My Dishwasher Smells

A smelly dishwasher is one of those irritating problems that can hang around for ages, getting worse and worse, unless you fix it sharpish. It can be easily dismissed as a minor annoyance – unless, of course, you take a minute to consider where the smelly water is actually coming from.

It's unlikely that waste water is entering your dishwasher from a really nasty source unless multiple parts have failed at the same time, however water staying in your dishwasher or entering through the sink can be just as bad.

Dishwasher Air Gap

The air gap is designed to stop backflow, and as such if your dishwasher starts to smell you should check to see if the air gap is blocked.

It might also be the case that the pipe between the dishwasher and air gap is blocked.

In case the blockage cannot be removed or flushed out, it will be necessary to replace either the pipe or the air gap.

Waste Pipe

Incorrectly-fitted plumbing could cause dirty water to hang around in your system.

Check your dishwasher's waste pipe, and make sure that it's secured in as high a position as it can be. If your waste pipe isn't secured high up underneath the sink, waste from your dishwasher or directly from your sink can sometimes be pushed back up the pipe and into the dishwasher.

You can secure your waste pipe in the correct position using a hose clamp.

Dirt And Waste

To remove dirty water from your dishwasher, flush out the pipes with soda crystals and water. Clean the filter out, and make sure there are no blockages in the system causing difficulty in draining. If your dishwasher is having difficulty draining, it may cause bad smells.

Finally, wipe all parts of the dishwasher clean, as it may be a temporary problem. If a particular part still smells after you've cleaned it – for example, the door gasket – you should replace it.