How to Clean a Dishwasher That Smells Bad

Whether the cause is a clogged filter, mold growth, or a buildup of grime, sometimes dishwashers can develop unpleasant odors that you’ll want to eliminate quickly. Nobody wants to live with a foul pong every time they walk into the kitchen or open the dishwasher door, which can be a source of embarrassment if you have guests over.

Thankfully, it’s usually possible to remove even the nastiest, lingering bad smells coming from a dishwasher with some simple DIY solutions. This article will run through how to clean your dishwasher in ways that remove unpleasant smells, helping you restore a fresh scent to your kitchen once again.

How to clean a smelly dishwasher

We will run through the steps to clean a smelly dishwasher effectively. If you follow each of these steps, it should remove all the potential causes of foul odors.

Step 1: Gather your supplies

You don’t need to have all of these to complete the task, but these are the supplies and materials you can use:

• Dish soap
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• A bowl or container
• A sponge or cloth for cleaning
• A clean cloth or towel for drying
• A soft brush or toothbrush

Step 2: Empty the dishwasher and remove the racks

Emptying the dishwasher and removing the racks will give you access to the filter and make other areas of the dishwasher easier to clean, such as the corners and the tracks the racks slide on.

Step 3: Clean the filter

The filter is almost always located on the base of the tub, often near the spray arm. Remove it by twisting it counterclockwise and pulling it out. Some modern dishwashers also have a fine filter, which sits under the main filter. Check if your dishwasher has one and, if so, remove it by pulling it out.

Rinse the filters under warm running water to remove most of the grime or debris. For any stubborn grime, use a toothbrush or soft brush with dish soap to gently scrub it clean. Do not use anything abrasive like a scouring pad or wire brush as this can damage the filter.

Finish by reinstalling the filter(s) once they are clean.

Step 4: Clean the spray arms

Remove the spray arms by loosening the central screw securing each one in place and then lifting them out.

Clean them by wiping with a soapy cloth or sponge and then using a toothpick to unclog any of the holes for the water jets. Finish by rinsing them under warm running water and reinstalling back in the dishwasher.

Step 5: Wipe the dishwasher’s interior

With the racks still removed, use a damp cloth, sponge, or soft brush and warm soapy water to wipe clean the entire tub. Be sure to clean all the hard-to-reach areas, such as the corners, the tracks the racks slide on, and any nooks and crannies, as well as all the main panels of the tub and the door.

Step 6: Clean the gasket

The gasket requires special attention because it’s a key area for mold and mildew growth. It’s a rubber seal that goes around the perimeter of the door or the door frame. No matter where the gasket is located, it’s a good idea to clean both the door and the door frame.

Clean the entire gasket by gently scrubbing and wiping it with a damp cloth or soft brush and dish soap. Be sure to clean inside any folds and crevices, as this is where mold can thrive. Optionally, you can also use baking soda to help with stubborn stains by sprinkling it on the affected areas and wiping them.

When the entire gasket is visibly clean, wipe it with a clean, wet cloth to remove any soap or baking soda residues, and then dry it with a clean cloth or towel.

Step 7: Run a vinegar wash

A vinegar wash is excellent at cleaning and disinfecting your dishwasher and neutralizing bad smells.

To run a vinegar wash, place the racks back inside the dishwasher, then place a bowl filled with 2 cups of white vinegar on the bottom rack. Run the dishwasher on a hot cycle without detergent.

Step 8: Run a baking soda rinse

Like white vinegar, baking soda is excellent at eliminating foul odors, while also being a natural, safe product.

To run a baking soda rinse, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the floor of the dishwasher’s tub. Then, run the dishwasher on a hot cycle without detergent.

Step 9: Allow the dishwasher to air dry

Now that the dishwasher is completely clean, leave the door ajar to allow air to circulate so it can dry thoroughly. A dry dishwasher is less likely to harbor mold and bad odors.

How to prevent your dishwasher from smelling bad

Prevention is the best cure, and that’s certainly the case with odors in dishwashers. Here are some steps you can take to stop bad smells from developing in the first place:

• Clean the drain filter at least once per month.
• Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher to remove large food particles.
• Avoid overfilling the dishwasher as this can limit the reach of the water jets.
• Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner tablet once per month.
• Leave the door ajar after cycles to allow the dishwasher to dry.
• Check the gasket regularly for mold or grime and wipe clean when necessary.

Summary

Bad odors from a dishwasher are unpleasant, but fixable. You don’t have to live with the foul smell, simply take the steps outlined above to eliminate the odor quickly. If for some reason these solutions don’t work, consider hiring an appliance repair technician to inspect the dishwasher for leaks or drainage issues.