So, your dishwasher is smelly… ?

No worries, I have the solution here… keep reading!

How to de-gunk a dishwasher?

There are several ways to do this but I found one that worked well for me and I will share it here:

I use Affresh W10282479 Dishwasher Cleaner. This is the best cleaner according to my experience and people on cleaning forums.

Using the Affresh dishwasher cleaner is how you thoroughly clean your dishwasher and how you prevent gunk building up again.

Following, is another way of doing it (if you dont have the Affresh cleaner) although I really don’t recommend it – just get the Affresh – it’s cheap and fast.

Most likely you already know about the cleaning properties of vinegar. If you don’t already, just google it and you will be amazed!

Now, take out you dishwasher’s filter and put it in hot soapy water for ten minutes to clean it. Then, put the filter back in, pour one cup of white vinegar on the bottom of the machine and run on the heavy cleaning cycle. Then, spread some baking soda over the bottom and leave it overnight. Run the dishwasher once more the next morning, again do the heavy cycle, and voila – your dishwasher is now smell-free.

How was that for an easy fix to your smelly dishwasher problem?

If it still smells after this, then a more complex approach is needed, but rest assured it’s well worth your time. You will need to remove the dishwasher’s basket first.

For this method you’ll need:

A wrench of the correct size, specific to your machine.

• A flash light to closely inspect the before-and-after.
• Paper towels that will help you clean the gunk and can be tossed away after use.
• A soft wet cloth for the final wipe down.
• A sponge to help take out any excess water out of the basket/flapper or tub’s bottom.

How to clean a dishwasher

After you’ve removed the basket use the paper towels to remove all black slime. (It grosses me out, as well) Now, use the soft cloth to make everything shinny again. Put the basket back now. This process should be done at least every two years or so, depending on how often you use the dishwasher and what wash cycle you normally run.

Here are some tips to prevent gunk build-up in your dishwasher:

Use the Affresh W10282479 dishwasher cleaner once every couple of months.

On a regular basis, make sure to run your food remains disposal for 30 seconds with cold water. This will ensure your disposal mechanism is clean and it will  prevent food from getting pulled into the dishwasher drain (which could cause it to clog).

Also, sometimes I pour a whole gallon of white vinegar in the dishwasher and leave it there for about an hour. Then I run a short cycle with no cleaning solution. This usually gets rid of left over smells.

I use these cleaning tips on a regular basis and have been able to keep my dishwasher smelling great…

Give it a try! I would love to hear how it worked for you, so use the comments section below to leave feedback or share your cleaning tips.