How to Get Rid of a Dishwasher Smell

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Get rid of dishwasher smell with white vinegar.

Since the dishwasher is always closed and water is always present, a musty odor can often develop in your dishwasher, making using the unit a potential problem. Add to that the dirty dishes that you may place in the dishwasher and allow to sit for several days at a time before running the dishwasher, and the appliance can quickly develop an unbearable odor that needs removal.

Advertisement

Step 1

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into a bowl.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Sit the bowl on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Close the unit and allow the vinegar to absorb odor for 1 hour.

Step 3

Turn on the dishwasher and run a normal wash cycle with the bowl of vinegar still sitting in the dishwasher. The vinegar will be emitted from the bowl and sanitize the entire dishwasher.

Step 4

Open the dishwasher after the wash cycle completes and repeat if any odor remains.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...