.
4- Scrub Dishwasher Door
Last but not least, food may accumulate on the bottom lip of the dishwasher door where it meets the bottom basin, which is often missed. Remove any accumulated sludge, filth, or food particles that have developed on the lip between the door and the washbasin using a moist microfiber cloth or soapy sponge after opening the door all the way.
Pro tip: While the door is open, wipe down the bottom edge of the door with a soft cloth.
5- Clean Dishwasher Interior
Soap scum and filth may build up on the dishwasher’s interior walls and lid over time. Scrubbing them with hot, soapy water with a damp microfiber cloth or towel or scrub brush may make a significant improvement.
Wipe off the racks and door gaskets while you’re at it, since these may collect mold and mildew. To learn how to remove mold from a dishwasher, read my guide. You can also use dish soap to clean the interior.
6- Run an Empty Dishwasher Cycle
Vinegar and baking soda will become your best friends when it comes to cleaning a dishwasher. To get rid of dishwasher odor, run a hot water cycle in an empty dishwasher. Remove and take out all dirty dishes, place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with baking soda, water, and vinegar mixture on the top rack.
Run a normal wash cycle and let the dishwasher air dry completely afterward. There you have your dishwasher smelling fresh again!
How to Prevent Future Dishwasher Smells
Once your dishwasher is fresh and clean, follow these preventive maintenance guidelines to maintain it that way:
- Before loading the dishes, scrape leftover food particles and rinse them well. Load the dishes in the correct way, read my guide on how to load a dishwasher properly.
- Drain filters should be cleaned on a regular basis.
- Run periodic vinegar and baking soda cycles to eradicate scents before they have a chance to develop inside the dishwasher.
- Other hot water appliances should not be used while the dishwasher is running in order to prevent diverting available resources.
- Use the appropriate dishwasher detergent according to the needs and requirements of your house. To find the best detergent, read my list of the best dishwasher detergents in 2022.
- Take regular house cleaning services or do it yourself.
Conclusion
The key to a well-performing dishwasher is keeping it clean. A little basic dishwasher maintenance goes a long way. Just be sure to follow your dishwasher manufacturer’s cleaning directions when you clean, in order to maintain your dishwasher in top working order.
Performing the above actions a few times a year will help maintain your dishwasher functioning efficiently and prevent food debris from piling up. Before placing your dishes in the dishwasher, be sure to properly rinse them and scrape away any big bits of food.
Leave a Reply