The internet is full of tips on how to prevent musty smells in your dishwasher, but which ones really work? Here are 7 tips from The Dishwasher Blog.
1. Don’t Overload
2. Use Rinse Aid
3. Use the Right Detergent
4. Run Hot Water Before Starting the Dishwasher
5. Clean the Dishwasher Regularly
6. Leave the Door Open After Each Use (If Possible)
7. Clean or Replace Your Filter
Keeping your dishwasher smelling good and preventing musty odors requires a bit of attention and cleaning. Here are some tips to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and clean:
1. Make sure the gaskets on the door are clean. A dirty gasket can cause a musty smell.
2. Check the drain for food particles or debris that can cause a foul odor.
3. Use a small cup of white vinegar in the top rack of an empty dishwasher once a month to eliminate odors.
4. Clean the filter in your machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions–typically, this is done by pressing down on it while running water through it in the sink.
5. If you have hard water, you may need to run a normal cycle with no detergent once or twice a year to clear out mineral deposits left over from previous cycles.
6. Run warm water through your sink before starting up your dishwasher; this will prevent food particles sitting in the line from getting sucked into your machine and causing foul odors there instead of going down the drain where they belong.
7. Once every few months, use hot water, white vinegar, and baking soda to give the inside of your
1. Run your dishwasher at least once a week, even if it is empty. If you do not have enough dishes to run a full load, use the Rinse and Hold cycle to keep the inside fresh and clean.
2. Clean out any leftovers from dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This may not seem like a big deal, but leftover food can cause bad odors in your dishwasher and on your dishes.
3. Rinse off any sauces or liquids from plates and silverware before putting them in the dishwasher. The same rule applies as with leftovers: rinsing off sauce will prevent odors in your dishwasher and on your dishes.
4. Clean the seal around the door of your dishwasher once a month using an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar or detergent. This will help keep mold from growing and causing odor problems down the road.
5. Avoid using liquid rinse agents, because they can leave an oily film inside your dishwasher which can contribute to musty smells over time.
6. Remove any plastic items that are not dishwasher safe from the bottom rack of your machine before running it (plastic is often permanently discolored by high heat). Over time these materials can melt into
1. Run the dishwasher at least once a week.
2. Wash with vinegar once per month.
3. Scrub the gasket with baking soda and water.
4. Clean out the trap at the bottom of the dishwasher: Remove the filter by rotating the filter counterclockwise, wash it in warm soapy water and rinse well, then replace it.
5. Replace hard water with distilled water: Hard water can cause spots, streaks and residue to build up on all your dishes and inside your dishwasher. You can get rid of this by switching from hard to distilled water after every 5 washes.
6. Clean your dishwasher as a whole: Wipe down the interior walls and door of your dishwasher with a washcloth dipped in warm soapy water, then rinse well with another damp cloth and dry thoroughly using a paper towel or microfiber cloth (not terry cloth).
7. Air out your dishwasher regularly: Simply leave the door open for 10 minutes each day to let fresh air into the tub and prevent musty smells from building up inside your dishwasher.
A smelly dishwasher is an annoying problem that can affect many homeowners. If your dishwasher smells musty, you may be wondering what is causing it and how to fix it. Luckily, there are a number of things you can try to get rid of the odor.
Disinfect the Dishwasher
Run the empty dishwasher with hot water, vinegar and baking soda.
If you have a front-loading washer, clean the rubber seal around the door.
Clean the drain and food catcher at the bottom of your machine.
Use lemons or lemon-scented cleaners to remove smells from your machine.
Run a cycle with bleach once a month to further sanitize your machine.
Allow time for your dishwasher to dry out between uses by leaving the door open after use.
Use baking soda or dishwasher detergent once a month to prevent buildup that could cause odors in your machine.
1. Clean the inside of the door and gasket with a cloth and warm, soapy water only. Spray cleaners can damage the surface of your door and gasket.
2. Leave the door ajar after each use.
3. After the final rinse cycle, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the bottom of your dishwasher. Run a short cycle to complete the cleaning process.
4. Wipe up any standing water with a towel or sponge after each use to prevent mildew build-up.
5. To deodorize, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher and run a normal cycle using no detergent or rinse aids, just hot water for about 30 minutes on the hottest setting available on your machine (this will vary by model).
6. Use your garbage disposal less frequently as food particles tend to accumulate in hard-to-clean areas of your dishwasher. If you have a hard water problem, use a water softener that is designed for use with a dishwasher and follow instructions on how often to add salt to your water softener system.
7. Clean the spray arm assembly by removing it from the dishwasher tub and soaking it in vinegar for 15 minutes once every month or two, depending on usage