A dishwasher that smells can cause quite a bit of discomfort in your kitchen.

The nasty smell often comes from food leftovers and grease that build up in the filter or in hidden corners of your dishwasher. Also if you do not use the dishwasher regularly, food leftovers can start to rot and your dishwasher smells. A wrongly connected drain hose can likewise cause problems through dirty water running back into the machine. Each of these causes can be tackled to get your dishwasher smelling fresh again.

Simple steps to get rid of the nasty smell

Step 1. Empty and inspect: Make sure the dishwasher is empty and check for leftover food. Remove large pieces of food leftovers.

Step 2. Clean the filters: Take the filters out of the bottom of the dishwasher and clean them well under running warm water. Use a soft brush to remove stuck dirt.

Step 3. Let the dishwasher clean itself: Place a dish with white vinegar on the top rack and run an empty cycle at the highest temperature. Vinegar neutralises odours and helps remove grease.

Step 4. Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and leave this overnight. The next morning run a short programme to remove smells and rinse the inside clean.

Thorough cleaning techniques

Cleaning the drain pump

Start by consulting the manual of your dishwasher, so you know how to safely get access to the drain pump, which you usually find at the bottom of the appliance.

Once there, inspect the pump for any blockages; food leftovers and other waste can build up and make your dishwasher smell. Carefully remove this dirt with your hands or tweezers. Then use a soft brush to scrub stubborn dirt loose and rinse it away under warm running water. While scrubbing also check for possible damage to the drain pump, such as small cracks or broken parts that can affect the working of your dishwasher. Make sure you let the drain pump dry well before you put it back. By following these simple steps, you make sure your dishwasher keeps performing optimally and stays free of unwanted smells.

Cleaning spray arms and door seals

Take the spray arms out and use a toothpick to free the holes. Wipe the door seals with a damp cloth to remove mould and built-up dirt. This can be the source of a dishwasher that smells. By cleaning the spray arms and door seals, you not only reduce existing odours, you also improve the cleaning performance and the maintenance of your dishwasher.

Periodic maintenance for a well-working dishwasher

• Run a hot wash programme monthly: Choose the hottest programme your dishwasher has to effectively dissolve grease build-up and food leftovers. This helps thoroughly clean the inside of your dishwasher and limit bacterial growth.

• Descale your dishwasher: Hard water can cause limescale, which reduces the efficiency of your dishwasher. Use descaling products regularly for the best lifespan and performance of your dishwasher.

• Regular maintenance is essential: for a thorough clean you use deep-clean tablets to keep your dishwasher clean and fresh. These are specially designed to clean your dishwasher thoroughly. Follow the instructions on the pack for the best result.

Tips to prevent your dishwasher smelling

Tip 1. Empty and rinse plates: Remove large food leftovers before you put plates in the dishwasher. This reduces the amount of food that stays behind in the machine and can start to rot.

Tip 2. Regular cleaning: Clean the filters and drain at least once a month to prevent build-up of grease and food leftovers.

Tip 3. Use the right cleaning products: Choose dishwasher tablets or powder that can effectively break down grease and limescale. Now and then using a dishwasher cleaner also helps keep the machine fresh.

Tip 4. Leave the dishwasher door open after use: After running a wash programme leaving the door a bit open provides ventilation and helps prevent moisture and smells building up.

Tip 5. Regularly run a hot wash programme: Once a month run an empty dishwasher on the hottest programme. This helps remove grease and food leftovers that may have settled in less accessible parts of the machine.

To make sure your dishwasher does not smell, regular maintenance is very important. Every month run a wash programme at the highest temperature to dissolve grease and food leftovers well, and to counter bacteria. Also do not forget to descale your dishwasher regularly; this prevents limescale that can affect the working. For a deep clean use special deep-clean tablets according to the directions on the pack for the best result.

In addition you can do a few simple things every day, so your dishwasher does not smell. Take large food leftovers off the plates before you put them in the dishwasher, so less food stays behind that can start to rot. 

Clean the filters and the drain at least once a month to counter build-up of grease and food leftovers. Also choose the right cleaning products, such as dishwasher tablets or powder that effectively tackle grease and limescale. And after every wash programme leave the dishwasher door a bit open; this helps ventilate the machine and prevents your dishwasher smelling.