Why Does My Dishwasher Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

The dishwasher is a common electrical kitchen appliance you might see in most modern kitchens; it has made chores easier, cleaning your dishes faster. Every type of washer should be given special attention to maintaining cleanliness; that is why your dishwasher might stink in some instances.

If you ever had the problem of your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs, we have the answers for you; keep reading to know more detail about why does my  dishwasher smell like rotten eggs.

A Dishwasher is an electrical appliance that cleans the dishes in your home; you might cook various dishes with different ingredients. Once you are done with your meals, you toss the empty plates into the dishwasher to clean.

The main reason for your dishwasher to smell like rotten eggs is because of the leftover food particles spoilt in the dishwasher, but this may not be the only reason; many other possible causes can make your dishwasher stink like rotten eggs; this article is about finding the possible causes and solutions. 

Why Does My Dishwasher Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

Over time, as you use your dishwasher, it is normal that your dishwasher stinks; this is most probably the reason because of the stale food resting in the dishwasher, but you cannot fix a definite answer to your problem; below, you will learn the possible reasons, as to why your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs.

Food Particles

It could be the food particles built-in near your dishwasher door, in the door gasket, or a rubber seal preventing the water leakage from the dishwasher. If you notice any food particles near the door gasket, it is probably one of the reasons your dishwasher stinks. Take a cloth, dip it in the lukewarm water, and wipe away the food particles. 

Cleaning

Your dishwasher sometimes needs thorough cleaning to neutralize the dishwasher’s odor. To do this, pour some white vinegar into a bowl, place it inside your dishwasher, and run a deep clean. 

Another way to neutralize the odor in the dishwasher is to spread a layer of baking soda at the base of the dishwasher and leave it overnight. Run a complete clean in your empty dishwasher.

You can also bleach to neutralize the odor, but this cannot be safe, as bleach deposits may come in contact with your dishes; if you want to do this process, first you have to empty the dishwasher; now, you can pour a cup of bleach in a bowl and place in the dishwasher,  then run along and deep clean cycle in the dishwasher. 

The above methods are simple hacks you can try at home, there is no special dishwasher liquid in the store that can get rid of the smell of rotten eggs, but these home ingredients will help you neutralize the odor of the dishwasher. 

Related: How to Connect Dishwasher Drain Hose to Disposal?

Filter Issues

The filter in the dishwasher is where the grime is deposited; there are also possibilities for your dishwasher to smell like rotten eggs when there are food particles stocked in the dishwasher filter. You will find it at the bottom.

To access the filter, you will have to remove the bottom dishwasher rack and the silverware basket. You can clean the dishwasher filter with a sponger dipped in soap water. Ensure to get rid of all the food particles built in the dishwasher filter to avoid possible stinks.

The Hose

Some dishwashers have garbage disposal connected to the dishwasher through a hose. The garbage disposal hose is what is used to pump wastewater out. If you smell rotten eggs in your dishwasher, it could be the food particles and the fat deposits in the garbage disposal hose that stinks.

To clean the garbage disposal hose, you need a bottle brush, a washing liquid, and some white vinegar. Mix the white vinegar and some washing liquid with luke water and run it through the hose; this will melt down the fat deposits and let the food particles out; now, you can clean it with a bottle brush and wash it with water. 

Rodents

When you have food particles deposited in the bottom of your dishwasher, rodents might sense and creep into the bottom of your dishwasher. If you sense a strong smell of rotten eggs in your dishwasher, it is better to check at the back of your dishwasher to find any mice stuck in.

The mouse can be due to power shorts or the heat; if you find a dead mouse or rat in the dishwasher, get rid of it and give a deep clean cycle to your dishwasher.

Related: How To Remove The Dishwasher?

How to Maintain a Clean  Dishwasher?

Maintaining your dishwasher is an important part of your routine if using a dishwasher; thus, below are steps to maintain the cleanliness of your dishwasher.

• Remove away large food particles before putting your dishes into the dishwasher to reduce the food particles stocked in.
• Stop overloading and overstacking the racks of the dishwasher 
• Clean your dishwasher’s spray arms regularly with warm water to avoid food grease and fat build-in.
• Keep your filter and drain holes of the dishwasher clean 
• If you are washing oily, greasy, and fat deposited  dishes, wash them at a  high temperature 
• Pour some lemon or lime juice into the dishwasher regularly and a clean cycle to prevent any possible odor in the future.
• Please do not wash the dishes or rinse them before putting them in the dishwasher; the dish’s grease works effectively to wash the kitchen wares.

Conclusion 

Considering the facts above, it discusses why your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs; in conclusion, it was figured that it is most probably because of the food particles built in the dishwasher.

There are several places where your food deposits and builds in the dishwasher,  like the door gasket, the dishwasher filter, and the garbage disposal hose, but besides that, it could be because of the dead rodents or when your dishwasher needs cleaning.

The article also discusses maintaining a clean dishwasher to avoid any possible lousy odor.