Where does the unpleasant smell from the dishwasher come from and how to remove it?

The dishwasher is designed to make life easier and relieve a person of work in the kitchen. However, sometimes the device itself becomes a cause for concern. This happens when an unpleasant odor appears from it.
It cannot be ignored; measures must be taken. Read the article about how to remove odors from your dishwasher using improvised and special means.

Causes of unpleasant odor

If the machine is working properly and is used according to the instructions, there will be no smell coming from it. It occurs for a number of reasons, including:

1. 
   Mold growth . The favorite habitats of fungi are: drain filter, hoses, door seal, tubular electric heater. Their appearance is promoted by high humidity and insufficient ventilation.

2. Incorrect operation . Do not load plastic dishes into the machine. Failure to comply with this condition will result in a burning smell.
3. Using low-quality detergents . There are special gels and capsules for the dishwasher that cannot harm the device or cause an unpleasant odor.
4. Formation of blockage . Most often it is represented by food waste, which can accumulate in the mesh filter area, inside the drain hose, under the cuff.
5. Water stagnation . It may accumulate under the cuff and at the bottom of the device. Its rotting will lead to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Preventive measures

To prevent unpleasant odors from causing discomfort to the owner of the dishwasher in the future or not appearing at all, you should follow the basic rules for operating expensive equipment:

• Thoroughly clean dishes from food residues before placing them in the dishwasher drum.
• Clean doors, seals and grilles with a soft cloth, as well as ventilate the working chamber after each wash.
• Regular cleaning of the machine from residual grease and scale with special means for the purpose of prevention.
• Periodically wash the mesh filter, in which the smallest food debris can accumulate.
• Washing dishes immediately after loading them into the dishwasher. If you don’t have time for complete cleaning, it is recommended to at least rinse your kitchen utensils using aromatic agents.

Following these simple rules will help avoid the occurrence of unpleasant odors associated with the accumulation of liquid or impurities in the filter. A dishwasher is an expensive piece of equipment that will serve its owner faithfully if you carry out timely maintenance, clean it of grease and scale, and pay attention to strange odors immediately after they appear. This will help save not only time, but also money that will have to be paid for expensive equipment repairs.

Dishwasher troubleshooting

If the cause of the unpleasant odor is a clog, then you need to clean the mesh filter located under the lower stand of the machine. It is removed and washed under running hot water. To better remove dirt, you can use a brush and soap. When the filter is clean, it is returned to its place.

Sometimes food residues get clogged under the cuff, accumulate at the bottom of the device, begin to rot and emit an unpleasant odor. Therefore, these places must be checked for accumulation of dirt. Its detection requires a general cleaning of the device.

Procedure:

• remove all racks from the dishwasher;
• dilute dishwashing detergent in warm water;
• Using a sponge or soft cloth, wash the walls and bottom of the device;
• process and dry the seals;
• wash the grates and put them in place.

The smell may appear due to improper connection of the device to the drain pipe. In this case, the machine will smell like sewage. To get rid of an unpleasant odor, you need to connect the hose correctly. It should be located at a height of 40 to 100 cm above the sink.

A burning smell indicates a serious breakdown , which requires stopping the operation of the device and calling a specialist.

Preparatory measures

Before you start choosing and using dishwasher cleaning products, you need to prepare the device.

To wash your machine properly and without damaging it, you must do the following:

First you will need to remove all the dishes, otherwise they will be cleaned and not the surfaces of the device. Check the filter and wipe the door. If the filter is at the bottom, see if anything is stuck, such as a spoon

This is important because if something blocks the leak, you will be left with standing dirty water. Filter - a part that captures debris from the inside

The filter screws are unscrewed. Wash it in warm water and soapy water for 10 minutes. Wash the parts where water does not flow during machine operation with soapy water. Pull out the bottom post and inspect the drain area. Locate the drain on the bottom of the dishwasher and remove food with your hands before wiping the area with a clean rag. Make sure there are no objects there that could block the drain or cause damage to the pump or scratches.

Only after these steps can you start cleaning the dishwasher.

How to eliminate it using improvised means?

You can get rid of an unpleasant odor using improvised means that are found in every home. To treat the device, you can use table vinegar.

How to use it:

1. Pour 9% vinegar into a glass or plate with high sides. 50 ml of acid is enough for treatment.
2. Place the dishes on the upper rack of the appliance.
3. Turn on normal dishwashing mode.

Vinegar neutralizes unpleasant odors and disinfects the machine.

You can get rid of the smell using baking soda. Mode of application:

• remove dishes from the machine;
• fill the tray of the device with soda;
• turn on the washing mode at the highest temperature.

Once the cycle is complete, the smell should disappear. If this method turns out to be ineffective, then it needs to be improved.

Procedure:

1. Pour ½ pack of baking soda into a plate with high sides.
2. Add 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil to it.
3. The resulting mixture is placed in the freezer for 20 minutes.
4. A lump is formed from the frozen mass and placed in a basket for dishes.
5. Turn on the dishwasher, setting the water temperature to the highest possible temperature. Waiting for the cycle to complete.

This method allows you to get rid of even the most persistent odor.

You can disinfect the surface of the dishwasher and eliminate unpleasant odors using laundry soap.

Procedure:

1. 
   A quarter of the bar is grated and diluted in 0.5 liters of warm water.

2. Soak a sponge in the solution and treat all the walls and components of the dishwasher with it.
3. Thoroughly wash hard-to-reach places, including seals, drain hole, pan.
4. Lattice baskets are washed separately.
5. Wash off the soap solution with clean water.

After general cleaning, ventilate the device by leaving the door open overnight.

A budget-friendly odor remover is borax. It neutralizes the odor remaining in the device from rotting food waste and sewage.

Use it as follows:

• remove dishes and racks from the machine;
• one package of powdered borax is opened and the entire surface of the washing machine is covered with it;
• turn on the device for a full cycle with additional rinsing;
• wait until the wash is completed, open the door and ventilate the machine for an hour.

Traditional cleaning methods

Some experienced housewives clean the dishwasher using home remedies. Their advantage is that they can be found in any home, are considered natural and safe, and are inexpensive.

Using table vinegar

Vinegar is considered an excellent tool for removing scale from the walls of an electrical device and removing unpleasant odors.

To carry out manipulations, the following points should be observed:

• Pour about 50-60 milliliters of table vinegar into a glass.
• Place on the top rack of the dishwasher.
• Turn on the device to normal mode.

Don't worry about vinegar having an unpleasant odor. It will disappear after finishing washing.

Using Baking Soda

If the smell has just appeared, you can remove it with baking soda. To do this, take about half a glass of baking soda and pour it into the bottom of the dishwasher. Enable any program. Upon completion, you can see an excellent result.

Special preparations

There are many products on sale to rid your dishwasher of unpleasant odors. Top 3 best lineups:

Finish

Dishwasher cleaner is placed in the appliance along with the bottle and the cycle is started . The water temperature should not be less than 65 degrees. The product helps get rid of unpleasant odors, remove scale and fat deposits. The price of a 250 ml bottle is 300 rubles.

Somat Machine cleaner

The dishwasher cleaner is available in tablet form. You can load them into the machine along with the dishes. They eliminate unpleasant odors and help clean all hard-to-reach places in the device. Their use allows you to eliminate minor blockages, remove scale and fat deposits. The price for a package with 3 tablets is 600 rubles.

Paclan

A dishwasher cleaner is available in the form of a gel; its use can effectively get rid of unpleasant odors and grease deposits. In one cycle, the entire package will be used up; it will not be possible to divide it into several parts. The bottle with the cleaning product is placed in the machine without unscrewing the cap (it will dissolve on its own while the device is operating). The price of a 250 ml bottle is 200 rubles.

Prevention

Preventing unpleasant odors from your dishwasher:

1. To prevent mold from forming in the machine, it must be ventilated regularly. To do this, after use, you can leave the door ajar for 1-2 hours.
2. It is advisable to remove washed dishes from the appliance immediately after the cycle has completed.
3. Only special products can be used in the dishwasher. A prerequisite is their correct dosage. It is unacceptable to put washing powder, bleach or abrasive compounds into the device.
4. Periodically you need to remove the drain hose and wash it of dirt.
5. Before loading dishes into the appliance, they must be cleaned of food residues.
6. The dishwasher must be thoroughly cleaned at least 2 times a month.
7. It is recommended to run an additional rinse every 2-3 cycles.

How to get rid of the smell in the dishwasher?

To protect themselves from unpleasant and tedious household chores, people buy dishwashers. Over time, if not properly maintained, the unit may develop an unpleasant odor. Periodically, approximately once every 3-4 months, it must be cleaned. Then the dishwasher will do its job efficiently and effectively. Otherwise, such a “helper” will present you with surprises - stuck food residues on the dishes, poorly washed plates and, of course, an unpleasant smell. From this article you will learn how to clean your dishwasher yourself without involving specialists or extra expenses.

Helpful information

Tips for caring for your dishwasher to prevent unpleasant odors:

• after using any cleaning product, you need to ventilate the device - the longer it remains open, the better;
• Do not scrub the surface of the dishwasher with a hard metal brush;
• Do not violate the rules for operating the device specified in the instructions;
• to get rid of a slight odor, before the next wash you need to put 2-3 slices of lemon in the basket and run the standard program;
• If the dishes are loaded into the machine, but there is no time to run a full washing cycle, you need to turn on the rinse - this will wash away food residues and prevent them from rotting.

You will find a lot of useful and important information about removing various unpleasant odors from objects and surfaces in this section.

Care

To prevent unpleasant odors from appearing in your dishwasher, you should:

• clean plates from food debris before loading them into an electrical appliance;
• wash household appliances 2 times a month;
• use an additional rinse after the main cycle;
• remove scale from the walls;
• clean the filter and drain hose;
• Dry the machine after washing dishes.

Do not leave dirty and washed dishes in the dishwasher hopper for a long time. It is advisable to start the cycle after loading the dishes. The devices are taken out after they have dried.

You should run a dry program using high temperatures monthly to break down buildup and keep your dishwasher free of odors. Once every 6 months, preventive cleaning should be performed to remove mold and scale. It is important to flush the drain system regularly:

• filter;
• pipes;
• hose.

Dirt on the trays can be removed manually using detergents.