Few things are more frustrating than opening an empty dishwasher, only to be met with a not-so-pleasant odor. Dishwashers are designed to freshen up dirty dishware and a stinky dishwasher can leave you questioning how clean your dishes really are.
Fortunately, your dishwasher’s stink doesn’t necessarily have to lead to an expensive service fee. You may be able to solve your dishwasher odor issues yourself. Follow these troubleshooting steps to clean dishwasher odor.
What Causes Dishwasher Odor?
First thing’s first: occasional dishwasher smell is normal and by no means a cause to panic. Your dishwasher handles a lot of food bits that can get stuck in its various parts and start to stink.
If you’ve encountered dishwasher odor, it may be due to one of the following:1
- A dirty dishwasher filter: All dirty water drained out of your dishwasher passes through your dishwasher filter. Over time, food particles can accumulate and make your dishwasher smelly. Too many food particles stuck in your filter can also cause dirty water to back up in your dishwasher, another source of dishwasher odor.
- A clogged drain: After the filter, all water runs through the drain. Larger objects may clog your dishwasher’s drain altogether, making your dishwasher smell and putting you at a greater risk for a more serious problem like a leak.
- Built-up grime: Soap scum and mineral deposits can build up in your dishwasher over time, especially if you have hard water. These act as a trap, retaining food particles and preventing them from washing away after a cycle.
- Moldy door seal: If your dishwasher doesn’t dry fully between each cycle, mildew and other types of mold can grow in the gasket that seals your dishwasher door.
How to Clean Dishwasher Odor
Fortunately, in most cases, cleaning dishwasher odor can be fairly straightforward. With a little bit of elbow grease and instruction, you may be able to freshen up your dishwasher’s smell without a repair bill. Read on to learn more.
Clean the Filter
If you’ve noticed your dishwasher stinks, the first step is to check the filter. Look for a build up of food particles and give it a good sniff. This will help you identify whether the filter is the source of your dishwasher odor.
If the filter is your culprit, it’s time to give it a good clean. Your dishwasher’s manual will give instructions on how to clean the dishwasher filter, but generally you’ll want to remove it and rinse it with hot water. Some dishwashers have a filter located at the bottom of the machine, which helps to stop food from clogging up the drain or ending up on your clean dishes.
Your dishwasher manual should also have information on how often you should clean or replace your dishwasher filter to prevent future smelly situations.
Unclog the Drain
If you’ve found the source of your dishwasher odor to be a clogged drain, you may need to call a professional for assistance. They’ll know how to unclog your dishwasher without doing any damage to the machine or its pipes.
Give it a Good Clean
Some dishwasher odors simply call for a good, old fashioned cleaning. If you’ve determined that built up food is causing your stinky dishwasher, or if your machine is simply in need of a refresh, it’s time to clean your dishwasher.
First, try running a cleaning cycle with Finish® Dishwasher Cleaner. Remove the sticker from the bottle and place it upside down in your silverware basket or in the bottom rack. Your dishwasher may have a cleaning setting. If not, simply run it on the hottest cycle.
If the dishwasher odor persists, give your dishwasher a good scrub with a cleaner approved for use in dishwashers. Be sure to clean the nooks and crannies. Food debris can become trapped in the tiny crevices of your machine, so check areas like the rubber seal around your dishwasher door and inside the spray arms for crumbs and debris.
Preventing Dishwasher Odor
Of course, the best way to combat dishwasher odor is to prevent it altogether using proper practices. Regular cleaning helps to prevent dishwasher odor–we recommend cleaning once a month for optimal freshness.
Other tips for preventing a stinky dishwasher include:
- Scraping off dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to prevent major clogs.
- If it takes you a long time to make a full dishwasher load, try running a rinse-only cycle every so often with hot water to prevent standing odors.
- Use a premium dish detergent, like Finish® Ultimate, designed to take on tough dishes.
Dishwasher Odor FAQs
How do you clean a smelly dishwasher drain hose?
Running a dishwasher cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner should clean your drain hose, as well. If not, you can contact a maintenance professional to remove the drain hose and run water through it to rinse.
Why is my dishwasher making everything smell?
If you’re finding that your dishes have a foul odor after being washed, the smell may be coming from inside your dishwasher itself. Check for a blocked filter, clogged drain, or food build up and clean accordingly.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
We recommend cleaning your dishwasher once per month with a dishwasher cleaner. Refer to your dishwasher manufacturer instructions for more information on cleaning frequency.
Tackle Dishwasher Odor With Finish®
Dishwasher odor can be extremely unpleasant, but fortunately it’s a fairly simple problem to tackle. By following these steps, you may be able to handle dishwasher odor yourself and avoid a hefty appliance repair bill. Remember to always refer to your manufacturer’s instructions before taking on any major troubleshooting projects.
Make dishwasher cleaning a regular part of your home maintenance routine with Finish® Dishwasher Cleaners.
References:
"Why Does My Dishwasher Smell Bad?" Maytag, Maytag, 2023, www.maytag.com/blog/kitchen/why-does-dishwasher-smell-bad.html.
