Okay, maybe this is a weird one, but lately I've noticed my dishwasher has this kinda musty, funky smell every time I open it. Like, dishes come out clean and all, but the odor is starting to bug me. I've tried running it empty with vinegar and baking soda (thanks internet!), and it sorta helps for a bit, but then it creeps back in after a few cycles.
Anyway, got me wondering how often everyone actually cleans their dishwashers or if they even do it at all? So here's a quick poll for y'all:
How frequently do you clean your dishwasher to get rid of smells?
- Um...you're supposed to clean dishwashers?
- Once in a blue moon when I remember
- Every month like clockwork
- Weekly—I'm paranoid about smells
Feel free to share your tips or tricks too, cuz clearly I'm missing something here...
"I've tried running it empty with vinegar and baking soda (thanks internet!), and it sorta helps for a bit, but then it creeps back in after a few cycles."
I get why vinegar and baking soda are popular hacks, but honestly, they're temporary fixes at best. When I moved into my first place, I had a similar issue—turned out the real culprit was the filter. Took it out and found bits of food and gunk trapped in there...pretty gross. Now I clean that every month or so, and it's way more effective than just running empty cycles.
Yeah, vinegar and baking soda never really did much for me either. When I first moved in, I thought the dishwasher itself was faulty or something. Turned out, it wasn't just the filter but also the drain hose—mine had a weird kink that trapped water and gunk. Once I straightened it out and cleaned it thoroughly, the smell pretty much disappeared. Have you checked your drain hose yet? Might be worth a look...
"Have you checked your drain hose yet? Might be worth a look..."
Good point, but honestly, sometimes it's not even the hose or filter. Had a client once whose dishwasher smelled like something died in there—turned out it was actually the garbage disposal backing up into the dishwasher line. Gross, but true... plumbing can be weirdly interconnected.
Yeah, plumbing can definitely cause some weird smells. I had a similar issue once and ended up cleaning out the dishwasher's spray arms—turns out bits of food were stuck in there causing the funk. Worth checking those too if you haven't yet.
