{"id":3416,"date":"2019-04-18T17:47:59","date_gmt":"2019-04-18T14:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fantasticcleaners.com.au\/blog\/?p=3416"},"modified":"2026-09-17T23:18:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:18:56","slug":"how-to-clean-a-smelly-dishwasher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fantasticcleaners.com.au\/blog\/how-to-clean-a-smelly-dishwasher\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Clean a Smelly Dishwasher"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lazy_Bear \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A smelly dishwasher is almost always caused by food build-up, mould, or a drainage issue \u2014 and the good news is it’s fixable in under an hour. If your dishwasher smells bad, you’re far from alone: it’s one of the most common kitchen complaints, and it tends to creep up precisely because we expect the machine to clean itself. It doesn’t \u2014 but a quick deep clean will sort it. We’ve also been known to remember setting the oven to a self-cleaning cycle<\/a> before we think of the dishwasher, so consider this your reminder.<\/p>\n\n\n

TL;DR<\/strong> A smelly dishwasher is most often caused by trapped food, mould on the door seals, or standing water in a blocked filter \u2014 all fixable with the same 7-step clean: remove and rinse the filter, wipe the drain and seals, clear the spray arms, then run a hot cycle with white vinegar followed by a short cycle with bicarbonate of soda. Clean the filter monthly and leave the door ajar after each cycle to stop the smell coming back.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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