You would expect a clean and fresh smell from your dishwasher when you open it at the end of a wash cycle – not a foul smell like rotting food. Dishwashers play a daily role in a household, where busy families rely on them as a convenient and effective alternative to washing dishes by hand. So when something starts to go wrong, it can mess up everyone’s schedule if not attended to quickly.
Dishwashers, like any other electrical appliances, require routine cleaning, care and maintenance to work well, last longer, and prevent leakages or repairs needed. If your dishwasher is starting to smell badly, there is most likely something wrong. However, as this is a common occurrence, it may not be a major problem, and is most likely easily fixed.
Causes Of Bad Smells
There are two main reasons why your dishwasher may be smelling bad. One is because there may be a buildup of grease and food particles in your dishwasher, which have gotten trapped within the filters, drain host, spray arm, and other tight corners or hard to reach areas. Over time, these trapped organic materials will start to smell funky or fishy, and the smell can also get into your dishware, causing bacteria and mildew to grow.
Another possible cause is if you have a clogged drain or kinked hose. This would likely be the case if your dishwasher has a more musty or damp kind of stink. Such cases may require professional cleaning or repair services.
How To Fix A Smelly Dishwasher
Here’s what you can do to get rid of the stink of your dishwasher:
- Clean the filters and drain
Remove the lower dishwasher rack and set it aside. Clean the screen or drain filter at the bottom of the appliance. Carefully remove the filter, then soak it in warm water for 10 minutes; scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Wipe away any lingering food particles from the interior of the drain before you re-insert the cleaned filter. - Scrub down the dishwasher itself
Next, remove the upper dishwasher rack. Make a simple paste from baking soda, dish soap and water; use this to scrub the interior walls and shelves of the dishwasher clean. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth. Don’t forget to wipe the gaskets down as well. - Clean the spray arms
Remove the upper and lower spray arms. Using a thin wire or cotton swab, carefully clean off any debris that may be stuck on and clogging the holes. Rinse each unit in the sink so that water can flow freely before re-inserting them into your dishwasher. - Rinse the dishwasher
Place one cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe container on the top rack of your empty dishwasher. Run the dishwasher through a short cycle. Then, follow up with a baking soda rinse, pouring one cup of baking soda along the bottom of your appliance and running another hot cycle. Repeat this rinse every month or so, to help keep your dishwasher smelling fresh.
We hope these tips help you in solving your dishwasher woes. If you need to replace your dishwasher, or are looking to upgrade, feel free to browse dishwashers online at Woodcocks. We even have special financing options to help you get the dishwasher you need even if you can’t afford the money upfront. Check out our products today!
