At a Glance:
Dirty Filter and Built-up Food Particles
Wastewater Not Draining Correctly
How To Get Rid of Dishwasher Smell
Having an eggy smell coming from your dishwasher is not only unappetizing when using your clean dishes, but it can also feel like an overwhelming feat to get under control. But do not worry; your dishwasher may require simple routine cleaning or maintenance, because contrary to popular belief, a dishwasher requires occasional cleaning.
In this article, we will discuss potential common reasons that can cause your dishwasher to smell like eggs or, even worse, your dishwasher to smell like rotten eggs. We will share ways to get rid of the smell, some cleaning tips that will help you maintain a smell-free dishwasher, and some new dishwasher replacement options that will be a great addition to your home!
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In-Stock DishwashersDirty Filter and Built-up Food Particles
A potential reason for the funky smell that is coming from your dishwasher is that it simply needs a good cleaning. Food particles that fall off your dishes may get stuck in your dishwasher and cause food decay. It may be caught in your dishwasher’s filter or somewhere a bit more out of sight, like a hose or garbage disposal. If you think this may be causing your odor, then make sure to read the cleaning tips section below.
➟ Related: 4 Convenient Portable Dishwashers
Wastewater Not Draining Correctly
Another common explanation for an eggy smell coming from your dishwasher is a problem with your dishwasher draining correctly. The wastewater exits the dishwasher through the garbage disposal, if available, before being disposed of. So more often than not, there may be a clog found in the drainage system.
Some water at the bottom of your dishwasher is not bad. It can help keep seals around the drain from drying up. But more than an inch of standing water can cause alarm, as it could be why your dishwasher smells like eggs. Due to a clog found in the draining system, wastewater can back up and make your dishwasher smell unpleasant. Fortunately, it is a common problem that is typically simple to remedy.
If your dishwasher is not draining, this article provides more reasons as to why your dishwasher may have caused this issue. This includes clogs, bent water hoses, and backed-up garbage disposals.
Dishwasher Cleaning Tips
Cleaning your dishwasher is a simple task that doesn’t take too long to do. It can help your dishwasher remain nice and clean for your dishes, along with (hopefully) ridding your dishwasher of that eggy smell.
Keeping your dishwasher clean helps your appliance work properly and extends the overall lifetime of the appliance. Below are some cleaning tips for keeping your dishwasher fresh and clean.
Clean the Drain Filter
Food particles can build up in the dishwasher filter and cause an unpleasant odor to linger. The filter of a dishwasher should be easy to locate but if you are having problems finding it, check your dishwasher’s manual. If you don’t have the manual, a simple online search will help you locate the filter and know how to access it.
The filter can be cleaned with soap, water, and a sponge. This is also a good time to check the filter’s condition, as a damaged filter can cause damage to your dishwasher. Then, clean the area around your filter and the bottom of your dishwasher. This will help prevent more food particles from getting caught in your newly cleaned drain filter.
✱ Note: it is recommended that you discard food scraps before putting your dishes into a dishwasher for cleaning. Why? Because it prevents large food particles from getting caught in the filter, resulting in food decay and possibly an unpleasant odor.
Run a Dishwasher Cleaning Cycle
If your dishwasher has a cleaning cycle, running it from time to time could be beneficial to refresh the inside of your dishwasher. Using a citrus-based cleaning aid will help break down grease that could be trapped in your dishwasher’s filter.
Use an Odor Neutralizer
If an eggy smell is still lingering, or you want to go the extra mile to get your dishwasher super clean, consider using odor neutralizers. You can purchase them from the store or make DIY ones using household items. Everyday odor neutralizers include items like white vinegar and bleach.
First, pour one cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl to use an odor neutralizer on your dishwasher. Then, place the bowl on your dishwasher rack. Finally, run a deep cleaning cycle.
✱ Tip: Make sure that the bowl of white vinegar is upright so that it can diffuse through the wash cycle. If the bowl spills, it may not deodorize with the intended effect.
Another deodorizer method that works well includes the use of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda all over the bottom of the dishwasher and leave it overnight. Running an empty cleaning cycle in the morning to wash it away will provide a natural odor neutralizer.
How To Get Rid of Dishwasher Smell
It is best to identify where it is coming from to get rid of that bad smell in the dishwasher. If cleaning does not work to eliminate the odor, it may be something that lies outside your dishwasher. If you have a garbage disposal hooked up to your dishwasher, you may need to clean your garbage disposal by using at-home remedies or buying garbage disposal cleaning solutions.
Another reason your dishwasher smells bad could be because the dishwasher air gap hose connection, which connects your sink to your garbage disposal, needs to be rinsed out. Your dishwasher air gap hose is commonly found next to your sink’s tap and runs to the dishwasher. Food particles could be trapped in this hose, creating an unpleasant odor.
✱ Tip: You can run water into the air gap to clear out the potential food particles, thus potentially getting rid of the egg odor.
Another potential problem that can cause an unpleasant odor is that your dishwasher does not have time to air out after a wash cycle. Stale air can cause some unpleasantness in your dishwasher if it is not properly aired. Give your dishwasher time to air out after a cycle to mend this problem. This should help prevent smells from permeating your dishwasher.
Replacement Dishwasher Models
In some cases, just buying a new dishwasher may be the best-case scenario. If you want to replace your dishwasher with one of the best stainless steel dishwashers, we have provided a few options below. New dishwashers that are currently on the market are powerful and have many great features. Not only do modern dishwashers clean dishes well, but they are also more effective than older models of dishwashers. Here are a few features of many new dishwasher models.
Whisper Quiet Clean Cycle
Having a decibel rating below 50, your dishwasher is quiet and ideal for anyone who enjoys not having to hear a dishwasher cycle run through. Fifty decibels is equivalent to a quiet conversation or may even sound like your refrigerator when it is running. So no need to worry about tuning out your dishwasher when you are trying to sleep. You probably won’t even notice it’s running!
Powerful, High-Pressure Wash Cycles
Many new dishwashers come with high-efficiency, high-pressure washes that will create a spot-free clean that will be sure to satisfy and impress. Also, new dishwashers come with more washer arms and wash cycles to choose from.
Flexible 3rd Rack
Most new dishwashers take advantage of the unused space found in the upper rack. Its slim design makes it great for holding small dishes and cutlery.
Samsung 24” Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
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This Samsung Dishwasher makes washing dishes a breeze. They have dual wash arms that use their StormWash+™ which cleans at every angle, and their whisper-quiet cycles are 42 decibels, which is impressively quiet! Samsung also has a mobile app that will aid in running your dishes from anywhere in the home. The SmartThings App connects through Wi-Fi and allows homeowners to remotely start, stop, or delay for dishwashing cycle all from their phone. This is a great feature that can help keep day-to-day chores running smoothly.
This dishwasher comes in four colors: fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, white glass, and navy steel.
- Model: DW80B7070US
- Dimensions: 24.8” D x 35” H x 24.9” W
LG 24” Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
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This LG Dishwasher offers a QuadWash cycle with four washing arms that clean with immense pressure and reduce water spots by 60 percent. Their commitment to a clean dish can also be shown in their Dynamic Dry creates an enhanced dry that aids in removing the water spots on any of your dishwares.
This LG dishwasher comes in two colors: stainless steel and black stainless steel. Both finishes are fingerprint resistant by using PrintProof™ technology.
- Model: LDTS5552S
- Dimensions: 24.6” D x 33.6” H x 23.75” W
GE® 24” Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
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This GE Dishwasher has many great features that will create ease for cleaning up dishes. Its extra-large capacity holds up to 16 place settings and large dishes, making hosting less stressful. Along with this, this dishwasher has an autosensing cycle that can detect the soil amount and the number of dishes to give the best wash for your dishes.
It also comes in many different colors: Stainless Steel, Black, White, Fingerprint Resistant Slate, Fingerprint Resistant Black Slate
- Model: GDF630PSMSS
- Dimensions: 24” D x 34” H x 23.75” W
No one wants to wash their dishes in a funky dishwasher that makes you wonder if your dishware is really getting clean. That’s why Don’s Appliances makes blogs like this to help you find solutions to your dishwasher smelling like eggs. But if the smell isn’t going away, we also have plenty of new dishwashers you can choose from our store or online catalog today!
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Dishwashers at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop dishwashers online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the solution to why dishwasher smells like eggs — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: How to Troubleshoot a Broken Dishwasher