It is only a matter of time until your dishwasher becomes odorous. You can buy the most expensive dishwasher on the market, clean it with regularity, and still end up with an unpleasant odor. Bacteria, food particles, and other gunk will eventually accumulate within your dishwasher. If you do not perform a deep clean from time to time, the odor will fill your nostrils every single time you walk by the unit. Below, our Coral Springs plumber details some tips and tricks to prevent dishwasher odor and eliminate it once it is present.
Load the Dishes the Proper Way
It is a mistake to simply put your dishes directly into the dishwasher from the table. Dishwashers will rinse off the majority of the food remaining on dishes yet the food particles must go somewhere. There will be an odor if food particles build up along the bottom of the dishwasher or within the unit’s filter. Rinse off food particles from your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Abide by this routine and you will dramatically reduce the chances of dishwasher odor.
Bathe the Dishwasher in Vinegar
If your dishwasher ends up with a nasty odor, vinegar will help eliminate the smell and return your kitchen to normal. Fill a bowl halfway with vinegar. Put the vinegar-filled bowl along with the dishwasher’s bottom rack. Run the dishwasher. The vinegar just might thwart the odor to the point that your dishwasher smells normal once again.
Citrus Will Cleanse Your Dishwasher
Citrus is a natural cleanser. In particular, lemons are especially helpful for eliminating dishwasher odor. Cut two lemons in half and place them in a large bowl. Add a cup of water to the bowl of lemon halves. Place the bowl along the bottom of the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher. The lemons will warm to the point that they deodorize the dishwasher.
Clean the Food Particles Trapped Within the Dishwasher Filter
Take a close look at the filter within the dishwasher to see if it is functional, empty, partially full, or full. It will also help to examine the bottom portion of the dishwasher for food particles, debris, mold, and other gunk. Wipe down the interior surfaces of the dishwasher with a moist microfiber cloth. Add some dishwashing liquid to the cloth to facilitate the cleaning. It will also help to wipe down the dishwasher once every couple of weeks or even every week to combat the accumulation of food particles, mold, bacteria, and other odor-causing particles.
Examine the Drain Hose
The dishwasher odor may linger after you attempt the methods detailed above. If the odor lingers or returns, there might be an issue with the drain hose. If water stands along the dishwater bottom after the cleaning cycle is complete, it is nearly guaranteed water is still in the drain hose. However, this is not an insurmountable problem. Our Coral Springs plumber is here to help. Give us a call for prompt assistance or attempt a DIY hose analysis and correction on your own. Here’s how to do it: pull the unit out from below the counter to analyze the hose along the back. If the hose is not restricted or bent, water should flow properly. However, if the hose is restricted/bent, it will impede water flow, causing water to collect within the dishwasher. If it appears as though wastewater stemming from the kitchen sink is backing up within the dishwasher, raise the drain hose a bit higher to solve the problem.
Ask for Assistance From Our Coral Springs Plumber
There is a chance the dishwasher cleaning methods detailed above will not work or only partially solve the problem. If your dishwasher is still odorous after trying these methods, our Coral Springs plumber can help in a variety of ways. Reach out to us for assistance and we will identify the true cause of the dishwasher odor on your behalf. We can also tend to any other plumbing problems or concerns you have. Though it will cost a bit of money for our professional assistance, the alternative is to live with a smelly dishwasher for the rest of your time in the house. You deserve better. Let our Coral Springs plumber handle this project on your behalf and you will finally be able to spend time in your kitchen without being inundated by a nasty odor.
Contact Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration for Assistance
Our Coral Springs plumber is at your service. Give us a call at (561) 782-2779 for prompt assistance with all of your plumbing challenges. Whether you need plumbing repair, maintenance, or emergency service, our Coral Springs plumbers are here to help.
