How to Get Rid of a Bad Dishwasher Smell

Quick answer

A bad dishwasher smell usually comes from trapped food in the filter, grime on the door seal and the bottom edge of the door, water that isn’t draining fully, or a dishwasher that stays closed and damp between loads. Start by cleaning the filter, then the seal. This guide is for beginners who want safe cleaning steps, and it also explains which smells mean you should stop and get help.

Safety first

• Switch off the dishwasher before you reach inside or clean the filter. Many built-in dishwashers are wired directly, so use the circuit breaker or a switch under the sink; portable models can be unplugged.
• A burning, hot plastic or electrical smell, or any smoke, means stop. Don’t run it again. Switch it off at the breaker if you can do so safely and call a qualified technician. If there are flames, leave and call 911.
• If you smell gas in the kitchen, that isn’t the dishwasher. Leave the home right away and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. Don’t switch anything on or off.
• Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners; the fumes are dangerous. Some manuals warn against bleach entirely, so check yours.
• Wear rubber gloves when cleaning mold or old food, and watch for sharp items in the filter area.

Before you begin

Try to describe the smell. It helps narrow things down.

• Sour, musty or like old food: usually trapped food, a dirty filter, or mold on the door seal.
• Like a drain or sewage: often a drain problem, a full garbage disposal or a clogged air gap.
• Burning or electrical: stop. This is a safety warning, not a cleaning job. See appliance warning signs.
• Find the model number on the rating label, usually on the edge of the door or tub. Your owner’s manual shows how to remove the filter and which cleaners are safe for your dishwasher.

Possible causes

Things you can check yourself:

• Food trapped in the filter or the sump (the low area under the filter)
• Grime and mold on the door seal (the rubber gasket around the opening) and along the bottom edge of the door
• Bits of food stuck in spray arm holes
• Standing water left after cycles
• A full garbage disposal or a clogged air gap (a small capped cylinder near the faucet on some sinks)
• A dirty load left sitting for days with the door shut
• Using only short or cool cycles

Problems that need a technician:

• A burning or electrical smell
• Water that won’t drain after you’ve cleaned the filter
• A drain hose or plumbing problem under the sink that you can’t reach without disconnecting anything
• Leaks into the cabinet or floor, which can lead to hidden mold

Steps to clean out the smell

1. Empty and switch off. Unload the dishwasher, then switch it off at the breaker or unplug it.
2. Clean the filter. Twist out the filter as your manual shows. Rinse it under warm water and scrub gently with a soft brush and mild dish soap. Wipe out the sump area with a cloth, then lock the filter back in exactly as the manual describes. Was the filter full of food? If yes, this was likely the main source. Still finish steps 3 and 4, since odors often hide in more than one spot.
3. Wipe the door seal and edges. With gloves on, wipe the rubber seal with warm soapy water, getting into its folds. Clean the bottom edge of the door and the sides of the tub where the door closes, since spills collect there and the spray doesn’t reach.
4. Clear the spray arms. If your manual says they come off, remove them, push out bits of food from the holes with a toothpick, rinse and reattach. Make sure they spin freely.
5. Check the drain path. If water stays above the filter after a cycle, follow dishwasher not draining before going further. If your sink has a garbage disposal, run it with cold water to clear it. If it has an air gap, lift off its cap and wipe out any gunk. Was there standing water? If yes, fixing the drain matters more than any cleaner. If draining is fine, go to step 6.
6. Run a cleaning cycle. Restore power. Run the hottest or heaviest cycle with the dishwasher empty, using a dishwasher cleaner your manual approves or just detergent. Some models have a cleaning cycle; menus vary by brand and model. Is the smell gone? If yes, move on to prevention. If a musty smell lingers, repeat the seal cleaning and check for leaks under the sink.
7. Prevent it coming back. Scrape plates before loading, run the dishwasher regularly instead of letting dirty dishes sit for days, and leave the door slightly open after a cycle so it can dry. Check the filter on the schedule in your manual.

Think of a renter whose dishwasher smelled like a sewer every time they opened it. The filter was fine, but the disposal next to it hadn’t been run in weeks. Running the disposal and wiping the air gap cleared the smell. For a broader look at damp spots and mold in the home, see the EPA’s brief guide to mold and moisture.

When to stop and call a qualified technician

Call a qualified appliance technician or the manufacturer’s service network if:

• You notice a burning, hot plastic or electrical smell, or any smoke
• The breaker trips when the dishwasher runs
• Water won’t drain even after you clean the filter, air gap and disposal
• You find water or mold in the cabinet or on the floor around the dishwasher
• A smell keeps coming back after thorough cleaning, which can point to a drain hose or plumbing problem
• An error code keeps returning after you’ve followed the owner’s manual
• Any fix would mean removing the kick plate or other panels

If the smell comes from the sink drain itself, a plumber may be the right person to contact.

FAQ

Why does my dishwasher smell like rotten eggs?

A rotten egg or sewer smell often comes from trapped food, a dirty filter, a full garbage disposal or a drain problem. Clean the filter and seal, run the disposal and check the air gap. If you think you smell gas, leave the home and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.

Can I use vinegar to clean my dishwasher?

Some people do, but manufacturers have different advice about vinegar and other cleaners, so check your owner’s manual first. Never combine vinegar with bleach.

Should I leave the dishwasher door open?

Leaving the door slightly open after a cycle helps the tub dry and discourages mold and musty smells. Keep it closed if small children or pets could get to the sharp items inside.

How often should I clean my dishwasher?

Follow the schedule in your owner’s manual for the filter and any cleaning cycle. A quick wipe of the door seal and edges whenever you notice spills helps keep smells away.

Is a burning smell from a new dishwasher normal?

Don’t assume it is. Stop the cycle and check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s support site. If the smell continues or you see smoke, keep it switched off and call a qualified technician.