Dishwasher Smell.....

[chrisbsuk]

Hey guys,
My dishwasher has a smell inside that I dont seem to be able to get rid of; I have run it empty on a 75*C intensive cycle with TWO finish tablets, yet the smell still remains. I have taken the filters appart, and they are currently soaking in household bleach; any advice would be really appreciated!

Chris

 

[dj-gabriele]

Try running a quick cycle with a couple of glasses of vinegar. It gets rid of any smell I could think, even lingering salmon smell came away easly with that for me

 

[toploader1984]

if that doesnt work try running a cycle with a couple of tablespoons of bleach.

 

[dyson2drums]

use finish dishwasher freshener, that works for me.
Its lemon/lime, nice....

 

[zanussi_lover]

try an empty wash with bicarbinate of soda, use a few tablespoons. bicarb is an odour remover

 

[laundromat]

Maybe the aroma is coming from the outer part where there's insulation. I have seen different types of rodents and other pests like cockroaches nest in the fiberglass.

 

[launderess]

Aside from the pump,filters, food grinder (if the unit has one), spray arms and the tub, there is little else to hold onto odors and or give them off.

Chlorine bleach will kill off germs and mould, and vinegar will do the same to some extent (though better for moulds and various odors than as a germ killer), so your problem may be between the tub and cabinet of the dishwasher.

As a previous poster stated it is not uncommon for vermin to infest dishwashers. So common that many appliance manufacturers include warnings in the owner's manual advising any or all warranties are void if the unit is installed in an area with vermin infestation.

Take a peek at the motor housing and see what there is. Look for signs of rodent activity such as chewed up bits of insulation and or "calling cards".

L.

 

[laundromat]

Maybe a mouse got caught underneath by the motor.Posibly getting a shock???

 

[neptunebob]

One place that can cause an odor is right under the door. When you open the door, the part of the tub right under the door can have a layer of caa caa on there. Take a wet paper towel with some dishwasher detergent and wipe this area. It is likely to be gross.

 

[alr2903]

The bleach always works for me. I just can not buy into this, washing machine, dishwasher "cleaner" thing. Do you think today's machines are "feeble" or what? I can tell you 20 or 30 years ago all hell would of broke loose in an appliance showroom, at the mere suggestion that a new washer or dishwasher is dirty or stinky at the completion of it's cycle. Craigslist helped me out with a dependable care Tag. Now if i can just find a sweet Kitchenaid. I have a plastic Tappan, its a frigidaire clone.

 

[imperialmarkxii]

dishwasher smell

Hey Chris;

I have this happen because of some of the things my roommate puts in there, (Tupperware containers used to cook raw chicken in the microwave). But fortunately after the machine is run, the smell is gone.

AS others suggested, I too will add a tablespoon or two of baking soda occaisionally after the second or third time it fills. Vinegar is also great to run about 3/4 cup through at least once a month or so. This helps keep the water jets clear of mineral, and lime-scale deposits caused from hard water.

Either one I add while doing a load of dishes. Caution using bleach however' if you are washing anything made of SILVER, as it will ruin the finish. ...

This is why we reccomended DW's (when I was employed at SEARS) with Stainless Steel interiors, as they are far less likely to absorb orders than those w/plastic (like mine, as it came with the house)interiors. Also, they retain the heat better for higher temps. ...

-Russell

 

[spankomatic]

I had this happen on the Bosch dishwasher. It was the filters.Once I cleaned them the smell went away.

 

[spankomatic]

2

 

[spankomatic]

3

 

[chestermikeuk]

Dishwasher Smells

Hi Chris, I would try the finish dishwasher cleaner and then a rinse with bicarb...also check the waste pipe, does it have an air break?? sometimes on refits the plumbers just stick it into the sink waste trap which could siphon dirty water back in!!! seen this happen a few times and all you need to do is raise the flexi waste hose a little higher than the waste trap entry connector...hope this sorts it!!!...Mike

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/MODERN/2009/21718x29.htm

 

[chrisbsuk]

hey...
thanks all for your replies - i tried the vinegar approach (as i couldnt be bothered to go to the shop to get the other bits) and it has worked! Hell knows what it was, but the machine now smells "clean" again.

Also going to replace the rinse aid with a lemon scent one, rather than the plain one currently using...

 

[dj-gabriele]

YEAH!

Glad that it worked!

 

[thomasortega]

Other thing that works great is Tang!

Thanks John for teaching me that.

Most wierd about the idea was when I ran out of detergent and decided to load the dispenser with two envelopes of Lemon Tang. The dishes came out better than with Finish and the smell was great.

Since that, I never wanted to drink Tang again.

 

[roto204]

Tang?

Awesome. Maybe there's hope for those of us with vintage machines yet--we'll switch to phosphated Tang