5 Tricks to Prevent Your Dishwasher From Smelling
5 simple and effective tricks to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and functioning efficiently.
Clean the filter regularly
Don’t overload and scrape food properly
Deep clean monthly with vinegar and baking soda
Leave the door open after cycles
Clean the rubber seal and spray arms
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A dishwasher is supposed to make your kitchen cleaner—not fill it with unpleasant odors. Yet many people notice a persistent smell coming from their dishwasher even though it “looks” clean and runs regularly. The truth is, dishwashers are one of the most common places for hidden food residue, grease, and bacteria to build up over time.
The good news? You don’t need expensive cleaners or a new appliance. Most dishwasher odors come from a few overlooked habits and easily fixable issues. By making small changes to how you use and maintain your dishwasher, you can keep it smelling fresh and working efficiently.
Here are 5 effective tricks to prevent your dishwasher from smelling—starting today.
1. Clean the Filter Regularly (This Is Non-Negotiable)
The dishwasher filter is the number one cause of bad smells—and the most commonly ignored part.
Most modern dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom designed to catch food particles. Over time, bits of food, grease, and soap residue collect there and begin to rot, creating a strong, unpleasant odor that spreads every time the dishwasher runs.
What to do:
Remove the bottom rack
Twist or lift out the filter (check your model’s instructions)
Rinse it under hot water
Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to remove stuck-on debris
How often:
At least once a week if you run the dishwasher frequently, or every two weeks for lighter use.
Why it works:
No matter how strong your detergent is, it can’t dissolve old, trapped food. Cleaning the filter removes the odor at its source.
2. Stop Overloading and Rinse Dishes the Right Way
Overloading your dishwasher might save time—but it’s a recipe for smells.
When dishes are stacked too tightly:
Water can’t circulate properly
Food residue doesn’t wash away
Grease sticks to internal parts
You don’t need to pre-wash dishes completely, but large food scraps should always be scraped off.
Best practice:
Scrape plates into the trash, not the sink
Avoid stacking dishes on top of each other
Make sure spray arms can spin freely
Why it works:
Proper water flow ensures food particles are flushed away instead of settling into hidden crevices where they decay and smell.
3. Run a Monthly Deep Clean (No Chemicals Needed)
Even if you clean the filter, grease and mineral buildup can still cling to the interior walls, spray arms, and hoses.
A simple monthly deep clean can reset your dishwasher.
Option 1: White Vinegar Wash
Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack
Run an empty dishwasher on the hottest cycle
Option 2: Baking Soda Freshener
After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom
Run a short hot cycle
Why it works:
Vinegar dissolves grease, soap scum, and limescale
Baking soda neutralizes lingering odors
Important:
Never mix vinegar and baking soda in the same cycle—they cancel each other out.
4. Leave the Door Slightly Open After Each Cycle
This small habit makes a huge difference.
When the dishwasher door stays closed after a wash:
Moisture gets trapped
Warm, dark conditions encourage bacteria and mold growth
Odors develop quickly
What to do:
After unloading, leave the dishwasher door slightly open for 30–60 minutes.
Why it works:
Air circulation allows moisture to evaporate, preventing mold and mildew from forming inside the machine.
This trick alone can eliminate that “musty” dishwasher smell many people complain about.
5. Clean the Rubber Seal and Spray Arms
Most people clean the inside walls—but forget the hidden parts.
Rubber Door Seal
The rubber gasket around the door traps:
Grease
Food particles
Soap residue
Wipe it weekly with a damp cloth and mild dish soap.
Spray Arms
Food particles can clog the tiny holes in the spray arms, causing poor cleaning and odor buildup.
How to clean them:
Remove the spray arms (if possible)
Rinse under warm water
Use a toothpick to clear clogged holes
Why it works:
When spray arms are clogged, dirty water gets reused instead of being flushed out—leading to smells that no detergent can fix.