6 Reasons Your Dishwasher Smells So Bad

If you can’t quite place the odd odor in your kitchen, open the door to your dishwasher and sniff. A smelly dishwasher can quickly overpower even the aroma of freshly baked cookies. The odor isn’t going to magically disappear so it’s time for you to take action to identify and resolve the six reasons your dishwasher smells bad.

You Don’t Scrape Away Food

Some of us are adamantly opposed to rinsing or practically washing the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher because it defeats the point of having a dishwasher. All you need to do is scrape off large pieces of food. Dishwasher detergent works better if there are bits of food to grab onto before the hot water rinses and sanitizes the dishes.

However, if you don’t remove the large pieces, the dishwasher filter (more about that later) and drain line can become clogged with food that feeds the bacteria that produces the odor.

You Never Clean the Dishwasher Filter

Do you know that your dishwasher has a filter? Every dishwasher has a filter that traps bits of food to prevent a clog in the drain line. It’s usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher drum. Remove the bottom rack, find the filter, and holding your nose, remove it and give it a thorough cleaning.

Unless you have a self-cleaning dishwasher filter, you should complete the task at least once a month. Even a self-cleaning filter should be cleaned at least every other month. If you don’t bother to scrap away food before loading the dishwasher, clean both types more often.

You Never Run a Cleaning Cycle

Even with all of the hot water and dishwasher detergent running through the appliance, the interior walls and racks can become coated with a greasy residue that traps mold spores, bacteria, and food particles that stink.

After you’ve cleaned the dishwasher filter, run a cleaning cycle with a commercial dishwasher cleaner or the reliable distilled white vinegar and baking soda you have in the pantry. Just be sure your dishwasher isn’t loaded with dirty dishes and you’ll be amazed at how the odor vanishes.

You Let a Plastic Lid Slip Off the Upper Rack

A burnt plastic odor in the dishwasher should never be ignored because it could be a sign of problems with the dishwasher’s wiring. However, it is most likely a piece of non-dishwasher-safe plastic trapped near the heating element.

Take the time to remove the bottom rack and look for the problem. Remove the culprit and use a non-metallic utensil to scrape away any plastic stuck on the dishwasher floor and run a cleaning cycle to freshen the interior. Leaving a bowl of baking soda on the top rack of an empty dishwasher will also help absorb the odor.

You Have a Slow or Clogged Drain

Remember that dishwasher filter you never cleaned or even knew existed? When it becomes clogged, the dishwasher drains more slowly and can produce a bad odor from the drain. Cleaning the filter and the dishwasher usually helps. But if there is a large clog and water backs up into the bottom of the dishwasher, you’re going to need a plumber to clear the drain line.

You Don’t Clean Your Sink Disposal Unit

If you have a sink disposal, it shares the drain line with your dishwasher. If your disposal is clogged, the food and dirty water from your dishwasher can’t empty properly. Run and flush your disposal to make sure there is no food trapped inside and that will hopefully clear the clog. Then, take the time to clean the disposal and run a dishwasher cleaning cycle to hopefully get rid of the bad odors.

Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Smelling Fresh

• Run it frequently. Waiting until the dishwasher is full might save a bit on your utility costs but food left on the dishes can quickly begin to smell.
• Empty the clean dishes and be sure the interior of the dishwasher is dry before traveling. Place a box or bowl of baking soda on the top rack and close the door to absorb odors.
• Check the water temperature setting on your hot water heater to be sure the water is hot enough to clean and sanitize the dishes. Avoid hot showers or washing clothes in hot water while the dishwasher is running.