Four Things to Try When Your Dishwasher Smells Funky

When running properly, your dishwasher is supposed to throughly clean its contents and be stink-free, so if it smells funky during or after a cycle, it probably needs your attention. Here are four things to try to fix dishwasher odors.

Clean the interior

This sounds obvious, but the first step to battling dishwasher smells is to give all the interior surfaces a solid clean. Grime can build up over time and also lead to less-than-sparkling dishes. There are a few methods for cleaning your dishwasher, including lemonade Kool-Aid or a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. Be sure to wipe down the rubber seals and gaskets with warm, soapy water along with the rotating sprayer arm and trays. Check the door lips and bottom of the appliance for food particles while you're at it.

Your dishwasher should be cleaned regularly (around once a month) to prevent buildup and smells.

Clear the filter

Your dishwasher filter catches food particles and debris during a cleaning cycle and must be cleaned regularly, lest these pieces begin to rot and stink up your appliance. Trapped food can recirculate during washes, ending up back on your dishes and reducing your dishwasher's efficiency. (A dirty filter can also lead to dishwasher drain clogs, which we'll get into below.)

A filthy filter is a probable culprit of dishwasher smells, so locate yours and give it a solid clean with warm water and mild soap.

Check for drain clogs

Another cause of dishwasher smells is stagnant dirty water, which can happen if your drain or drain hose are clogged. It may be especially stinky at the beginning of the cycle.

The drain hose connects your dishwasher to your garbage disposal or sink drain to remove food particles and water from your appliance. Debris can build up over time (especially if the tube isn't installed properly), which leads to bacteria growth in the tube and results in foul odors when your dishwasher fills or drains. Clogs can also happen in the drain itself, underneath the screen or strainer in the bottom of your dishwasher.

We've got a guide to unclogging your dishwasher drain, which requires a hose clearing tool and some warm water. Note the clogs are important to address for another reason: they can lead to flooding and water damage in your kitchen.

Replace the drain hose

If you've cleaned your dishwasher and its parts thoroughly and it still smells, you may need to replace the drain hose entirely. Locate the hose under your sink where it exits your dishwasher—if the tube is transparent, you'll be able to see the grimy buildup.

Fortunately, the drain hose is pretty cheap and easy to replace with a few common tools. You'll need to shut off the power and water to your dishwasher before disconnecting anything. This Old House has an excellent step-by-step guide and video detailing the process.

When you install the new hose, be sure to create a high loop to prevent any back flow of dirty water to the dishwasher. Depending on where you live, building codes may actually require an air gap, in which case you should call a plumber.