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How To Clean A Smelly Dishwasher In 5 Easy Steps

Has the smell of rotten eggs taken over your kitchen? Are you compelled to hold your nose every time you open and load your dishwasher? The odor that has taken over your dishwasher will, unfortunately, not go away on its own. While you can clean dishes and utensils with this appliance, it is not an inherently self-cleaning one. That’s why you should read this blog to learn how to clean a smelly dishwasher. 

How To Clean A Smelly Dishwasher In 5 Easy Steps

Quite a few steps are involved in how to clean a smelly dishwasher, all of which are DIY-friendly. The steps for how to clean a smelly dishwasher are right here: 

1. Wash The Drain Filter 

First, check the drain filter. This component’s location is usually in the back of a dishwasher, but you should always check the user manual to be certain. There are two ways to wash this filter: using a nylon brush or toothbrush in distilled white vinegar to clean out the debris or removing the filter and cleaning it with hot and soapy water. Do not reattach the filter until all the food debris is gone. 

2. Unclog The Spray Arms

Unclogging the spray arms is a more straightforward process. All you need is a toothpick or flexible wire to get food particles out of the spray arms. Once you’ve completed this task, you can proceed to the next step for how to clean a smelly dishwasher. 

3. Wipe And Clean The Gasket Seals

The dishwasher door gaskets are ideal for food and bacteria buildup if you neglect to clean them. Just use regular soap, water, and a sponge to wipe down and clean those seals. That way, you can reduce the chances of mold making an appearance in your dishwasher. 

4. Use The Vinegar And Baking Soda Method

Now for the main event of how to clean a smelly dishwasher: cleaning the interior. The best DIY solution for ridding your dishwasher of odors once and for all is the vinegar and baking soda method. First, put a cup of distilled white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher. Keep it empty, and don’t add detergent or run a dry cycle. Just a regular wash cycle with only the distilled white vinegar. Acceptable substitutions include lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. 

After running that first cycle, you will dash a cup of baking soda on the bottom rack or dishwasher floor. Running the dishwasher through a hot water cycle with baking soda will allow you to easily get rid of any remaining food particles and odors. You will then leave the dishwasher door open for about an hour so the moisture doesn’t get trapped and lead to potential mold growth.  

5. Clean The Dishwasher’s Exterior 

Finally, you don’t want to neglect the exterior door of your dishwasher. Just use regular soap and water to scrub it up so that it’s squeaky clean. Leaving your dishwasher door dirty can also lead to particles getting into places that can affect this appliance’s functionality. 

Call ASAP Appliance Repair For An Odor-Free Dishwasher!

Knowing how to clean a smelly dishwasher will save you from having to surround yourself with unpleasant odors and potential issues with functionality, such as clogging and mold growth. However, you want to know who you can call if these cleaning steps do nothing to extinguish the rancid smell of your dishwasher. The good news is that ASAP Appliance Repair happens to be the best appliance repair service in Greater Houston. From leaking washing machines to stinky dishwashers, our technicians can handle anything. Contact us today for our excellent maintenance and repair services.