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Does your dishwasher smell bad? Learn how to clean your dishwasher and get rid of that unpleasant smell.

<h2>At a Glance:</h2>
<p><strong><a href="#how">How Do You Clean A Dishwasher</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="#cleaning">Cleaning Materials for Cleaning a Dishwasher</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="#often">How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="#why">Why Dishwashers Need to be Cleaned</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="#signs">Signs You Have a Dirty Dishwasher</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="#replacing">Replacing Your Old Dishwasher</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="#whytrustus">Why Trust Us</strong></a></p>
<p>So, your <a href="https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/kitchen/dishwasher-smells-bad/" target="_blank">dishwasher smells bad</a>&mdash;yuck! If your dishwasher is starting to smell, chances are it needs a good and thorough cleaning. Below we will talk about the various ways you can clean your dishwasher (in as few as 4 steps) and what cleaning materials you may need. Then, we will talk about how often a dishwasher should be cleaned and why dishwashers need to be cleaned in the first place.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Next, we will share signs that you have a dirty dishwasher and if it is time to replace your old dishwasher after all. Finally, we will showcase two brands of dishwashers, one from Bosch and one from Amana. Both dishwashers are excellent choices if you are looking for a replacement as they are modern, reliable, and innovative.</p>
<h2><a id="how"></a>How Do You Clean a Dishwasher?<strong></strong></h2>
<p>There are a few ways you can clean a dishwasher if your dishwasher smells bad and the best part is&mdash;it&rsquo;s simple to do so! Below are different ways to clean your dishwasher using white vinegar, baking soda, or bleach.</p>
<h3>Cleaning Dishwasher with Vinegar<strong></strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g2877/dishwasher-tricks/" target="_blank">Cleaning a dishwasher</a> with vinegar is rather simple and only involves 4 steps. First, make sure the dishwasher is completely free of dishes, utensils, glasses, and more. You can remove the silverware caddy too to wash that separately. Second, pour 1 cup of white vinegar into a small bowl and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Third, close your dishwasher door and run the hottest cycle your appliance offers. Make sure you do not interrupt the cycle at any point. Finally, make sure to set your dishwasher to &lsquo;air dry&rsquo; or simply open the door when the washing cycle is complete. You want to avoid using the timed dry cycle. The mixture of vinegar and hot water should clean the interior of your dishwasher very well.</p>
<h3>Cleaning Dishwasher with Baking Soda<strong></strong></h3>
<p>To clean your dishwasher with baking soda, simply sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Then, run a short (and hot) washing cycle making sure to open the dishwasher door before the timed dry cycle begins.</p>
<p><strong>Note: </strong>Do not clean your dishwasher with the vinegar and baking soda method at the same time.</p>
<h3>Cleaning Dishwasher with Bleach<strong></strong></h3>
<p>Bleach is a classic way of cleaning and can be used to clean your dishwasher if it is not stainless steel. Cleaning with bleach is very similar to cleaning with white vinegar. Simply place 1 cup of bleach into a bleach-safe bowl and set it on the top rack of your dishwasher. Run the hot cycle and let the appliance air dry.</p>
<p><strong>Note: </strong>When cleaning with bleach, do not add vinegar or baking soda to the dishwasher.</p>
<h3>Cleaning the Extra Parts<strong></strong></h3>
<p>If your dishwasher smells bad, there are a few parts that also need to be addressed in order to fully clean it. These include:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Filter</li>
<li>Door</li>
<li>Gasket</li>
<li>Drain</li>
<li>Exterior</li>
</ul>
<p>Cleaning each of these parts by hand is the best way. For a quick dishwasher cleaning solution, you can mix hot water and vinegar. If you need a soaking solution (to pour into the drain), mix 1 cup of warm vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour this mixture into the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes before pouring hot water into the drain to flush it out.</p>
<h2><a id="cleaning"></a>Cleaning Materials for Cleaning a Dishwasher<strong></strong></h2>
<p>There are a few cleaning materials for cleaning your dishwasher that you probably already have in your home, so no need to run out and get a dishwasher cleaner. They are:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>White vinegar</li>
<li>Bleach</li>
<li>Baking soda</li>
<li>Dish soap</li>
<li>Toothbrush</li>
<li>Dishwasher-safe bowl</li>
<li>Bleach-safe bowl</li>
<li>Scrub Brush</li>
<li>Soft cloths</li>
</ul>
<p>Not all these materials need to be used but they are efficient enough to thoroughly clean your dishwasher.</p>
<h2><a id="often"></a>How Often Should You Clean a Dishwasher?<strong></strong></h2>
<p>Dishwashers should be cleaned about once a month to keep them from getting excessively dirty and smelling awful. This includes cleaning the dishwasher&rsquo;s interior, door, gasket, drain, and filter. Of course, there can always be reasons why a dishwasher needs to be cleaned more often than 1 time per month. One reason why a dishwasher may need to be cleaned more often is if dishes are being placed in the washer without first being cleaned off.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Although cleaning your dishes ahead of time is not necessary, it does help prevent food and grime from building up in the dishwasher. Homeowners who do clean their dishes off before placing them in the dishwasher may be able to wait a few months before cleaning the appliance. At the absolute longest, you shouldn&rsquo;t go any longer than 6 months without cleaning your dishwasher.</p>
<h2><a id="why"></a>Why Dishwashers Need to be Cleaned<strong></strong></h2>
<p>You might be wondering why a dishwasher would need to be cleaned when it is a cleaning appliance. The main reason why a dishwasher needs to be regularly cleaned is because of the food and grime that builds up over time. For example, larger pieces of food can get stuck around the drain. Bits of food and grime can get in the crevices of the dishwasher where water can&rsquo;t always get to. Keeping your dishwasher clean will help it continue to operate smoothly.</p>
<h3>What Causes a Bad Smell in Dishwasher?<strong></strong></h3>
<p>When a dishwasher smells bad, it&rsquo;s from all that food and grime that we mentioned earlier that is sitting in your dishwasher cycle after cycle. Just as trash starts to smell worse the longer it's been sitting, a dishwasher can emit the same kind of stench if it&rsquo;s not routinely cleaned.</p>
<h2><a id="signs"></a>Signs You Have a Dirty Dishwasher<strong></strong></h2>
<p>If your dishwasher smells bad, it may not be broken or falling apart. Rather, it may just be dirty! There are certainly a couple of signs that will tell you your dishwasher is dirty as you will see below.</p>
<h3>Dishes Aren&rsquo;t Coming Out Clean<strong></strong></h3>
<p>A big sign your dishwasher is dirty is when you notice that your dishes aren&rsquo;t clean after a wash cycle. A dirty dishwasher can block and clog up areas, making it harder for your dishes to get thoroughly washed.</p>
<h3>It&rsquo;s Smelling Weird<strong></strong></h3>
<p>As we mentioned earlier, if your dishwasher smells bad, it&rsquo;s dirty and it&rsquo;s going to start to stink up your kitchen too. This is certainly the most common sign that you have a dirty dishwasher.</p>
<h2><a id="replacing"></a>Replacing Your Old Dishwasher<strong></strong></h2>
<p>Sometimes it gets to the point where you have to replace your old dishwasher whether your dishwasher smells bad or not. Here are a few signs that it may be time to get a new dishwasher:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>You are constantly cleaning it (more than normal)</li>
<li>Dishes are not getting clean</li>
<li>Soap is left on the dishes</li>
<li>Too much water is being used</li>
<li>You need to spend a lot of money to fix it</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s using up too much energy</li>
</ul>
<p>Whether it&rsquo;s broken, not working quite as well, or you simply want to <a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/blog/kitchen-update-ideas" target="_blank">redo your kitchen</a>, there comes a time when your dishwasher needs to be replaced. Below are two top-rated dishwashers that are currently on the market and offer modern and innovative features.</p>
<h4>Bosch 300 Series 24" Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher</h4>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="Bosch 300 Series Built In Dishwasher" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Bosch-300-Series-24in-Stainless-Steel-Built-In-Dishwasher.webp" title="Bosch Built In 300 Series Dishwasher" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><avb-link class="avb-button avb-button--primary avb-button--light dsg-blog-button" data-href="https://www.home101appliances.com/product/bosch-300-series-24-stainless-steel-built-in-dishwasher-shem63w55n-102925" target="_blank"> 
Shop Now 
</avb-link></p> 
<p>The Bosch 300 Series Built-In Dishwasher offers an adjustable middle rack, a speed wash and dry cycle (60 minutes), and enough space for 16-place settings. There are 5 wash cycles and 4 options to choose from including a Sanitize option that eliminates bacteria. It is ENERGY STAR&reg; Certified only using 269 kWh per year. This is partly due to the Sensor Wash System that detects the soil level in the dishwasher and then adjusts water, temperature, and length of the wash cycle as necessary.&nbsp;</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Model: </strong>SHEM63W55N<strong></strong></li>
<li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>23.56&rdquo; W x 33.88&rdquo; H x 23.75&rdquo; D<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Quiet and Peaceful</strong></p>
<p>The Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher won&rsquo;t disrupt your conversations with loud noises. At 44 dBA, you may not even notice it&rsquo;s running.</p>
<p><strong>3rd Rack</strong></p>
<p>This dishwasher model features a 3rd rack (up top) for thoroughly cleaning silverware. This frees up space in the bottom rack for larger dishes and offers 30% more space overall compared to a two-rack Bosch model.</p>
<h4>Amana&reg; 24" Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher</h4>
<p><img alt="Amana Built In Dishwasher" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/Amana-24in-Stainless-Steel-Built-In-Dishwasher.webp" title="Amana Dishwasher Built In" width="300" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><avb-link class="avb-button avb-button--primary avb-button--light dsg-blog-button" data-href="https://www.home101appliances.com/product/amana-2388-built-in-dishwasher-adb1400ag-149956" target="_blank"> 
Shop Now 
</avb-link></p> 
<p>The Amana Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher is comparable in size to the Bosch but has only enough space for 12-place settings. For those days when you are in a hurry, light loads of dishes can be washed in just 1 hour. There is also a Heated Dry Option that speeds up the drying process and removes excess moisture from the dishes. When it comes to the noise level, this dishwasher model runs at 63 dBA, which is much louder than the Bosch model.&nbsp;</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Model: </strong>ADB1400AGS<strong></strong></li>
<li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>23.88&rdquo; W x 34.5&rdquo; H x 24.5&rdquo; D<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Triple Filter Wash System</strong></p>
<p>Homeowners can be confident their dishes will be thoroughly cleaned with the Triple Filter Wash System. No need to pre-rinse before putting dishes into this dishwasher.</p>
<p><strong>High-Temperature Wash Option</strong></p>
<p>When homeowners choose the High-Temperature Wash Option, a heater increases the temperature during the wash cycle. Then, the dishes get an extra rinse to make sure everything is clean.</p>
<h2><a id="whytrustus"></a>Why Trust Home 101?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/about-us" target="_blank">Home 101</a> is YOUR source for no-hassle prices with knowledgeable professionals to help you every step of the way. Whether you are looking to replace an old appliance or are remodeling and need a helping hand in re-imagining a space you&rsquo;ll love, we will work with you to find a product and solution that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.</p>
<p>For over 18 years (and counting!), we&rsquo;ve created life-changing spaces in homes across the U.S. There is no project too big or too small for our team. From your free in-home consultation to the completion of your project, Home 101 will always provide you with an exceptional experience from start to finish.</p>
<h2>Shop Dishwashers at Home 101</h2>
<p>Home 101 makes your remodeling projects easier than ever. <a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/catalog/dishwashers" target="_blank">Shop Dishwashers online</a> or make an appointment to <a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/contacts" target="_blank">visit us</a> at our Home 101 Rancho Cucamonga location. Our Home 101 experts are always happy to help you replace your dishwasher &mdash; whether you call us at <a href="tel:9092041316" target="_blank">909-204-1316</a>, use our online chat feature, or <a href="mailto:sales@home101appliances.com" target="_blank">email us</a>. Be sure to <a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/contacts" target="_blank">subscribe to our email list</a> to be the first to learn about our special offers. <a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/contacts" target="_blank">Call us</a> to set up your free in-home consultation today!</p>
<p><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href="https://www.home101appliances.com/blog/what-to-expect-with-your-new-appliance" target="_blank">What to Expect with Your New Appliance Purchase</a></p>
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Cleaning Tips: Dishwasher Smells Bad?

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Cleaning Tips: Dishwasher Smells Bad?

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