Dishwasher smells
A smelly dishwasher is almost always about trapped food and grease, not the dishwasher itself. The filter, the sump at the bottom of the tub, the door gasket and the bottom edge of the door are where it collects. A sewer or rotten-egg smell is different: that usually points to the drain hose or the garbage disposal connection. Most fixes take less than an hour. Dishwasher smells come from trapped food and standing water. Clean those spots and the smell goes.
Why dishwashers start to smell
During a cycle, water sprays over the dishes, collects in the sump at the bottom of the tub, and passes through a filter before the pump recirculates it or sends it down the drain. Most newer dishwashers use a manual filter you're meant to remove and rinse, and when it's skipped, food and grease build up and start to smell within days.
The drain hose usually runs to the garbage disposal or a sink drain. It should rise in a high loop under the counter or go through an on the sink so dirty sink water can't flow back into the dishwasher. If the loop sags, water from the sink or disposal can sit in the dishwasher and give off a sewer smell between loads.
Common causes of dishwasher odors
Food and grease collect and rot.
Scraps sit at the bottom between loads.
Food film builds up where you don't see it.
Sink and disposal water flows back in.
| You notice | Likely cause | Start at |
|---|---|---|
| Sour or rotten food smell | Dirty filter | Step 1 |
| Bits of food in the bottom | Debris in the sump | Step 2 |
| Smell near the door | Grimy gasket or door edge | Step 3 |
| Musty smell throughout | Buildup inside the tub | Step 4 |
| Sewer or rotten-egg smell | Drain hose loop or disposal | Step 5 |
Let's fix it
- Clean the filterPull out the bottom rack and find the filter in the floor of the tub, usually a round cylinder you twist counterclockwise and lift out, with a flat screen underneath. Rinse both under warm water and scrub them gently with a soft toothbrush and dish soap until no grease or food remains. Reinstall them and twist the cylinder until it locks; a loose filter can let debris into the pump.
- Clear the sump and bottom of the tubWith the filter out, shine a flashlight into the sump opening and wipe out food, glass shards, seeds or labels with a gloved hand or paper towel. Check under the lower spray arm, and remove any debris from its holes with a toothpick. Standing dirty water in the bottom suggests a draining problem; there's a separate guide for a dishwasher not draining.
- Wipe the gasket and door edgeWipe the rubber gasket around the door opening with warm soapy water, pulling it back gently to get into the folds. Open the door fully and clean the bottom edge of the door and the area below it, which the gasket doesn't seal and where food and grime build up out of sight. Clean the sides of the tub near the door hinges too, then dry everything.
- Run a cleaning cycleRun the dishwasher empty on its hottest cycle with a dishwasher cleaner, following the package. Or set a dishwasher-safe cup of plain white vinegar upright on the top rack and run a hot cycle. Never mix vinegar or other cleaners with bleach. Run the kitchen faucet until it's hot before starting, so the cycle begins with hot water.
- Check the drain hose and disposalA sewer smell usually means sink water is getting into the dishwasher. Look under the sink: the drain hose should rise in a high loop fastened to the underside of the counter, or connect through an air gap on the sink, before going to the drain. Secure a sagging hose high with a zip tie or clamp. If it connects to a garbage disposal, run the disposal before starting the dishwasher so it isn't draining into a full disposal, and keep the disposal clean; we have a guide for a smelly garbage disposal.
Watch it done
- No smell when you open the door
- No food in the filter
- The tub floor is clean and dry after a cycle
If the smell isn't the only problem
If dishes come out dirty or gritty, see the guide for a dishwasher not cleaning.
If the smell is coming from the sink, check our guide for a smelly garbage disposal.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An appliance repair visit typically costs $100–$200. Clearing a clogged drain pump or hose usually runs $150–$300, and a plumber charges about $125–$250 to install an air gap or correct the drain connection.
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Dishwasher smell questions
Why does my dishwasher smell bad?
Food and grease trapped in the filter, sump, gasket and door edge are the most common causes.
How do I get rid of dishwasher smell?
Clean the filter and gasket, clear the sump, then run a hot cleaning cycle with dishwasher cleaner or vinegar.
Why does my dishwasher smell like sewage?
Usually a sagging drain hose or the disposal connection lets dirty sink water back in.
Is it safe to clean a dishwasher with vinegar?
Yes, a cup on the top rack on a hot cycle. Never combine it with bleach.