Introduction
Ever opened your dishwasher and been hit with a bad odor? It’s not the most pleasant way to start a clean-up, right? Dishwashers can smell funky between washes, and it’s usually because food debris and moisture get trapped. The good news is, with a few simple steps, you can keep your dishwasher smelling fresh. Want to know how to keep your dishwasher from smelling between washes? You’re in the right place! This post will walk you through easy, effective tips to maintain a clean and odor-free dishwasher.
TL;DR: Learn simple tricks to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh, like cleaning the filter, wiping seals, and using natural cleaning solutions like vinegar and baking soda.
What May Cause Your Dishwasher to Smell?
The most common reason your dishwasher smells, even after use, is food stuck inside, which can lead to mold growth and worsen odors over time. To prevent this, keep the dishwasher door open as often as possible to discourage mold. If the smell resembles vegetables, meat, fish, or cheese, it may indicate mold caused by a clogged hose filter and stagnant water.
Conversely, a sewage-like odor could suggest clogged drains. Regular maintenance and proper airflow are essential for keeping your dishwasher smelling fresh.
1. Why Does a Dishwasher Smell Between Washes?
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Food Residue and Debris Accumulation
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Standing Water and Moisture Buildup
Standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher is a breeding ground for mildew and mold. If the water doesn’t drain properly after a wash cycle, the damp environment allows mold and bacteria to grow, which leads to unpleasant smells. This can happen if the drain is clogged or if the dishwasher isn’t properly ventilated. To prevent this, always check that no water is left sitting at the bottom and leave the door slightly open to help the moisture dry out.
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Poor Ventilation
When you keep the dishwasher door closed after a wash cycle, trapped moisture can’t escape. This creates a humid environment inside, which leads to a musty smell over time. The warmth and dampness encourage the growth of mildew and bacteria, causing odors to build up. To avoid this, leave the dishwasher door slightly open after each wash. This allows air to circulate and helps the inside dry out, preventing musty smells from developing between washes.
2. Step-by-Step Guide to Prevent Dishwasher Smells
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Regularly Clean the Dishwasher Filter
How to Locate and Remove the Filter: The filter is usually located at the bottom of your dishwasher, under the lower spray arm. Look for a round or rectangular cover. To remove it, twist or lift it out, depending on your model.
Step-by-Step Filter Cleaning Process:
- Remove the filter carefully.
- Rinse it under warm water to remove food particles.
- Use a soft brush or sponge to scrub away any grease or buildup.
- Once clean, place the filter back in its spot and secure it by twisting or snapping it in place.
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Wipe Down the Dishwasher’s Interior and Seals
Why Seals Collect Bacteria and Grime: The rubber seals around your dishwasher door trap moisture and food particles during each wash cycle. Over time, this creates a breeding ground for bacteria and grime, leading to unpleasant odors.
How to Clean the Door and Rubber Seals Properly: Use a damp sponge or cloth with a mild cleaner, like dish soap, to wipe down the seals and door edges. Pay close attention to the folds and crevices where food might get stuck. Clean these areas regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and keep your dishwasher smelling fresh.
Cleaning with Vinegar: To clean your dishwasher with vinegar, fill a dishwasher-safe cup with white vinegar and place it on the top rack. Run a hot water cycle without any dishes. The vinegar will break down grease, food particles, and soap scum, leaving your dishwasher fresh.
Baking Soda for Odor Control: For extra odor control, sprinkle a cup of baking soda across the bottom of your dishwasher after the vinegar cycle. Run a short hot cycle. The baking soda will neutralize any remaining odors and help brighten the interior.
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Leave the Door Slightly Open After Every Wash
Benefits of Proper Air Circulation: Leaving the dishwasher door slightly open after each wash allows air to circulate, which helps dry out any remaining moisture inside. This simple step prevents the buildup of humidity that can lead to mold, mildew, and musty odors. Proper ventilation is key to keeping your dishwasher smelling fresh between cycles. By letting the interior air out, you reduce the chances of bacteria growing in a damp environment.
3. Best Practices for Loading the Dishwasher
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Pre-Rinse or Scrape Excess Food
Why Pre-Rinsing Matters: Pre-rinsing or scraping off large food particles from your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher is important. When big pieces of food get trapped in the filter or drain, they can cause clogs and prevent proper drainage. This can lead to standing water and bad odors. By taking a moment to rinse or scrape off excess food, you help keep your dishwasher running smoothly and reduce the chances of unpleasant smells between washes.
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Load Dishes Correctly for Proper Drainage
Avoiding Overloading: Overloading your dishwasher can block the spray arms, preventing them from rotating properly. When the spray arms can’t move freely, water can’t reach all the dishes, and leftover food debris may get trapped.
Ensuring Water Flow and Drainage: To avoid this, load dishes in a way that allows water to flow easily. Place larger items on the bottom rack and smaller ones on the top. Make sure nothing is blocking the spray arms or the drain at the bottom. This ensures that every dish gets cleaned properly and helps prevent bad odors from developing.
4. Advanced Cleaning Tips for Persistent Odors
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Run a Dishwasher Cleaner Cycle Once a Month
How to Use Commercial Dishwasher Cleaners: To keep your dishwasher in top shape, use a commercial dishwasher cleaner once a month. First, remove any dishes and check that the filter is clean. Then, follow the instructions on the cleaner package. Typically, you’ll place the cleaner in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle. This helps break down grease, soap scum, and odors, keeping your dishwasher fresh and working efficiently for longer.
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Inspect and Clean the Drain Line
Checking the Drain for Blockages: It’s important to regularly inspect the drain hose for any blockages. Start by locating the drain line, usually found at the back of the dishwasher. Check for any visible food buildup or kinks in the hose that could prevent proper drainage.
DIY Drain Cleaning: If you find blockages, you can clean the drain yourself. First, unplug the dishwasher for safety. Then, detach the drain hose and use a long brush or pipe cleaner to remove any debris. Rinse the hose with warm water before reattaching it. This helps keep your dishwasher draining well and smelling fresh.
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Clean or Replace the Garbage Disposal
How Garbage Disposal Affects Dishwasher Odors: If your dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal, odors from the disposal can affect your dishwasher’s smell. Food particles can get trapped in the disposal, leading to unpleasant odors that can travel to your dishwasher.
Regular Garbage Disposal Maintenance: To prevent this, clean your garbage disposal regularly. You can grind ice cubes and citrus peels to help remove buildup and freshen it up. If the odors persist, it may be time to replace the garbage disposal. Always consult a professional if you’re unsure about maintenance or replacement to ensure everything is working properly.
5. Long-Term Dishwasher Maintenance Habits
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Schedule Deep Cleanings Every Few Months
The Importance of Deep Cleaning: Scheduling a deep cleaning for your dishwasher every few months is essential for preventing odors. Over time, food particles, grease, and hard water deposits can build up, even with regular maintenance.
A deep clean helps remove these stubborn residues and ensures every part of the dishwasher is fresh. This not only improves the smell but also keeps the appliance running efficiently. Regular deep cleanings help extend the life of your dishwasher and enhance its overall performance.
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Use High-Temperature Wash Cycles Occasionally
How Hot Water Helps Eliminate Bacteria and Grime: Running a high-temperature wash cycle occasionally is beneficial for keeping your dishwasher clean. Hot water helps eliminate bacteria, grime, and food particles that can cause odors. The heat also helps dissolve grease and soap scum that might be stuck in the dishwasher’s interior.
By sanitizing the dishwasher with hot water, you create a cleaner environment for your dishes and prevent unpleasant smells from developing. Aim to use this cycle every month or so for the best results.
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Check and Replace Worn Out Parts
6. When to Call a Professional
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Signs You Need Expert Help
Persistent Smells Despite Cleaning Efforts: If you’ve tried cleaning your dishwasher multiple times and still notice persistent odors, it might signal a larger issue. Odors that don’t go away could mean there’s a hidden problem that needs attention.
Possible Dishwasher Malfunctions: Potential issues include faulty drainage systems, which can prevent water from draining properly, or mold buildup in hard-to-reach areas. Both of these problems can cause bad smells and may require a professional inspection. If you suspect a malfunction, don’t hesitate to call an expert to ensure your dishwasher is functioning correctly and safely.
Tips on How to Keep the Dishwasher From Smelling Between Washes
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Always leave the spray arm clean after every wash
When the spray arm is not cleaned correctly, it may clog, leading to an unpleasant smell in the dishwasher. A clogged spray arm will also not help clean the dishes too well. Make sure you have your arm sprays fresh and clean before your next wash.
All you need to do is take the arms off and run water through them. If any clogs are left, use a toothpick to unclog the holes. Run water through the arm spray one more time till clear.
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Leave your dishwasher in the inside after use
You can do this easily with a piece of cloth and hot soapy water. Scrub off all the grime and soap scum to avoid it from building up. The fabric and water wipe them all off.
Wipe the door gasket and racks to avoid mold from growing on them.
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Always leave the drain filters clean
A clogged drain filter is a common cause of dishwasher smells. Always clean out the filter as often as possible.
Dethatch the filter from your dishwasher and cleaning out at the kitchen sink. Use hot soapy water and a brush. Before putting the filter back in, wipe off all the remaining food particles.
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Clean the garbage disposal
With a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you will likely experience a smelly dishwasher. A smelly dishwasher could mean that the garbage disposal and hose are not clean. The dishwasher pumps dirty water into the garbage disposal through the hose. Take out the hose and confirm whether the smell is coming from the garbage disposal.
If so, clean the garbage disposal hose using a cloth and a bottle brush. You can use small pieces of lemon to clean the hose out and some white vinegar through the hose when done.
The Vinegar and Baking Soda Trick
Cleaning out every component of a dishwasher is a good way on how to keep your dishwasher from smelling between washes. However, backing soda or vinegar can be used as a final deep clean procedure. They do wonders for a smelly dishwasher.
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Vinegar
Vinegar is perfect for dishwasher cleaning. It neutralizes the stench of residue food particles; cuts down grease and sum build up.
First, empty your dishwasher. Place a bowl with a cup of distilled vinegar on the top rack on the glasses side. Run the dishwasher once on hot and then open the door for about an hour. This is to make sure it airs out.
This process is recommended for a dishwasher at least once every three months. Though it is not always recommended in between washes, it prolongs the freshness of your dishwasher.
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Baking soda
Using backing sods is another easy way on how to keep the dishwasher from smelling between washes. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda at the bottom of your dishwasher and run a short cycle on hot. You can do this as often as possible, and it will leave your dishwasher brighter and fresh.
Other ways on how to keep the dishwasher from smelling between washes include:
- Give your dishes enough space in-between them for soap and water to pass quickly.
- Avoid over-stacking the dishwasher. Your dishes will hardly clean well, and there will be a lot of food particles accumulating on the drain filter.
- Lightly Rinsing and scrapping food from the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher helps avoid too many food particles swirling in the dishwasher.
- Scrap off all the big chunks of food to avoid blockage.
Conclusion
To recap the key steps on how to keep your dishwasher from smelling between washes, remember to regularly clean the filter, wipe down the interior and seals, and use natural cleaning solutions like vinegar and baking soda. It’s also important to load dishes correctly, check for blockages, and schedule deep cleanings every few months. Regular maintenance is crucial for a fresh-smelling dishwasher.
By following these practical tips, you can prevent odors and ensure your dishwasher runs efficiently. Keep up with these simple tasks, and enjoy a cleaner, odor-free appliance for years to come!
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