How to Get the Stink Out of a Dishwasher Fast and Easy

You know that awful smell that sometimes comes from your dishwasher? It’s so frustrating because this machine is supposed to clean your dishes, not make your whole kitchen stink. You’re not alone. I went through the same problem, and I finally found the real fix. The stink is usually from food bits stuck in places you can’t see. In this article, you’ll learn the best and easiest way to get the stink out of a dishwasher and keep it smelling fresh every time.

Clean Out the Filter and Drain Area

One of the main reasons your dishwasher smells bad is because food bits and grease get trapped in the filter and drain area. This is where all the dirty water goes, and if it doesn’t get cleaned out often, it starts to smell. When this happens, your dishes may also start to smell even after washing them.

The first thing to do is open the dishwasher and pull out the bottom rack. This will let you reach the bottom area where the filter is. Most filters are easy to take out by turning them a little and lifting them up. You don’t need tools for this. Take the filter out carefully.

Next, check if the filter looks dirty or greasy. If you see food stuck in it, rinse it under hot water. Use a soft toothbrush or an old sponge to gently scrub it. Make sure you clean both sides. If there is a lot of grease, you can soak it in warm soapy water for 10–15 minutes before scrubbing.

After the filter is clean, look at the drain area at the bottom of the dishwasher. This is where water goes out, and food bits often get stuck here. Use a paper towel or your hand (with gloves) to scoop out anything you find in there. You might see small bones, seeds, or even glass pieces, so be careful.

Now that the filter and drain area are clean, put the filter back the same way you took it out. Make sure it locks into place. If it’s loose, it won’t work right and might cause more problems.

Some people never clean the filter because they don’t even know it’s there. But cleaning this small part once a week can stop the stink from coming back. It only takes about 10 minutes, but it makes a huge difference.

• Remove and rinse the bottom filter
• Use hot water and a soft brush
• Check and clean the drain area
• Remove food bits and grease
• Put the filter back in place

Scrub the Inside Walls and Door

The inside of your dishwasher may look clean at first glance, but grease and soap scum build up over time, especially on the walls and the door. These areas can trap food smells and make your dishwasher stink.

Start by getting a sponge or soft cloth. You’ll also need a bowl of warm soapy water or a mix of white vinegar and water. Open the dishwasher door all the way and begin by wiping down the edges of the door. This is one of the dirtiest places because food and grime often collect here, and most people don’t clean it.

Use your sponge to clean all along the door seal — that rubber part around the edge. This seal traps water inside during a wash, but it also traps dirt and smells. Wipe it thoroughly. You might need to go over it a few times if it’s really dirty. If you see mold or black spots, don’t panic. Use a little baking soda and scrub it gently.

Now move to the inside walls. Wipe from top to bottom, including the corners. Grease from dirty dishes can splash up and stick to the walls, even if you can’t always see it. Wipe down the racks too, especially the parts where dishes touch the frame. These can also collect bits of old food.

Don’t forget the inside of the door. This spot is often missed, but it gets splashed with dirty water during each cycle. Clean around the soap dispenser and the handle area. If there’s any soap build-up, scrub gently until it’s gone.

Doing this deep clean every two weeks will help keep your dishwasher smelling fresh. It doesn’t take long, but the difference it makes is huge.

• Use vinegar or soapy water
• Clean the rubber door seal
• Wipe down inside walls and racks
• Scrub corners and hard-to-see spots
• Focus on the soap dispenser area

Run a Vinegar Wash Cycle

White vinegar is like magic when it comes to cleaning and removing smells. It’s cheap, natural, and easy to find. When you run a vinegar cycle in your dishwasher, it helps to kill bad smells, break down grease, and clear away leftover soap that might be stuck inside.

To do this, take a cup of plain white vinegar and pour it into a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup. Place the bowl on the top rack of the dishwasher. Don’t add any dishes or soap. Close the door and run a full hot-water cycle. Make sure the water is as hot as possible. Some dishwashers let you choose “sanitize” or “heavy wash” — that’s perfect.

As the cycle runs, the vinegar mixes with the hot water and spreads through the machine. It goes into the filter, the spray arms, and even the pipes inside. This helps remove bad smells and clean parts you can’t reach with your hands.

If your dishwasher smells really bad, you can also sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom before running the vinegar cycle. This boosts the cleaning power even more and helps scrub away odor-causing stuff.

Do this at least once a month, even if your dishwasher doesn’t stink right now. It keeps the whole machine fresh and clean.

• Place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack
• Run a hot-water cycle with no dishes
• Use baking soda for extra cleaning
• Cleans hidden parts inside the dishwasher
• Repeat once a month for best results

Check and Clean the Spray Arms

Spray arms are the spinning parts inside your dishwasher that shoot water onto your dishes. If they get clogged with food or hard water, they stop working right. This means dishes don’t get cleaned well, and old food can stay stuck, causing a nasty smell over time.

Start by pulling out the racks so you can reach the spray arms. There’s usually one at the bottom and one under the top rack. They should come off easily by twisting them or unscrewing a cap. If you’re not sure how, check your dishwasher manual.

Once you have them off, look closely at the little holes where water comes out. If any of the holes look blocked, use a toothpick, paperclip, or a thin brush to clear them out. You might see small bits of food, grease, or even lime buildup from hard water.

After you’ve cleared the holes, soak the spray arms in a sink with warm water and a little vinegar. Let them sit for 10–20 minutes. This helps to break down any grease or buildup you can’t see. After soaking, rinse them well under warm water.

Now put the spray arms back the same way you took them off. Make sure they spin freely. Give them a little spin with your hand to make sure they’re not stuck. This helps your dishwasher work better and keeps smells away.

• Remove spray arms carefully
• Clean out blocked holes
• Soak in vinegar water
• Rinse and reinstall
• Make sure they spin freely

Use Baking Soda for Deep Deodorizing

Baking soda is another natural cleaner that works really well in dishwashers. It not only removes smells but also helps scrub away leftover food and grease. It’s gentle, safe, and works like a charm.

After you’ve cleaned the filter, door, and walls, it’s time to use baking soda. All you have to do is sprinkle about 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of your dishwasher. Make sure the dishwasher is empty when you do this.

Next, close the door and run a short hot-water cycle. Don’t use any soap or vinegar this time. The hot water will mix with the baking soda and help clean and freshen the inside. You might even notice your dishwasher looks brighter and smells like nothing at all — which is a good thing.

Baking soda is gentle, so you can use it as often as once a week. It won’t damage your machine, and it helps stop the stink before it starts. If your dishwasher smells really strong, you can repeat this cycle a couple of times during the week.

You can also make a paste with baking soda and a little water to scrub tough spots inside your dishwasher. Use a sponge to rub it in and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

• Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom
• Run a hot cycle with no dishes
• Use weekly for fresh smell
• Scrubs away hidden grime
• Also brightens the inside

Keep It Fresh Between Washes

Sometimes the stink comes back between washes. This happens when water or food sits too long. Luckily, there are simple things you can do every day to stop this from happening.

First, always scrape off big food bits before putting dishes into the dishwasher. You don’t need to rinse them, just get rid of chunks of food that could get stuck in the filter or spray arms.

Second, leave the dishwasher door slightly open after a cycle. This lets air flow inside and dries out leftover water. If the door is always shut, the inside stays damp, and that makes a perfect place for bad smells to grow.

Third, run the garbage disposal before starting your dishwasher. If your sink and dishwasher share a drain, a clogged disposal can push smells back into the dishwasher.

You can also drop a lemon wedge in the bottom of the dishwasher between washes. It gives a light, fresh smell that’s much better than that weird sour odor.

Finally, set a reminder to clean your filter every week. Just like changing the trash, it’s a simple habit that makes your kitchen feel cleaner and smell better.

• Scrape food off dishes
• Leave door open after use
• Run garbage disposal first
• Use lemon for fresh scent
• Clean filter every week

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a stinky dishwasher can be annoying, but it’s not hard to fix. Once you know where the smells come from, you can stop them for good. Most of the time, it’s just food buildup hiding in places you don’t see. With regular cleaning and a few simple steps, your dishwasher can stay clean and fresh every day. Keep up these easy habits, and your kitchen will smell so much better. A clean dishwasher also means cleaner dishes and a happier home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to use vinegar in my dishwasher?

Yes, it is completely safe to use white vinegar in your dishwasher. It’s one of the best natural ways to remove bad smells and clean greasy parts inside. Vinegar breaks down food particles, kills mold, and helps clear hard water buildup. Just make sure you don’t mix it with bleach, because that can make harmful fumes. Also, don’t use vinegar too often in a row, as the acid could wear down rubber parts if overused. Once a month is perfect for keeping things clean without damage.

Is it okay to run the dishwasher with baking soda?

Yes, baking soda is gentle and safe to use. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to deodorize your dishwasher. When you sprinkle it on the bottom and run a hot cycle, it removes odors and freshens up the inside. Baking soda is non-toxic, won’t scratch any parts, and even helps scrub off light stains. You can use it once a week if needed, and it won’t hurt your dishes or machine. Just don’t mix it with vinegar during the same wash to avoid foaming.

Can lemon help my dishwasher smell better?

Yes, a slice of lemon can make a big difference. Lemon has natural oils and acids that smell fresh and help cut grease. You can place a small piece of lemon peel or wedge in the bottom of your dishwasher between washes. It’s a simple way to keep it smelling clean. You can also run a cycle with lemon juice in a cup to help fight bad smells. Just make sure to remove the peel before running a new load with dishes, so it doesn’t get stuck.

Can I use bleach to clean my dishwasher?

You can, but only with caution. Bleach can kill strong mold and bacteria, but it’s also very strong and can damage some parts of the dishwasher, especially if it has stainless steel inside. Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other cleaner. If you want to use bleach, pour 1 cup in the bottom and run a full hot-water cycle with no dishes inside. Use it only when needed, and not often. If your dishwasher is mostly plastic inside, it may be safer, but still be careful.

Do I need to clean my dishwasher even if it looks clean?

Yes, even if it looks clean, food bits, grease, and soap build-up hide in small parts like the filter and spray arms. These can cause bad smells over time. A dishwasher handles a lot of dirty water, and that water leaves stuff behind that you may not see. Regular cleaning helps keep it working right and smelling fresh. Just because the walls look shiny doesn’t mean the inside parts are clean. Take time to clean the hidden spots once a week or at least once a month.

Do I have to remove the filter every time?

You don’t have to do it every single time, but it’s a good idea to check it once a week. If you see food or smell something weird, it’s time to take the filter out and clean it. Filters catch all the food bits from your dishes, and if they sit too long, they start to rot and smell. It only takes a few minutes to rinse and scrub the filter, and it helps your whole dishwasher stay clean. Regular filter care is a big part of stopping the stink.

Is it bad to leave the dishwasher closed all the time?

Yes, it can be. When the dishwasher is closed right after use, it traps steam and moisture inside. This damp space becomes a perfect place for mold and smells to grow. Try leaving the door open just a little bit after each wash. This lets the inside dry out faster and stops the stink from building up. Even opening it just for an hour can help a lot. It’s a small step, but it keeps things much fresher and cleaner inside.

Can I stop the smell without using any chemicals?

Yes, you can clean your dishwasher using just natural items like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. These are safe, cheap, and easy to use. They break down food bits, kill bad smells, and clean parts you can’t reach. You don’t need strong cleaners to get good results. Just follow a regular cleaning plan using these items, and your dishwasher will smell fresh without harsh chemicals. These methods are great for families who want a natural way to clean and stay safe.