How to get rid of dishwasher odor

Why does your dishwasher smell, anyway?

A smelly dishwasher doesn’t happen overnight. It usually builds up from a mix of small issues that add up over time.

• Food particles: Bits of food can get trapped in the filter, drain, and small crevices inside your dishwasher, where they break down and create unpleasant odors.

• Grease buildup: Grease and soap scum can collect in spray arms and along the drain, coating surfaces and trapping odors.

• Standing water: Poor drainage can leave small pools of water in the bottom of the dishwasher, creating a musty smell.

• Hard water deposits and mold: Mineral deposits can build up on surfaces, and moisture inside the dishwasher can encourage mold or mildew growth, both of which contribute to lingering odors.

The good news is that once you know what’s causing the smell, you can take simple steps to clear out buildup and keep your dishwasher fresh.

Quick checks before you deep clean

Before you jump into a full dishwasher cleaning session, a few quick checks can help you pinpoint what’s causing the smell.

• Check the filter: Pull out the dishwasher filter (usually located at the bottom) and check for trapped food particles, grease, or debris. A clogged filter is one of the most common odor culprits.

• Look for food scraps or standing water: Peek into the bottom of the tub for stray pasta pieces, soggy seeds, or any standing water that might be hiding a stink.

• Sniff around the door seals: The rubber door seals can trap food residue and moisture along the edges. Run a cloth along the seal to check for buildup, and take a quick sniff to see if that’s where the odor is coming from.

• Check drainage: If water is pooling in the bottom after cycles, your dishwasher may not be draining completely. Poor drainage can lead to lingering smells and mold growth.

These simple checks can help you find and clear the source of odors quickly, and give you a head start before doing a deeper clean.

Step-by-step: How to get rid of dishwasher odor

Ready to freshen up your dishwasher? Here’s how to get rid of dishwasher odor with a few simple steps.

Clean the filter

Remove the dishwasher filter (usually at the bottom) and rinse it under hot water. Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to scrub away any grease, trapped food, or debris stuck in the mesh. A clean filter helps water drain properly and keeps trapped food from rotting and stinking up your dishwasher.

Scrub the door seals and edges

Using a warm, soapy cloth or a vinegar solution, wipe down the rubber door seals and the edges where grime likes to hide. Pay attention to the folds in the seal where moisture and crumbs can collect. This area is often overlooked but can be a major source of lingering odors. If you find mold along the gasket, replace the dishwasher door seal, as removing mold completely can be difficult.

Run a cleaning cycle

Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of your empty dishwasher and run a hot water cycle. The vinegar helps break down grease, dissolve mineral deposits, and neutralize odors. For an extra freshening boost, sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short hot cycle afterward.

Check and clean the spray arms

Remove the spray arms if your model allows, and flush water through the holes to clear out any trapped debris. If holes are clogged, use a toothpick or small brush to clear them. Clean spray arms ensure water is circulating properly, which helps prevent buildup that can lead to odors.

These steps can help clear out the gunk and buildup that causes most dishwasher odors, leaving your appliance smelling fresh and ready for your next load of dishes.

Keep your dishwasher smelling fresh

Once you’ve tackled the odor, a few simple dishwasher maintenance habits can help keep it smelling clean between deep cleans:

• Run hot water before starting cycles: Let your sink’s hot water run for a minute before starting the dishwasher. This ensures the first fill is hot, helping dissolve grease and food particles that can contribute to odors.

• Scrape food off dishes before loading: You don’t need to pre-wash, but scraping off large food scraps helps prevent clogs and trapped debris in the filter.

• Leave the door open slightly after cycles: Cracking the door open after a wash lets moisture escape, helping prevent mold, mildew, and musty smells from building up inside.

• Consider monthly cleaning with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner: Running a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar or using a dishwasher cleaning product monthly helps break down grease and mineral deposits before they cause odors.

These small steps can help your dishwasher stay fresh and clean, so the only smell you notice in your kitchen is what’s coming from dinner in the oven.

When odor means a bigger issue

If your dishwasher still smells bad even after a thorough cleaning, it might be pointing to a deeper problem that a vinegar cycle alone won’t fix.

Persistent odors can indicate:

• Drain hose issues or blockages: A kinked, clogged, or improperly installed drain hose can cause dirty water to sit in the bottom of your dishwasher, leading to foul smells.

• Problems with the garbage disposal connection: If your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal, a clog or buildup there can send odors back into the dishwasher.

• Mold or mildew in hard-to-reach areas: Seals, hidden crevices, and insulation around the tub can sometimes harbor mold that needs professional cleaning or parts replacement.

If you’ve ruled out food debris, filter clogs, and drainage issues but the odor keeps coming back, it may be time to dig deeper. Visit our DIY dishwasher repair page for troubleshooting guides, symptom checks, and repair help, or consider calling a technician to ensure your dishwasher is running properly.

A smelly dishwasher is a common but fixable problem. With a few simple checks, regular filter cleaning, and the occasional vinegar rinse, you can keep odors from coming back and ensure your dishwasher keeps doing its job without complaint. With a little routine care, your dishwasher will go back to smelling like nothing - which is exactly what clean smells like.