The Best Ways to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher

Have you noticed you have a smelly? If you’re like me you didn’t even realize you had to clean your dishwasher. How could the dishwasher smell when its job is to clean? It may seem silly but don’t worry it’s super easy to fix!

I’ll teach you the best ways to clean a smelly dishwasher in 4 Easy Steps and get rid of that unpleasant odor.

With some simple cleaning hacks, all you need is a few minutes each month to get your dishwasher and filter clean. It’s kind of like cleaning your washing machine with both building up residue, food debris, and deposits from the cleaning that can leave you with odors.

These quick and simple solutions will help keep your dishwasher in good condition and get your dishes cleaner. Plus no more stinky dishwasher.

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How to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher

Fix your Smelly Dishwasher with these simple cleaning hacks. Learn how to get rid of the foul smell, soap scum, stuck on food and more so you can have clean dishes again. All you need is Vinegar and Baking soda to have a clean dishwasher today!

Did You Know You Needed to Clean Your Filter?

I did not even realize I had a drain filter to be cleaned in my dishwasher until I started researching cleaning my own washer. But it’s super easy to do once you know it’s there.

The first thing to do is check the filter. The filter collects any bits of food or grim left from your dirty dishes, silverware, and glasses. If you don’t clean it the grim can circulate in your dishwasher and produce a foul smell.

To locate your filter look at the bottom of your dishwasher below the lower spray arms. You can also look in your owner’s manual to find it.

How to Clean the Filter in a Dishwasher. Simple cleaning hack to get all the grim off your drain filter.

For best results remove the filter and rinse it under hot water. This should get anything off but if you have hard stuck on food use a small brush and hot soapy water to gently clean. Be careful not to press too hard with the brush.

How Often Do I Clean It – About once a month.

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Wipe Down Inside of Dishwasher

How to wipe down and clean the inside of your dishwasher. Quick cleaning hack to get all the grim out.

To get all the grim in the corners, walls, and bottom of the machine use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down and do a thorough cleaning.

Pull out your bottom rack and really get in there to remove all the grim in the interior of the dishwasher. I would do this once a week if possible to keep any build-up from starting in your dishwasher.

If there are any hard-to-clean areas with stuck on grim it will get loosened up when you disinfect the dishwasher. After the disinfectant in your next step, you can wipe down the inside again to finish off your cleaning.

How Often Do I Clean It – Once a Week

Clean Dishwasher Door

Next, wipe down the inside of your dishwasher door with warm water and a cloth to get off any soap scum or food particles left.

Related Article – How to Clean a Front Loading Washing Machine with Bleach

Weekly Cleaning Routine made easy with a Free Printable Checklist. Get organized and take the stress out of cleaning your house.

Disinfect your Dishwasher

Now to get the bad smell out of your dishwasher and really get it clean you will need to disinfect it. We have three easy ways to do this.

Tip: Make sure to empty your dishwasher before disinfecting.

Dishwasher Cleaning Pods

You can purchase dishwasher cleaning pods from Affresh or Finish. You put these pods where you would put dish soap and run through a dishwasher cycle. They will work to penetrate and remove odor-causing residue. The pods will also help with any lime or mineral build-up.

The cleaning pods are the simplest way to disinfect your dishwasher and get rid of any dishwasher odor.

For more natural cleaning products use one of the following ways to clean your dishwasher

Best Ways to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher with Vinegar & Baking Soda. Learn how to clean a dishwasher in quick easy steps from cleaning your filter to disinfecting the whole dishwasher. You won't believe how easy it is to do! #cleaning #cleaningtips #dishwasher #vinegar #bakingsoda #dishwashercleaning #cleaninghacks

Clean Your Dishwasher with Vinegar

How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar. Quick cleaning hack to disinfect your dishwasher using 2 cups of Vinegar. #cleaninghack #cleaningtip #vinegar #dishwasher #cleandishwasher

To clean your dishwasher with vinegar simply add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar to a dishwasher safe cup or glass measuring cup. Then place the cup on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Run the dishwasher on your normal cycle or hot if you would like more steam. Make sure your dishwasher is empty when you do this.

The vinegar will absorb all the dishwasher odor & grimy build-up. If anything had been left before on the bottom of the dishwasher it should now all wipe down easily with your cleaning cloth.

This step should also help with any hard water deposits.

Clean Your Dishwasher with Baking Soda

If you need a little more abrasion to clean your dishwasher try baking soda. Simply sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda on the bottom or your dishwasher. Then run your empty dishwasher on hot for a full cycle.

To fight really tough grim or smells you may need to do this cycle twice.

How Often Do I Disinfect It – Once a Month

Clean Stainless Steel Dishwasher

Cleaning your stainless steel dishwasher. Get all those fingerprint marks off your dishwasher with this easy cleaning hack. #cleaningtips

The last step is wiping down the outside of the dishwasher. You can use a damp microfiber cloth with warm soapy water to clean your dishwasher door and the top inside of the door.

If you have a stainless steel dishwasher I would suggest cleaning the outside with a stainless steel cleaner to remove fingerprints and smudges.

I really like these stainless steel wipes that I can pull out quickly and wipe down my dishwasher whenever needed. Especially with the kids constantly touching it ):

Need More Cleaning Hacks for Home?

Clever Cleaning Hacks to use throughout your house.

Are you inspired to get more cleaning done? Tackle your Microwave and Washing Machine next. The cleaning steps are just as easy and quick to do.

For those of you who hate cleaning, you’ll love our DIY Cleaning Hacks for Lazy People. Their insanely easy cleaning tips for deep cleaning your house with the least amount of work. Your gonna want these tips!

Find more easy cleaning hacks and decluttering ideas for your home I’ve tested and love. Make your life easier and more organized in our Cleaning Hacks and Organization Hacks.

Are you surprised how easy it is to clean a smelly dishwasher? A few minutes a couple of times a month and you’ll have a clean dishwasher.

Let me know if it works for you!

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