Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?
by the Berry team · Updated
Most dishwasher smells come from food trapped in the filter, the spray arms, or the door gasket, and a thorough cleaning fixes them for little or no cost. A sewer smell that comes back usually means dirty water is flowing back from the sink drain because the drain hose lacks a high loop or air gap, and a burning smell means you should stop using it until it is checked.
Likely causes and what they cost to fix
Ordered roughly from most to least common. A deep clean fixes most of these.
| Cause | How to recognize it | DIY cost | Pro cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dirty filter | Rotten food smell, and the filter under the bottom rack is coated with food and grease. | DIY$0 | ProNo repair needed |
| Food in the spray arms or door gasket | Smell persists after cleaning the filter. Gunk in the spray arm holes or the folds of the rubber door seal. | DIY$0 | ProNo repair needed |
| Standing water | Water sits in the bottom between cycles. See the draining guide. | DIY$0 for most fixes | Pro$150-$350 for a drain pump |
| Missing high loop or clogged air gap | Sewer or garbage smell, especially when the sink or disposal has been used. | DIY$0-$15 for a hose clamp to create a high loop | Pro$100-$250 |
| Mold or mildew | Musty smell, often when the door stays closed between loads, with dark spots around the gasket. | DIY$5-$15 for a dishwasher cleaner | ProNo repair needed |
| Electrical or plastic burning | Burning or hot plastic smell during a cycle. Could be a plastic item on the heating element or an electrical fault. | DIY$0 to remove a melted item | Pro$150-$400 for an electrical repair |
Ranges are typical US prices and vary with your region, your home, and the season. A pro quote for your exact job beats any range.
How to deep clean a dishwasher
- Remove the bottom rack and take out the filter. Most twist out of the floor of the tub. Scrub it with hot soapy water and a soft brush.
- Wipe out the sump under the filter, and remove any glass, bones, or seeds.
- Clean the spray arms. Many pop off. Rinse them and clear clogged holes with a toothpick.
- Wipe the door gasket and edges with a damp cloth, including the bottom edge of the door, where gunk collects out of sight.
- Run a hot, empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner, or with a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack.
A sewer smell that keeps coming back
If the dishwasher smells like the sink drain, dirty water may be flowing back into it. The drain hose should rise up in a high loop under the counter before it drops to the disposal or drain, or connect through an air gap on the sink deck. If the hose runs flat along the cabinet floor, look for a way to clamp it as high as possible under the counter. If you have an air gap, pull off the cover and clean it out.
If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, a dirty disposal can also be the source. Grind ice cubes and a few citrus peels with cold water, and keep grease out of it. See how to reset a garbage disposal if it is not running right.
Keeping it fresh
- Clean the filter every month or two, more often if you do not scrape plates.
- Scrape food off plates, but you do not need to rinse them spotless. Modern detergents work best with a little food on dishes.
- Run hot water at the kitchen sink before starting a cycle so the dishwasher fills with hot water from the start.
- Leave the door cracked open after a cycle so it can dry out.
- Run it regularly. A dishwasher that sits with dirty dishes for days will smell.
If water is sitting in the bottom, fix the draining first. See why a dishwasher is not draining.
When to call a pro
- You smell burning electrical insulation or see smoke. Turn it off at the breaker.
- A sewer smell continues after cleaning and setting up a high loop.
- The dishwasher will not drain after cleaning the filter and checking the hose.
- Water is leaking under the dishwasher, which can also cause musty smells.
What makes it worse if you wait
- Food buildup in the filter spreads grit and odor onto clean dishes and strains the drain pump.
- Mold in the gasket and door edges keeps spreading in a warm, damp tub.
- A backflow problem means dirty sink water reaching the dishwasher, which is unsanitary.
Common questions
How do I get rid of a dishwasher smell?
Clean the filter, the sump, the spray arms, and the door gasket, then run a hot empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar on the top rack. Leave the door cracked to dry between loads.
Why does my dishwasher smell like sewage?
Usually dirty water is flowing back from the sink drain or disposal. Make sure the drain hose has a high loop under the counter or runs through an air gap, clean the air gap if you have one, and keep the disposal clean.
How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?
Every month or two for most households, and more often if you load plates without scraping them. Some manuals recommend more frequent cleaning.
Is a burning smell from a dishwasher dangerous?
It can be. A plastic item touching the heating element is the most common cause. If you smell burning electrical insulation or see smoke, turn off the dishwasher at the breaker and have it checked.
Not sure that's your problem? Snap a photo and Berry will tell you what it is and what it should cost.
Keep reading
- Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining?Why water sits in the bottom of a dishwasher, the filter, disposal, and hose checks that fix most cases, and what drain pump repairs cost DIY vs pro.
- How Do You Reset a Garbage Disposal?Where the garbage disposal reset button is, how to clear a jam safely, what to check if it is completely silent, and when a disposal needs replacing.
- How Long Do Appliances Last?How long refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, and other appliances usually last, how to find their age, and what repair and replacement cost.
- Appliance Maintenance: What to Do, How Often, and What It CostsThe full appliances guide hub.