A smelly dishwasher is caused by food trapped in the filter, mould and mildew in the door gasket, and stagnant water pooled at the drain. This is different from a visibly dirty dishwasher — the smell comes from decomposing food in places that the wash cycle doesn't effectively clean.
Step 1: Clean the Filter
- Remove the lower dish rack to expose the bottom of the dishwasher
- Locate the filter — a cylindrical component in the floor of the dishwasher, usually with a twist-to-remove mechanism
- Twist and pull out the filter assembly (typically two pieces: a cylindrical mesh tube and a flat mesh screen beneath)
- Rinse under warm running water and use a soft brush to scrub the mesh — trapped food particles in the filter are the most common cause of dishwasher odour
- Reinstall the filter
Step 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda Cycle
- Place a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl filled with 1 cup of white vinegar on the top rack
- Run a hot water cycle — the vinegar disperses throughout the dishwasher and breaks down grease, deodorizes, and kills mould spores
- After the cycle: sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a short hot cycle — baking soda absorbs remaining odours
Step 3: Clean the Door Gasket
- The rubber gasket around the door collects food debris and develops mould — wipe thoroughly with a cloth dampened with white vinegar or diluted bleach solution, working into the folds of the rubber
- Check the bottom edge of the door (the section that faces down when closed) — debris accumulates here and falls into the door when it opens
Preventing Recurring Odour
- Rinse dishes before loading to prevent large food deposits entering the filter
- Clean the filter monthly
- Leave the dishwasher door slightly open after a cycle to allow moisture to escape — a closed, damp dishwasher is an ideal mould environment
- Run the hot cycle with vinegar monthly as preventative maintenance