DIY Fix: Smelly Dishwasher

For an appliance that cleans so effectively, dishwashers can get seriously dirty. Food particles from dirty dishes can get stuck in any number of places in and around a dishwasher and, if left unattended, will start to smell pretty bad.

If your dishwasher has an unpleasant odor but still cleans dishes effectively, the fix should be relatively simple using materials you probably have around the house. However, if you just aren’t a DIY person, you can always call the St. Louis appliance repair and dishwasher repair experts at Diamond Factory Appliance.

Below are our DIY tips for fixing a stinky dishwasher:

Clean or replace the filter. Locate the filter in the interior bottom of the machine, remove it, discard debris, and wash with the vinegar/water solution or dish soap. Replace filter. If your dishwasher is older or used often, your filter may just be past its prime. Food buildup over time can cause your filter to stop working effectively, and make it more difficult for food particles to vacate the machine. Check with the manufacturer to see if you can purchase a replacement filter. If not, call Diamond Factory Appliance – we probably have the part you need.

Wipe down the interior. Empty the dishwasher of dishes and utensils and remove the racks. Dip a microfiber cloth in a solution of equal parts water and vinegar and wipe down the interior walls of the dishwasher and the racks..

Run a cleaning cycle. Empty the dishwasher and put a bowl with about a cup of cleaning vinegar on the top rack. Vinegar works great on a smelly dishwasher – it cleans, sanitizes, and deodorizes without harming the machine. If you don’t like the smell of pure vinegar, you can add essential oils or citrus peel to the bowl for a fresh smell. Run the dishwasher on the hottest setting, then open the door and let the interior dry completely before using the machine again.

Repeat. You may find that performing the steps above does not completely get rid of an odor. That’s because they are most effective when performed on a regular basis. Set a reminder to repeat these steps every three months to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and running effectively.

When to call an expert. 

Performing the tips above about once every 3 months or so should keep your dishwasher smelling fresh. If you’ve done this and your dishwasher still has a foul odor, the problem may be located in the discharge drain hose or behind/under the dishwasher unit itself.

The discharge drain hose performs the important task of draining water out and away from the dishwasher as part of the cleaning cycle. This hose can become clogged with food debris that got past the filter, rust or leak, or become tangled or blocked. An experienced dishwasher repair professional can repair or replace the discharge draining hose easily.

If an issue with a discharge hose is ruled out, the foul odor may be caused by mold or mildew growth below or behind the dishwasher unit caused by leakage and water accumulation. Dishwasher leaks aren’t always perceptible, especially if they happen towards the back of the unit. If left untreated, over time even a small dishwasher leak can turn into a big problem. This is a serious issue that goes beyond a simple appliance repair – depending on the type of mold/mildew and extent of the growth, the best course of action is to call in a mold mitigation expert to carefully remove the mold spores from the impacted area.

At Diamond Factory Appliance, we provide expert Amana dishwasher repair, Jenn-Air dishwasher repair, GE dishwasher repair, KitchenAid dishwasher repair, Estate dishwasher repair, and Maytag dishwasher repair to customers in St. Louis, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee’s Summit, O’Fallon, St. Charles, Florissant, Shawnee, Blue Spring, Lenexa, and surrounding communities. If you have an issue with your dishwasher, check with the manufacturer to see if you are covered under your warranty. If not, call Diamond Factory Appliance. Whether you are an experienced DIYer but are stumped by the issue at hand or need help with something simple, we are here to help. Contact us with questions or to schedule your repair today!