How to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher

Whenever you open a dishwasher after running a wash cycle, there should not be any foul odor. But what to do if the dishes look clean and there is an unpleasant odor from the dishwasher? That’s a reminder for you to clean the smelly dishwasher. 

To bring your dishwasher back to life, let’s check out this complete guide to cleaning and maintaining your dishwasher.

Let’s get started!

Clean the Drain Filter

One of the most common causes of dishwasher smells is a clogged drain filter. If this is the case, just remove the filter and clean it in your sink with hot soapy water. Ensure that the drain is free from food particles before reinserting the filter. 

Clean the Spray Arm

Check whether there are any clogs in holes at the top or bottom of the spray arm, if yes it won’t work. To clean them, simply remove the arms, hold them over the kitchen sink one at a time, and take out the food particles with a toothpick. Run water through the holes and reinstall the arms in the dishwasher.

Clean the Inside of the Dishwasher

Scrub it with hot soapy water and a cloth or scrub brush can make a huge difference. 

Run Empty Dishwasher Cycles with Vinegar and Baking Soda

To make wonders on your dishwasher do this step. Run two separate cycles—one with vinegar, and another with baking soda—to eliminate any foul odors.

Quick Tips

Clean the dishes before loading them.

Clean the drain filter frequently.

Run occasional vinegar and/or baking soda cycles to eliminate odors.

Avoid using hot water appliances while the dishwasher runs.

Wrap Up

Cleaning and maintaining the dishwasher is a small task but it will make a big difference. Keep your dishes sparkling clean to stay tension-free about blockages or unpleasant smells from your dishwasher again.