Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?

Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?

If your dishwasher’s emitting a bad odour, that could spell disaster for your dishwasher's functionality and for your sense of smell! There are many factors that can cause this issue but fortunately, there are a few things you can do at home to get rid of the bad smell and keep your dishwasher smelling fresh. 

Eliminate Food Particles

Start by running hot water in the sink closest to the dishwasher to clean out food particles. Next, open up the dishwasher and prop open the door with a rubber stop or wooden block so that it doesn't close on its own. Then, pour a cup of white vinegar into a bowl and place it upside down on the top rack of the dishwasher. Finally, run a hot cycle without detergent. The steam from the vinegar will help loosen any food particles that are stuck on the interior of the dishwasher, and the hot water will flush them away. 

dishwasher giving a terrible odour

Prevent Grease Build-up

If you don't have a garbage disposal or are not adequately clearing your dishes of food particles before loading them into the dishwasher, grease and food scraps can build up on the dishwasher's filters and cause an unpleasant smell. To prevent this from happening, scrape off any food residue from your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. In addition, try running a cycle with hot water and vinegar once a month to help remove any grease or food that has already accumulated. 

Leave The Door Open After Use 

One of the best ways to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh is to leave the door open after each use. This allows air to circulate inside the appliance and helps prevent moisture buildup, leading to mould growth and foul odours. If you're concerned about energy usage, there are tools that you can use which can help you save energy while airing out your dishwasher such as investing in a high-quality airtight door seal that will keep heat and moisture from escaping when the door is open. 

To reiterate, a bad-smelling dishwasher is usually caused by trapped food particles or grease build-up. To get rid of the odour, start by eliminating food particles with a hot water and vinegar cycle. Then, prevent grease build-up by scraping off dishes before loading them into the dishwasher or running a hot water and vinegar cycle once a month. Finally, leave the door open after each use to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup. If none of those options work, your friends at Capital Appliance Repair are here to help. If your dishwasher is emitting an odour that you just can’t shake, contact us at (647) 454-1577 to book your appliance repair today.

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