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Why Does My Dishwasher Stink?

Washing the dishes might usually be a nice way for you to relax or recharge after a busy evening. After rinsing, you just need to slide a plate into the slots of the racks. But has this routine been disturbed by the invasion of a sewage-like odor? Do you now feel queasy every time you open the dishwasher door? Do you find yourself looking up and asking, “Why does my dishwasher stink?” If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then you really want to know the source of the stink so you can be rid of it once and for all. 

Why Does My Dishwasher Stink? 

Thanks to this blog, you can finally know the answer to “Why does my dishwasher stink?” Keep reading to learn about the potential causes of this foul stench: 

Standing Water

Standing water in the dishwasher can easily lead to unpleasant smells. For starters, it is a sign of a clogged or damaged drain hose or other part, meaning that food particles and debris have been allowed to amass over an extensive period of time. Additionally, standing water can also lead to mold growth in your dishwasher. 

Failing To Run The Dishwasher

Even if you rinse your utensils and dishes before loading the dishwasher, you’re still allowing bacteria to thrive off the food particles. Eventually, the bacteria will spread enough to create odors. That’s why you want to run the dishwasher as soon as it’s fully loaded. 

Clogged Drain Filter

If the answer to “Why does my dishwasher stink?” does not seem to be standing water or a dishwasher that hasn’t been run, you could be dealing with a clogged drain filter. A drain filter can clog if you fail to clean it on a monthly basis. To clean this part thoroughly, you need to locate the filter. It can usually be found somewhere beneath the bottom rack of the dishwasher. 

Upon locating it, you will remove it and then clean it with warm and soapy water. Do not stop washing it until every food particle or piece of debris is gone. After all, letting a drain filter clog is the easiest way to ensure your dishwasher produces an ungodly smell. 

Overstuffing Dishwasher

Believe it or not, the way you load your dishwasher actually matters. Overstuffing your dishwasher can block vital parts that allow for a thorough cleaning. Additionally, it allows debris and food particles to slip between the cracks. The result? You have food particles accumulating more and more until bacteria or mold start thriving to the point where the stench becomes difficult to ignore. They can also easily clog your dishwasher’s drain filter or drain hose to the point where both might sustain damage.

For this reason, you want to be absolutely deliberate with how you load your dishwasher. You don’t want anything to get crammed together, as that can keep particles from being thoroughly washed out. Ensuring that there’s reasonable space between the loaded items will allow for a thorough and satisfactory wash cycle. 

why does my dishwasher stink

ASAP Appliance Repair Will Keep Your Dishwasher In Excellent Working Condition 

You now know four possible answers to the question: “Why does my dishwasher stink?” Of course, these are not the only situations that can lead to a smelly dishwasher. If you’re having trouble determining the source of the stench, you can rely on our team at ASAP Appliance Repair to help you find it and sufficiently clean and repair your dishwasher so it’s back in working order. Whether you have a malfunctioning dishwasher or one that needs a thorough cleaning, all you need to do is contact us today.