What Causes a Dishwasher to Smell Like Sewage & How to Fix It

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An expert guide to getting rid of dishwasher smells
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Standing water, food build-up, or a clogged drain or filter all contribute to a rotten sewage smell in your dishwasher. We're here to explain exactly how to figure out what the problem is, whether your dishwasher is new or old, and how to fix it, with expert advice from professional cleaners. Plus, we provide tips for preventing the smell from coming back and explain when to call a pro for help.

A faulty or improperly installed drain hose or food build-up in the drain or filters can trap dirty water, causing it to backwash into your dishwasher and leave a rotten sewage smell. Food build-up on the door seal, spray arms, or racks could also cause a sewage smell.

Section 1 of 3:

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  1. The most common reason for a sewage smell is dirty water. When the filter, drain, or drain hose is clogged, dirty water stands in your dishwasher or hose, leading to a sewage smell. Food build-up can clog the filter, making it harder to drain and contributing to the sewage smell. [1]
    • This smell transfers to your dishes, making them also smell like sewage.
    • If there isn’t enough room for an air gap in your drain hose, wastewater may transfer back into your dishwasher and cause the sewage smell.
  2. 2
    If a new dishwasher smells like sewage, the drain hose may be damaged. When installed improperly, an unleveled or damaged drain hose doesn’t leave room for an air gap, which is responsible for keeping dirty water out of your dishwasher. The lack of an air gap means water that should have been drained is going back into your dishwasher, leading to the sewage smell. [2]
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Section 2 of 3:

Getting Rid of a Sewage Smell in Your Dishwasher

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  1. Deep clean the filter and drain. Remove the rack from the bottom of your dishwasher to access the small round filter, and twist it counterclockwise to remove it. Then, remove the mesh filter at the bottom of your dishwasher. Get rid of any food build-up on the filters using a bottle brush. Soak both filters in hot soapy water, then clean the drain around the filter. [3]
    • Food residue often gets caught in the drain, so keep your eyes open and get rid of any debris you see.
    • Get deep into the crevices to remove any unseen debris.
    • If you have a self-cleaning filter, check it every morning for food debris, and rinse as needed. [4]
  2. 2
    Drain your dishwasher and unclog your drain hose . First, remove all of the water from your dishwasher if it hasn't drained properly with a cup, towel, or wet/dry shop vac. To disconnect the drain hose, unscrew the panel on the bottom of your dishwasher and locate the hose. Once you have located the hose, go to where it connects to the pump, place a bowl or pan underneath to catch spills, and remove the hose. After removing the hose, insert and remove a drain snake to get rid of any potential clogs. [5]
    • If you are unable to do it yourself, call a plumber to snake the line, get rid of the clog, and give you advice for preventing clogs in the future. [6]
    • If you’ve cleaned your new dishwasher and the smell still doesn’t go away, contact your manufacturer for help.
  3. 3
    Clean the interior of the dishwasher with soapy water and vinegar. Remove the racks and spray arms from the dishwasher, then make a solution of hot soapy water and vinegar to soak them in. Soak them to get rid of any unseen bacteria. Wipe the spray arms to remove any residue. Treat the interior by spraying it with a cleaning solution, then use a brush or cloth to wipe it down. [7]
    • Wipe the seal on the door down to get rid of any food build-up.
    • Check the holes where the spray arms go for any food build-up and clean accordingly.
    • Mix 2 cups (240 grams) of baking soda and 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the interior before scrubbing to break down scum.
    • Check the salt and rinse aid levels to make sure your dishwasher is performing to the best of its ability. [8]
  4. 4
    Run one cycle with vinegar, then one with baking soda, and repeat. Cleaning expert James Sears says to fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with distilled white vinegar and put it on the top rack of your empty dishwasher, then run it on a hot cycle. Remove the bowl, then sprinkle baking soda across the bottom of your dishwasher and let it sit for a few hours. For this step, cleaning expert Raymond Chiu suggests running a quick, hot, empty cycle.
    • Check for a sewage smell and repeat the process if it remains.
    • Check your dishwasher manual before using vinegar, as some manufacturers advise against it.
    • Be careful when removing the bowl of vinegar. It will be very hot! [9]
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Section 3 of 3:

Preventing the Sewage Smell from Coming Back

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  1. Soak and clean the rack, filter, and spray arms every month. Wipe down the interior with a cleaning solution and a cloth, and check any areas that frequently hold food build-up, like the seals and drain. [10]
    • Cleaning expert Chris Willatt suggests deep cleaning your dishwasher every six months and cleaning your filter once a month, especially in an area with mineral-heavy water.
    • Repeat the baking soda and vinegar method every month to prevent build-up.
    • Remove any food debris from your dishes before loading, as they can clog the filter and bring the sewage smell back.
    EXPERT TIP

    James Sears

    Professional Cleaner
    James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James is an expert in all things clean and provides transformative experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a current Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.
    James Sears
    Professional Cleaner

    A lemon can help keep your dishwasher clean. Use lemon juice or a sliced lemon to clean your dishwasher, as the acidity helps get rid of any tarnish. Similar to vinegar, lemon can be used as a home-cleaner.

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      Tips

      • If your dishwasher smells like burning plastic, check for any fallen plastic utensils, which can melt if they come into contact with the heating element. Check the racks too.
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      • If your dishwasher is emitting a burning smell but there isn’t anything melting, there may be an issue with the internal wiring.
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      • Always consult the manual that came with your dishwasher for care and cleaning instructions.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.drdishwasher.com/troubleshooting/common-problems/dishwasher-not-draining/
      2. ↑ https://sincityplumbing.com/what-to-do-when-your-dishwasher-smells-like-sewage/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/lkyV-QlUhug?t=7&si=3Ksl3sPB_f44e1fd
      4. ↑ https://thediyplaybook.com/how-to-deep-clean-dishwasher/
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/xK68qujRweY?si=Pr4NOAGg446rw93X&t=143
      6. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/kitchen/dishwasher-smells-bad/
      7. ↑ https://www.loveandrenovations.com/how-to-deep-clean-dishwasher/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/4m4AHD6SQl8?si=ye8PJKJi2SP2jB8O&t=15
      9. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a46455721/how-to-clean-a-dishwasher/
      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-clean-dishwasher-t17946

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