Easy Tips for Eliminating Dishwasher Odors

How to Get Rid of the Smells in Your Automatic Dishwasher

If you notice a strange, alarming smell every time you open your automatic dishwasher, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. All kinds of food and debris can collect in your dishwasher, creating some truly nasty odors overtime. It’s important to clean out the interior of the appliance every once in a while to make sure that your family’s food is being disposed of properly. Use these DIY tips for removing offensive smells from your dishwasher.

Clean the Drain Filter

This filter is the exit point for all the food and liquid that you put into your dishwasher. Open your dishwasher and search for a small mesh contraption, usually found along the floor of the appliance. You’ll probably find something stuck to the inside of the filter. Thoroughly wash the drain filter in your sink until all the food and slimy residue has vanished.

Wipe Down Inside Surfaces

With all the splashing and spraying going on inside your dishwasher, it’s a wonder that the walls inside the appliance are ever clean at all. Occasionally, you might notice a few streaks of food or liquid dashed across the inside of the machine. Pull out the racks and quickly wipe down all the internal surfaces, including the walls, the floor, and the ceiling. Everything should be sparkling white when you’re finished.

Wash the Racks

While you have the dish racks out of the machine, you might as well rinse them off in your sink. Pay special attention to what’s underneath the racks, another common place where food residue can easily hide. Slide the racks back into the machine and see if your odor problems have vanished.

Run a Vinegar Cycle

As unpleasant as the smell of white vinegar can be, it can be effective when it comes to removing harsh smells. To start, make sure that there is nothing inside your dishwasher. Now add a small glass of white vinegar. 8 ounces should do the trick. Leave the glass standing up right instead of dumping the vinegar all over the inside of the machine. Now run the machine using a normal cycle. When the cycle is complete, all the vinegar should be gone along with all those nasty smells. If you still smell the vinegar, don’t fret. The scent of vinegar won’t linger for more than a few hours.

Toss in Some Baking Powder

You can also try tossing a handful of baking powder into the machine before your next load. Baking powder is considered an all-natural deodorizer, making it an excellent choice for your dishwasher. The baking powder should mix with the soap you use on your dishes to get rid of those unruly odors.

Contact Your Local Dishwasher Repair Man

If these strange smells persist, you might have a more serious problem on your hands. Contact your local appliance repair man for advice and assistance. They will inspect the parts of your dishwasher that might be malfunctioning such as the drain hose or the electrical connection.

Get in touch with the professionals at Absolute Appliances Repair for the best dishwasher repair in the San Francisco area.