Vinegar’s a solid quick fix, but I’ve found it only goes so far if the smell keeps coming back. Here’s what’s worked for me: First, pull out the bottom rack and check the drain filter—mine was full of gunk the first time I looked. Rinse that under hot water. Then, run the vinegar cycle like you did, but follow up with a baking soda sprinkle on the bottom and another short hot wash. That combo seems to keep things fresher longer. Tablets never did much for me either... just felt like tossing money down the drain.
Honestly, you’re on the right track with the filter and the vinegar/baking soda combo. Most folks skip the filter and that’s where half the stink comes from. I’d add—if you’re still getting smells after all that, check the drain hose for kinks or buildup. Sometimes food bits get stuck in there and rot, especially if the hose sags anywhere. Had a call last month where the only issue was a chunk of pasta wedged in the hose... not pretty.
Tablets are hit or miss. They’re fine for maintenance, but if there’s a real buildup, they won’t do much. If you’ve got hard water, a little citric acid run (like a lemonade Kool-Aid packet) can help with mineral deposits too. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with a sudsy mess.
If the smell keeps coming back after all that, might be worth checking the air gap or garbage disposal connection. Sometimes it’s not even the dishwasher itself causing the problem.
That’s solid advice about the drain hose—people forget about that one all the time. I’d just add, sometimes folks go overboard with vinegar and baking soda, thinking more is better, but it can actually loosen gunk that ends up clogging things worse.
If the smell keeps coming back after all that, might be worth checking the air gap or garbage disposal connection.
Couldn’t agree more. Had a job where the dishwasher was spotless but the air gap was packed with old food. Cleared that out and problem solved. You’re definitely on the right track—just takes a bit of patience and detective work sometimes.
- Ran into this exact thing last winter—thought I’d fixed the smell by scrubbing everything, but it kept coming back.
- Ended up popping the air gap cap and, sure enough, it was full of gunk.
- Quick clean with a bottle brush did the trick.
- Honestly, I used to dump way too much vinegar in there too... learned the hard way that less is more.
- Small fixes like these save a ton over calling someone out.
Funny, I had a similar battle with my dishwasher last year. I was convinced it was some hidden leak or a busted seal, but nope—just a disgusting air gap situation. It's wild how those little things get overlooked. I always figured a good scrub and a splash of vinegar would do it, but I get what you mean about overdoing it. I dumped half a bottle in once and ended up with a weird, sour smell that lingered for days. Honestly, these quick fixes are such a game changer. I used to think anything weird with appliances meant shelling out for a pro, but now I try to poke around first. Sometimes the simplest stuff—cleaning a filter or checking a hose—makes all the difference. It's not always glamorous, but it sure saves a chunk of change.
