How to Clean Your Stinky Dishwasher

One of the most annoying problems in the kitchen is a stinky dishwasher. Every time you open it, you are bombarded with a nasty stench and you never feel like your dishes are really getting clean. Before running out and buying a new one, try some of these tips.

Clean the dishwasher itself.

First try running the dishwasher with the dish soap, but no dishes.

Gently remove the racks and scrub the dishwasher with hot, soapy water.

Check the seals for any mold or food stains. Bleach them away or make a paste of baking soda and water to scrub them away.

Use the natural cleaning powers of baking soda and white vinegar.

Try running the dishwasher with baking soda in place of soap. Add a few cups of white vinegar at the rinse cycle.

When not in use, keep a bowl of baking soda inside the closed, empty dishwasher.

Take care of the garbage disposal.

At least once or twice a year, sharpen your garbage disposal blades by dumping a tray’s worth of ice cubes down it and running it. Sharper blades should help to better grind up the food.

Be sure to run the garbage disposal prior to running the dishwasher.

Be careful of what you put down the garbage disposal. Grease and oils should never go down your drain. Starchy foods, such as potato skins, also should never go down the drain. If some does accidentally, be sure to run hot water immediately.

If you choose to use a drain cleaner, be sure to read the back carefully, to be sure it is safe for garbage disposals.

Pre-clean dishes.

Rinse your dishes well before you put them in the dishwasher, especially if they are going to sit in there for a while.

Soak dishes in hot, soapy water or white vinegar prior to loading the dishwasher, to help loosen any stuck-on food.

Try to frequently run your dishwasher. You want it to be full, but not overflowing.

Check the pipes.

Sometimes there can be a build-up of food or grease in the pipes. You can try to reach down there with a special pipe-cleaning brush. However, disposals can make this difficult. Call in a professional to help take apart and clean the pipes.

Look for a new dishwasher.

If all else fails, you may just need to start looking for a new dishwasher. Be sure to shop around and shop smart.