A dishwasher is a home’s prized possession. It’s your big helper when the dishes, cutlery and cups-load get too big or have tough stains. So, when you want a well-washed result, you want to be able to rely on your dishwasher to do a thorough job. But what happens when your dishwasher is leaving you with dirty dishes or an odour? This could occur for a number of reasons but luckily for you, we also have a number of solutions. This guide will share with you some practical tips that are easy to follow with actions that are easy to do.

Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?

It's important to understand what could be causing your dishwasher to not perform the way it should be doing. By identifying the problem to begin with you can then figure out the right solution. A dishwasher can start to smell and clean poorly due to a few common issues such as:

• Dirty filter: The dishwasher filters role is very important as it’s there to catch food particles. However, when it's not cleaned regularly, it can become blocked with food debris, leading to unpleasant smells and preventing proper cleaning.
• Food residue build-up: Food particles, grease, minerals and detergent residue can accumulate inside the dishwasher, especially if the filter is dirty or if you're using too much detergent. This buildup can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, resulting in bad smells and reduced cleaning effectiveness.
• Mineral deposits like limescale In areas with hard water, limescale can deposit on the dishwasher's heating element and other parts, affecting its ability to heat water properly and potentially causing it to fail over time.

These problems can all contribute to unpleasant odours and prevent proper cleaning. Fortunately, there’s a way to address these issues.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Before you begin the dishwasher cleaning process make sure all dishes have been removed. Once that’s been done, you’re read to follow these steps:

Gather your supplies

• White vinegar (preferably distilled).
• Baking soda.
• A glass measuring cup.

Clear the filter

1. Locate the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher (note: not all models have a removable filter).
2. Inspect for trapped items like food scraps, paper fragments, or hard objects such as glass.
3. If removable, take the filter out and wash it thoroughly to remove blockages.

Run a white vinegar cleaning cycle

Measure 500ml (2 cups) of distilled white vinegar.

1. Pour into a measuring cup or dishwasher-safe bowl and place it upright on the lower rack.
2. Run a regular wash cycle without detergent.
3. Turn off the heated drying option.

Deodorise with baking soda

1. After the vinegar cycle, remove the cup/bowl.
2. Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda evenly across the bottom of the dishwasher.
3. Run a hot water cycle to finish freshening and deodorising the machine.

And just like that! A few simple steps are often all it takes to get your dishwasher smelling fresh and leaving dishes clean. If these steps didn’t fully solve the issue, a cleaner made especially for dishwashers might do the trick. A steam cleaner is another amazing alternative. Important: Do not clean your dishwasher with bleach.

How to Maintain Your Dishwasher

• Correctly load your dishwasher and refrain from not pre-rinsing your dishes. Instead keep on top of doing regular dishwashing cycles.
• Clean out visible bits of food daily that’s stuck in your filter or at the bottom of the dishwasher. This will prevent any food build-up from occurring and any bad smells from beginning.
• Wipe the dishwasher door weekly to ensure your dishwasher stays sanitised.
• Run a cleaning cycle monthly because it’ll pay off. It will keep your dishwasher running efficiently, preventing it from any blocks or odours, improving its cleaning performance, and extending your dishwasher’s lifespan.

Final Thoughts: Simple Fixes for Sparkling Results

Most odours and poor cleaning come down to a clogged filter, residue build-up or limescale. With a 10–15 minute clean and a few monthly habits, you can restore fresh smells and have sparkling dishware all year round!

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