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Why does my dishwasher smell?
JebusUD
Adventure!Candy IslandRegistered User regular
Adventure!Candy IslandRegistered User regular
So my dishwasher has a funny smell going on. Basically any water the collects in dishes has a vaguely vomity or sour milk smell.
Reddish buildup has to be wiped off from the bottom door seal.
Things I have done to remediate:
ran vinegar in it: barely helps for about a day
Ran the sanitize cycle: helps for a day
Ran dishwasher acidic cleaner: helps greatly,but the smell is back after about 1.5 weeks
Cleaned the trap beneath the bottom sprayer: this was very gross but is much cleaner now. Didn't seem to affect the smell any.
Any tips so I don't have to run the cleaner through every week? That stuff is expensive. A more permanent solution?
Handwash forever? Nuclear bomb? Seance?
Reddish buildup has to be wiped off from the bottom door seal.
Things I have done to remediate:
ran vinegar in it: barely helps for about a day
Ran the sanitize cycle: helps for a day
Ran dishwasher acidic cleaner: helps greatly,but the smell is back after about 1.5 weeks
Cleaned the trap beneath the bottom sprayer: this was very gross but is much cleaner now. Didn't seem to affect the smell any.
Any tips so I don't have to run the cleaner through every week? That stuff is expensive. A more permanent solution?
Handwash forever? Nuclear bomb? Seance?
and I wonder about my neighbors even though I don't have them
but they're listening to every word I say
but they're listening to every word I say
0
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Also, double check the drain line and make sure it's draining properly. Lots of them tie into the garbage disposal. You want to make sure the drain isn't backing up into the dishwasher when it's supposed to drain.
this for sure
but that doesn't explain the reddish buildup
could maybe be a piece of spatula or plastic ware splintered off and got caught on the heating element?
How would I determine if the drain line is draining properly? I suspect this is the problem. It does run into the garbage disposal.
I have cleaned the trap 4 times it is pretty gunk free right now, but was very bad at first. I do t want to do it too much as I'm afraid I'll break a part accessing it. It is underneath the bottom sprayer assembly and it is all plastic and clips.
I've only run the acidic cleaner through once.
The reddish buildup is organic for certain. Which makes me think it is the drain tube.
but they're listening to every word I say
but honestly, you may have to call a plumber because it sounds like you've already done what you can do for the most part.
that being said, we had a similar problem -- what ended up being the issue was that the tube from the dishwasher into the garbage disposal was supposed to be run over a small block of wood attached to the inside of the cabinet (so that part of the tube is elevated). instead, it was no longer up there and (here is where the disclaimer comes in) I assume was allowing stuff from the disposal to drain into the dishwasher and thus causing problems.
maybe worth checking if you have something similar for the tube and make sure it's hung up over it. but also idiot disclaimer.
I took apart the bottom again as much as I could, and cleaned out as much gunk as I could get to. Sprayed out the trap and ran it on sanitize.
Perhaps the garbage disposal needs some attention. It might be the cause of the problem.
Or perhaps it just needs cleaner ran in it more often than I thought.
but they're listening to every word I say
So maybe take a look at the feed line?
-Indiana Solo, runner of blades
I mean, if your garbage disposal isn't working properly than the water 'going out' doesn't actually 'go out' so the same thing, really.
I also read that running your hot tap before starting a dishwasher cycle is important to ensure your dishwasher pulls in new hot water. The water efficiency on new dishwashers may mean that it never pulls in hot water if the run from your water heater to kitchen sink is long.