Why does my dishwasher stink?

There are many dishwasher odor causes, but a smelly dishwasher is often due to a buildup of trapped food particles, grease, and grime. Over time, food debris can collect in the nooks and crannies in the dishwasher parts and on the door. The dishwasher drain can also become clogged with food waste and affect how clean your dishes are.

If left long enough, these food particles start to smell bad. The dishwasher can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms, which is definitely not what you want next to your dishes!

Why does my dishwasher smell like rotten eggs?

If your dishwasher smells like eggs or sulfur, it’s probably because there’s food caught in the drain filter or door gasket. Bacteria feeding on these hidden food particles can produce a sulfur-like smell which may be the culprit.

Another possible cause of this rotten egg smell is leftover water sitting in the base of the dishwasher. This is a sign that the dishwasher drain is clogged. We have a great guide on How To Unclog a Dishwasher , so if you suspect a clog is the problem, check it out.

A sulfur smell that doesn’t go away after thorough cleaning could indicate a problem with the sewer line, which is a more serious issue. If your dishwasher continues to smell like sewage, get in touch with a plumber ASAP.

My dishwasher smells like mildew – what does this mean?

A damp, musty smell in the dishwasher can be a sign of a clogged drain or damaged hose. You can check this by carefully pulling the dishwasher out from its cavity and inspecting the hose for a sign of kinks or damage. You should also see if any water is present in the surrounding area as this could also be causing a mildew-like smell.

A damp, musty smell in the dishwasher can be a sign of a clogged drain or damaged hose. You can check this by carefully pulling the dishwasher out from its cavity and inspecting the hose for a sign of kinks or damage. You should also see if any water is present in the surrounding area as this could also be causing a mildew-like smell.

How do you get rid of a bad smell in the dishwasher?

Cleaning a smelly dishwasher is the best solution for combatting that stink. Here are tips for how to fix a smelly dishwasher:

1. Clean the drain filter regularly with warm and soapy water. Pay attention to how frequently you have to clean the filter. If you’re finding that the filter is consistently clogging or smelling like sulfur and you need to deep clean it more than once or twice a month, consider changing the filter.

2. Wipe down the door and dishwasher parts regularly. The door, spray arm, rack, and cutlery holders all need cleaning as part of the routine maintenance of your appliance. Cleaning these parts every few weeks may help to prevent gross dishwasher odors and keep microorganisms from growing inside crevices.

3. Use a vinegar or baking soda wash to help neutralize any odors. Fill a dishwasher-safe bowl or jug with a cup of white vinegar and place it on the lower rack and run the dishwasher on a hot cycle. Once the cycle is complete, take out the bowl and sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the base of the dishwasher. Put the dishwasher on another short cycle to further attack any unpleasant dishwasher stinks.

4. Determine whether the dishwasher is the cause. Sometimes a bad smell from the dishwasher can be confused with garbage disposal odor. The dishwasher and garbage disposal share the same drainage hose, so this could be the problem. Disconnect the hose from the garbage disposal and check if the smell is coming from there instead of the dishwasher. You can clean the garbage disposal by turning it off, removing the hose, and scrubbing the interior with a stiff wire and a damp cloth to remove any debris and gunk.

View our blog on How To Clean A Dishwasher for more advice on keeping your dishwasher clean.

How to freshen up a smelly dishwasher

Vinegar isn’t everyone’s favorite scent, that’s a given. If you want to make your dishwasher smell better, try adding essential oil to the vinegar.

Using a few drops of an essential oil with the vinegar will produce a more pleasant aroma. Oils such as lemon, orange, lavender, and peppermint can help to balance out the strong vinegar smell and serve as a blow to dishwasher odor!

How to prevent dishwasher stinks

To help keep the bad smell from your dishwasher from returning, there are several simple things you can do:

1. Scrape your dishes properly and rinse them before loading the dishwasher to avoid bits of food from accumulating.
2. Avoid over-stacking your dishwasher. Make sure there’s enough space between the dishes for water to pass through.
3. Clean the dishwasher regularly – including the spray arm, filters, drain, and door.
4. Occasionally run the dishwasher on an empty cycle to clean out any stray food scraps.
5. Use the vinegar / baking soda cleaning method periodically as and when it’s required.
6. Try using a cup of lemon juice in place of vinegar occasionally to introduce a fresh, citrus smell.
7. Don’t use other hot water appliances in the kitchen while the dishwasher is running to avoid diverting resources.

Cleaning a stinky dishwasher doesn’t take much effort, but the results are highly rewarding. Follow these dishwasher deodorizing tips to keep unpleasant dishwasher odor at bay. Don’t forget to check out our guide to dishwasher cleaning and other household maintenance and de-clogging tips on the Clog Basics blog.