At a Glance:
Why Does My Dishwasher Smell Bad?
Don’t Forget to Clean Your Dishwasher
It May Be Time to Replace Your Dishwasher
Your dishwasher is an essential appliance for cleaning and sanitizing dishes. This appliance saves you hours of scrubbing and washing each week. It also saves gallons of water that you would otherwise run in the sink. So, when your dishwasher starts to stink, it’s understandable for you to freak out. Is it still safe to use? How do you make the odor go away?
If your dishwasher smells bad, you need to get to the root of the problem. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot why your dishwasher smells bad and how to fix the problem.
Why Does My Dishwasher Smell Bad?
There are several potential reasons why your dishwasher smells bad. Some of these are simple fixes (and have preventative care), while other odor sources might indicate a bigger problem. Here are a few steps you can take to identify the source of your dishwasher odor.
- Run your dishwasher. The simplest cause of a bad smell in dishwasher is that the dishes are dirty and haven’t been cleaned. If your dishes have been sitting in the appliance for a few days, run the dishwasher to clean them and the smell should disappear.
- Remove your filter. Your dishwasher filter catches food particles and prevents them from floating around during the cleaning cycle. If your filter is full, you could have rotting food stuck inside creating a foul odor.
- Look at the inside of the machine. Food occasionally gets stuck in utensil trays, the racks, and even on the walls of a dishwasher. Remove each part of the dishwasher and wipe it down with a soapy cloth, then clean the inside of your appliance.
- Check the water system and drainage. Are you washing your dishes with clean water? Is the water draining away as expected? A clogged drain or dirty water could create unwanted odors.
- Search for escaping water. A clogged filter is no big deal, but a leak in your dishwasher is. Dirty water could be dripping out of your dishwasher and growing mold or mildew behind your cabinets. Not only can this hurt your family’s health, but water can also rot your floors. If you have a leak, you need a new appliance.
You don’t immediately have to panic if you notice a bad smell coming from your dishwasher. Start with the easiest solutions before you worry about more complex problems.
Don’t Forget to Clean Your Dishwasher
You can actively prevent odors in your dishwasher by cleaning it regularly. You should remove and clean your filter at least once every three months and should clean the body of your dishwasher monthly.
Cleaning your dishwasher doesn’t have to involve a lot of scrubbing or hosing down of the racks. In fact, it’s as easy as running the appliance completely empty, except for a cup of vinegar. Place the vinegar on the top rack and run your dishwasher at the hottest cycle. This will sanitize and deodorize the appliance. Once this is complete, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher, and run it on a short cycle with hot water. This will deodorize it while removing any stains.
The final steps when cleaning your dishwasher include wiping down the front and cleaning the rubber seal that locks in the water. After you complete this process, you should have a clean and sanctuary system.
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DishwashersIt May Be Time to Replace Your Dishwasher
A foul odor may be the first issue you experience with your dishwasher, but it won’t be your last one. The average dishwasher lasts about 10 years before it starts to break. One problem might lead to another, and you could spend more time and money repairing your appliance than you wanted to.
If your dishwasher is aging, consider replacing it with a new model. Here are three built-in dishwashers to consider adding to your home.
Café™ 24" Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Start your search with a Café dishwasher, one of the top models on the market. This is an incredibly flexible dishwasher with several features that you will love. Use the built-in third rack to wash utensils and other flat items that wouldn’t have a place in a standard dishwashing appliance. Thoroughly clean your growlers and vases with the four bottle wash jets on the bottom. You can even adjust the upper rack to create more room in the bottom for larger pots and pans.
Not only can you enjoy flexibility in how you load your dishwasher, but you can also enjoy different run cycles. You can run a half-load if your dishwasher isn’t full but you still need to clean your dishes (like right before leaving for vacation). You can also choose the Ultra wash and dry settings for a comprehensive cleaning of grease-stained items.
Check out customer reviews to learn why people love this model.
LG 24" Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Another quality option is an LG dishwasher which has a proven track record of cleaning dishes while maximizing storage space. LG uses exclusive QuadWash™ technology that includes four spray arms instead of just two. This releases leftover food bits and grease from your cookware and delivers a deeper clean. Each of the jets is attached to Multi-Motion arms that rotate back and forth while spinning to thoroughly wash every inch of your pots and pans.
Once your dishes are clean, the LG technology will ensure they are dry when you need them. The Dynamic Dry™ system removes as much water as possible so you don’t have to build a drying period between the end of the cycle and when you empty the appliance. This model can hold up to 15 place settings of dishes.
The majority of customer reviews for this appliance are positive. One buyer says, “It is quiet, sometimes I don't know if it is running.”
Frigidaire® 24" Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
As you compare and contrast different dishwashing machines, look at the features offered by this Frigidaire dishwasher. No two loads of dishes are the same, and sometimes you need a heavy cycle to everything after a family dinner, while other times your dishes just need a quick rinse. This dishwasher accommodates all cycles. You can set an energy-saving wash that minimizes the amount of water your use or choose a one-hour cycle if you are in a hurry. The bright LED lights on the panel will tell you which settings you currently have selected.
This model is NSF® Certified, meaning it can sanitize and remove 99.9 percent of common household bacteria. When it’s time to unload your dishwasher, you can feel confident that each dish is clean and free from germs.
One customer review says, “Love my new dishwasher. I finally have clean dishes and no spots!”
Related: Frigidaire Dishwasher Reviews
There are few situations more frustrating than a smelly dishwasher, but hopefully, we’ve been able to help you solve the problem. If you still have more questions about how to keep your dishwasher from smelling — or you want to explore a dishwasher for your next upgrade — visit us at East Coast Appliance! Our experts can help you for all your needs, including finding deals on in-stock dishwashers.
FAQs
Review these following questions to learn why your dishwasher smells bad.
Where is the dishwasher filter?
Filter locations will vary depending on your appliance, but most dishwasher filters are located at the bottom of the model. Look under the bottom rack in the center of the appliance. You should see a round knob or cap that twists to remove. Your filter will pop out and you can clean it to remove any debris.
How often should you clean your dishwasher filter?
The frequency with which you clean your dishwasher filter will depend on how often you use your appliance. Most homeowners should clean their filters every three months, but some people clean their filters monthly. If you are a low-use household, you may be able to stretch these cleanings to every six months.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Dishwashers at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop dishwashers online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you figure out why your dishwasher smells bad and recommend replacement models within your budget, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: How Long Do Dishwashers Last?