A dishwasher is an essential tool in a modern kitchen. However, like any other tool, dishwashers are prone to experience various problems, making them ineffective. One such issue is when it emits unpleasant smells when not properly maintained.
When your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs, it could be because of trapped food particles if it’s not washed regularly. It could also be a problem with the drain hose preventing wastewater from draining. However, you can correct this issue and have your dishwasher work as before. You can wash the drain filter and the garbage disposal. Using an odor neutralizer can also help solve this problem.
This article outlines some of the reasons your dishwasher might smell like rotten eggs and how to fix this issue. Read on.
How to Fix Dishwasher Smelling Like Rotten Egg?
- Clean the Dishwashers Drain Filter
- Neutralize the Odor
- Consider Cleaning the Garbage Disposal
- Monitor the Gasket and Clean It
- Look For Any Decaying Pest Near the Unit
In-depth Guide to get rid of the smell from dishwasher :
Clean the Dishwashers Drain Filter
One of the reasons your dishwasher might be producing a bad smell is a dirty filter. The dirt mostly comprises food particles that pill up on the filter and start creating a bad smell with time. You need to clean the filter found at the lower part of the dishwasher.
The filter helps filter out dirt on the water as they move to the garbage disposal. Note that most dishwashers’ filters are small spaced, so bigger food particles won’t pass through. To avoid this, you need to clean the filter, which is easy to do regularly. Take out the filter from the bottom rack. Then use hot soapy water or any cleaning solution to wash it. It’s advisable to clean the filter twice every month to avoid the rotten egg smell.
But if the filter is spoiled, consider replacing it to prevent damages to the dishwasher’s pump. Also, remove any hidden food particles below the dishwasher.
Neutralize the Odor
Another alternative to do away with the rotten egg-like smell is by neutralizing the odor. This is a cheaper way of solving the problem. You can do this using a cup of white vinegar. Pour it in the dishwasher, then run a deep cleaning cycle. Allow all the liquid to drain before doing a second cleaning cycle.
Alternatively, using baking soda to neutralize the bad smell is possible. Spread the baking soda at the lower part of the dishwasher and let it stay there overnight. This will enable it to absorb all the foul smells making you have a fresh-smelling dishwasher.
If you don’t have either of these products, consider using bleach. Pour one cup of bleach into the dishwasher, then run a long cycle. But only do this if inside your dishwasher is stainless since this chemical might react with other components. You should use bleach only if other products are not within reach as the last option.
Consider Cleaning the Garbage Disposal
Your dishwasher could be producing this bad smell because of dirty garbage disposal. After cleaning the dishes, all the waste moves to the garbage disposal through the hose. So, you need to wash it to eliminate the bad smell.
Place a stopper on the sink, then pour warm water on it half-full. Add a ¼ cup of baking powder, 1/3 cup of lemon, and 6 pounds of ice. The ice will help freeze and remove stuck on the dishwasher’s blade. While baking soda and lemon water will help eliminate grease, odor, and grime.
Ensure you also clean the hose to do away with the smell completely. Detach the hose from the dishwasher to know where the smell comes from. Then wash it thoroughly with a bottle brush and a cloth. After that, pour white vinegar or lemon water to help get rid of any remaining dirt or smell. Finally, run the garbage disposal for some time before using the dishwasher to avoid backups into the system.
Monitor the Gasket and Clean It
The gasket is the rubber seal on the dishwasher’s door. It helps prevent water leakage during the cycle. But with time, some food particles get stuck on it. If you don’t clean this part, the dishwasher will start producing a foul smell making it uncomfortable to use.
Consider washing it after carefully examining the parts with food particles build-up to avoid this. Remove it around the door, then clean it with a dry towel. Then make a cleaning solution consisting of either soap and warm water or warm water and baking soda.
Soak a clean towel in the solution, then use it to clean the gasket. Don’t forget to clean the door where you place the gasket to get rid of all dirt. Also, check if there are other problems with the gasket, like dents or chips.
Look For Any Decaying Pest Near the Unit
If the smell persists after doing all these, it’s time to check below the unit to see if there’s any dead animal there. It could be that there’s a dead rat behind the dishwasher emanating the foul smell, or there are hidden food particles below the unit.
Detach the dishwasher from the power supply and check if any of these is a problem. Then clean the affected area. Be cautious when doing this to avoid kinking the hose.
Could It Be a Blockage in the Hose?
Another reason your dishwasher could be producing a rotten egg-like smell is because of a blockage in the hose. When the hose has food that remains build-up and cannot allow them to move to the garbage disposal, it will result in a blockage.
How To Unclog A Dishwasher With Standing Water? (Guide)
The blockage can also result from a kinked hose preventing the smooth flow of food particles to the garbage drain. You can, in this case, wash the hose using a cleaning solution and warm water. But this is after disconnecting it from the dishwasher.
Could be an Electrical Connection Issue?
Sometimes, your dishwasher could produce a foul smell like rotten eggs because of an electrical problem. Weak links in the unit will make it have a bad smell as it’s not capable of working normally. You should, in this case, check on the control box, which is below the unit’s door. If it’s the issue, call your technician to help diagnose the problem.
Related Guides: Dishwasher Not Working (Causes & Fixes) | Does A Dishwasher Need Its dedicated Circuit?
Maintenance Tips to Help You Keep Your Dishwasher Clean
Although it’s easier cleaning a dishwasher with a foul smell, it’s advisable to avoid heading into this situation. Remember rotten egg smell in the house will make you uncomfortable and interfere with the air quality indoors. So, you need the following maintenance tips to avoid having such a problem;
- Regularly wash the dishwasher at least once every month to remove dirt and food particles in various parts.
- Don’t over-rinse your dishes or pre-wash them before placing them in the unit. This is because dishwasher detergents work best on dishes with grease and food remains.
- Properly put the dishes in the dishwasher and avoid over-stacking them to enable the water and detergent to reach each of them so that they get washed thoroughly.
- Remove bigger food particles from the dishes before putting them in the unit. This will help prevent blockages in the hose and also enable it to work better.
- Ensure you clean the spray arms often with warm water to get rid of grease or grime. Also, avoid using sharp, brittle objects like a toothpick to remove dirt on the spray arm, as they can break and spoil your dishwasher.
- Set the temperature on high settings when washing greasy dishes to remove all the grease.
- Pour lemon juice in the dishwasher, then run a full cycle after some time of use. This will prevent it from having an unpleasant smell.
Bottom Line
Having a dishwasher producing a foul smell like rotten eggs means you’ll not be able to use it to clean your dishes as the smell might stick on them. However, this is a problem you can easily solve by yourself without spending much time or money. All you need to do is identify where the smell is coming from.
If it’s on the filters or garbage disposal, clean them and do away with the smell. Don’t forget to check other parts like the gasket, hose, and below the dishwasher to know if there’s any problem with it. If it’s none of these reasons, you need to monitor the electrical connection as a weak connection will make the unit not work properly. Remember to regularly clean your dishwasher to reduce the chances of having a foul smell.
