If you’re having trouble identifying the strange smell in your kitchen, open the dishwasher door and take a whiff. Even the perfume of freshly baked cookies might be overpowered by a stench-filled dishwasher. Since the scent won’t go away on its own, it’s time to find and fix the causes of your dishwasher’s unpleasant stench.
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Reasons Your Dishwasher Smells Terrible
Food Is Not Scraped Away
Since it negates the purpose of having a dishwasher, some of us are staunchly against rinsing or even washing the dishes before placing them in the machine. Large food particles only need to be scraped off. Before the hot water rinses and sanitizes the dishes, the dishwasher detergent works better if there are food particles to cling to. But if you don’t get rid of the big bits, food can clog the drain line and dishwasher filter, feeding the bacteria that cause the stink.
The dishwasher filter is never cleaned
Are you aware that there is a filter in your dishwasher? A filter in every dishwasher collects food particles to keep the drain line clear. It is typically found at the dishwashing drum’s bottom. Take out the bottom rack, locate the filter, and then, while holding your nose, take it out and thoroughly clean it.
You should do this at least once a month unless your dishwasher filter cleans itself. Cleaning should be done at least every two months, even for self-cleaning filters. Clean both types more frequently if you don’t bother scraping away food before loading the dishwasher.
You Never Run a Cleaning Cycle
The internal walls and racks may get covered in a greasy film that harbors germs, mold spores, and foul-smelling food particles, even with all the hot water and dishwashing detergent running through the appliance.
Use a professional dishwasher cleaner or the dependable distilled white vinegar and baking soda you keep in your cupboard to run a cleaning cycle after cleaning the dishwasher filter. Make sure your dishwasher isn’t overflowing with unwashed dishes, and you’ll be astounded at how quickly the smell goes away.
You Let a Plastic Lid Slip Off the Upper Rack
It’s important to pay attention to any burnt plastic smell coming from the dishwasher as it may indicate wiring issues. But it’s probably a piece of plastic that shouldn’t be washed that got stuck close to the heating element.
Spend some time taking out the bottom rack and examining it for issues. To freshen the inside, remove the offender and scrape away any plastic that has become lodged on the dishwasher floor using a non-metallic utensil. Then, run a cleaning cycle. The stench can also be absorbed by leaving a bowl of baking soda on the top rack of an empty dishwasher.
Your drain is clogged or slow
Do you recall that dishwasher filter that you were unaware of or never cleaned? The dishwasher drains more slowly and may emit an unpleasant stench when it gets blocked. It typically helps to clean the dishwasher and the filter. However, you will need a plumber to unclog the drain pipe if there is a big blockage and water backs up into the dishwasher’s bottom.
You Don’t Clean Your Sink Disposal Unit
Your dishwasher shares the drain pipe with your sink disposal if you have one. The food and soiled water from your dishwasher cannot adequately empty if your disposal is clogged. To ensure that there is no food stuck within, run and flush your disposal; this should help to remove the blockage. In order to possibly eliminate the unpleasant smells, spend some time cleaning the disposal and running a dishwasher cleaning cycle.
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