Quite often we have bad smells lurking throughout our homes—and I don’t just mean in your refrigerator’s moldy veggie drawer or your musty closet. One such culprit is the dishwasher. Here are four common causes of smelly dishwashers and tips from cleaning pros to send the stink on its way.
1. A Clogged drain filter – to clean your dishwasher drain filter, follow the owner’s manual instructions to remove it from the appliance. Then rinse the filter thoroughly under warm water. If any sticky food debris remains, soak the filter in hot, soapy water for several minutes and gently clean it with a soft brush before rinsing it.
2. Kinked or clogged drain hose – If a hose is kinked, simply smooth it out. But if there is no knot in your hose, it’s time to move on and look for any clogs. If you can’t reach the clog, it might be time to call in a professional.
3. Trapped food – remove all parts of the dishwasher that can be easily removed and cleaning them in hot, soapy water. Parts to wash include your dishwashing racks, spray arms, utensil holder, and filter. Repeat cleaning with vinegar and baking soda monthly to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh.
4. Or a dirty seal – Once every two weeks, wipe the area with a damp cloth dipped in diluted dishwashing liquid. If there are stubborn food stains, use an old toothbrush to scrub them off gently. Avoid using steel wool as it may damage the seal
The O. C. Realty Reality 