How do you fix a smelly dishwasher?

Fixing a smelly dishwasher is a simple process that takes only a little longer than the time a dishwasher normally takes to run through a wash cycle. Gloves, a sponge, soap, degreasing spray and a bottle of special dishwasher cleaning detergent are the required tools. An initial physical clean of the screen and sprayer arms removes particles, and scrubbing the door removes additional residue. Most dishwashers have a special cleaning cycle to run that will reduce odors and clean the machine once physical issues have been removed./

1. Clean the dishwasher screen

   Put on your gloves, and locate the screen at the bottom of your dishwasher. You may find that there is quite an accumulation of food particles, mold or bacteria. Scrub this with the sponge and soap until it's no longer visible.

2. Remove food from sprayer arms

   Find your dishwasher's sprayer arm ports. Using the sponge, get rid of any food that has built up on these ports.

3. Scrub the dishwasher door

   Open your dishwasher door until it's completely lowered. Using your degreasing spray, cover the bottom edge of the door and the area that forms a lip with the interior of the dishwasher itself. Give this solution several minutes to soak on the dishwasher door. After waiting, use the sponge to scrub the door and lip clean.

4. Run a cleaning wash cycle

   Pour some of the special dishwasher cleaning detergent into your dishwasher. Run a full, normal wash cycle on normal settings.