The five most common causes of bad dishwasher odor are:

Carbon Buildup

Food Buildup

Seal Deterioration

Door Gasket Deterioration

Other Odors from Things in the Kitchen

We included more detail on each of these below, as well as some tips for getting rid of the odors. If you’re interested in buying a new dishwasher, we have also listed our top three picks at the end. We can’t guarantee that they won’t get smelly, but they’re all top performers and will be much easier to keep clean.

We at Wirecutter are sometimes asked why our guide to the best dishwasher includes a Bible verse. In addition to being a great dishwasher, the $650 Bosch Ascenta is also the only machine that does not have any sort of filter that traps food debris, which is one of the most common causes of bad odor in the dishwasher. So we thought we would take this opportunity to examine the five most common causes of bad odor in your dishwasher.

1) Food Debris

The most obvious cause of bad odor in your dishwasher is food debris. You can solve this problem by either getting a self-cleaning filter – like those found in the KitchenAid and Samsung models we tested – or by cleaning it manually. We recommend doing both: run a cycle with no dishes and then clean out the filter when you’re done. To do this, simply dump all the water from your dishwasher and remove the bottom rack. Then take out the filter and wash it in soap and warm water until it’s clean.

2) Water Heater

If you’re using an electric water heater, you may be experiencing “thermal shock,” which occurs when hot water from your dishwasher mixes with cold water from your tap. This can happen when

Most people don’t realize that dishwashers are designed to be water and air tight. This means no air or water can escape or enter the appliance once it’s running. If your dishwasher is stinky, it’s probably because there is a leak in the seals or door gasket.

The most common causes of this are:

1. Uninstalled Drain Hose – The drain hose connects from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal or drain line under the sink. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, then you need to attach an air gap to the top of your sink and connect the drain hose from the dishwasher to this air gap. Then install the drain hose from the air gap back into your drain line.

2. Leaky Door Gasket – A leaky door gasket is typically caused by dropping something heavy on it, or by accidently cutting it when installing or removing a dish rack. If you notice that your door gasket is torn or ripped, replace it immediately with a new one (see image below).

3. Clogged Spray Arm Nozzle – The spray arm nozzle on each rack shoots high pressure water at your dishes while cleaning them in your dishwasher. If one of these clogs up, then water will not

You’ve noticed it before: that lingering, musty smell coming from your dishwasher when you pull open the door. It’s not quite as overwhelming as a stinky garbage disposal or a smelly drain, but it’s certainly not pleasant.

There are many reasons your dishwasher may be smelly, but there’s good news: the solution is often simple. In this post we’ll cover how to get rid of foul dishwasher smells and how to prevent odors in the future.

Dishwasher smells can be divided into two categories, depending on which part of the dishwasher stinks:

If you have a bad smell coming from only one part of your dishwasher, there’s a good chance that something has gotten stuck in or under that part. If you have a bad smell coming from every part of your kitchen, there’s a good chance something has gone wrong with your plumbing and the problem needs to be addressed immediately.

Here are our five quick tips for dealing with common causes of bad dishwasher odor.

A stinky dishwasher is an all-too-common problem, but it’s a surprisingly easy one to fix. Here are the five most common causes of stinky dishwashers and how to fix them.

1. Food that’s left in the dishwasher

Food left in the dishwasher can cause mold and mildew to form in the drain or filter. This is the most common cause of stinky dishwashers. To fix it, simply scrape plates before putting them in the dishwasher, then run a cycle with only white vinegar and no dishes (no detergent either). If there’s still a smell after running this vinegar cycle, clean your filter, which is usually underneath the bottom rack. You may have to use a screwdriver to unscrew part of the dishwasher’s base plate for access to the filter.

2. Detergent residue on dishes

Sometimes soap residue can build up on your dishes, especially if you use powdered soap instead of liquid or pods. The residue will often accumulate along with bits of food and become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. To fix this problem, run a cycle with only white vinegar and no detergent at all (and no dishes). Repeat if necessary until there are no longer any suds in the

If your dishwasher is stinky, here are 5 common reasons why:

1. Your dishwasher needs a good cleaning

2. Your garbage disposal may be at fault

3. You aren’t using the right soap

4. Your dishwasher has a clogged drain hose

5. The water valve is not closing properly

The bad news is that if you’ve got a smelly dishwasher, you probably have a lemon and will need to buy a new one. The good news is that the Wirecutter has you covered with our top picks for best dishwashers.

The Wirecutter is a list of great technology by Brian Lam and friends, founded in 2011 and a part of the New York Times Company since 2016. Have a question? Tweet at us. Our staff includes a former Head of Product from one of the largest consumer review sites on the internet. The Wirecutter is a buyer’s guide for people who want to cut the cord, with reviews of all the best TVs, streaming devices, speakers and more.