How to Remove Dishwasher Smell Permanently

Why Dishwashers Develop Persistent Smells

A smelly dishwasher is almost always a sign of one or more of these problems: food debris trapped in the filter or drain, mold or mildew growing in the door seal folds, grease and soap scum buildup on the interior walls, standing water caused by a drainage issue, or mineral deposits on the heating element producing a burnt smell. Masking the odor with fragranced products doesn't work — you need to eliminate the source. Here's how to do it permanently.

Step 1: Find and Eliminate the Source

Before any cleaning method will work long-term, identify and address the source:

• Rotten food smell: Clogged filter or food debris in the drain. Clean the filter and drain area.
• Musty/mildew smell: Mold in the door seal folds or interior. Clean the seal and run a disinfecting cycle.
• Burnt smell: Mineral deposits on the heating element. Run a descaling cycle.
• Sewage smell: Drain hose issue — the hose may not be looped high enough, allowing sewer gas to enter. Check the drain hose installation.

What You'll Need

• Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner tablets
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Old toothbrush
• Microfiber cloths

Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner tablets are specifically formulated to clean the pump, hoses, spray arms, and interior surfaces that cause persistent odors — they reach places manual cleaning can't. White vinegar kills bacteria and mold and dissolves mineral deposits. Baking soda neutralizes acidic odor compounds and deodorizes the interior.

The Permanent Smell Elimination Protocol

Step 1: Clean the Filter

Remove the filter from the bottom of the dishwasher. Rinse under warm water and scrub with a soft brush to remove all food debris and grease. This is the most common source of dishwasher odor and the first thing to address. Reinstall the clean filter.

Step 2: Scrub the Door Seal

Use an old toothbrush dipped in white vinegar to scrub the folds of the rubber door seal all the way around the perimeter. Mold and food residue hiding in these folds are a major odor source. Wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth and dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Wipe the Interior Walls and Door

Wipe the interior walls, the door interior, and the area around the drain with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. This kills bacteria and removes the grease film that harbors odor-causing microorganisms.

Step 4: Run a Vinegar Cycle

Place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with 2 cups of white vinegar on the top rack of the empty dishwasher. Run a full hot cycle. The vinegar steam and solution circulate through the entire machine — the spray arms, pump, hoses, and interior — killing bacteria, dissolving mineral deposits, and neutralizing odors throughout the system.

Step 5: Run a Baking Soda Cycle

After the vinegar cycle completes, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short hot cycle. The baking soda neutralizes any remaining acidic odor compounds and leaves the interior smelling fresh.

Step 6: Run an Affresh Cycle

For a complete deep clean of the internal components, place one Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner tablet in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a full hot cycle. Affresh cleans the pump, drain hose, and internal tubing that manual cleaning and vinegar cycles can't fully reach — these hidden areas are often the source of persistent odors.

Ongoing Prevention: Keep the Smell from Returning

• Leave the door ajar after every cycle: This allows moisture to evaporate and prevents mold growth in the seal and interior. This single habit eliminates most recurring dishwasher odors.
• Clean the filter monthly: A clogged filter is the most common cause of dishwasher smell.
• Run an Affresh or vinegar cycle monthly: Regular cleaning prevents odor-causing buildup from accumulating.
• Scrape dishes before loading: Large food particles that reach the filter and drain are the primary odor source.
• Use rinse aid: Rinse aid reduces water spots and mineral deposits that contribute to musty smells.
• Run the dishwasher regularly: A dishwasher that sits unused for extended periods develops mold and stagnant water odors. Run it at least once a week even if not full.

How Long Does It Take to Eliminate Dishwasher Smell?

With the full protocol above (filter clean, seal scrub, vinegar cycle, baking soda cycle, Affresh cycle), most dishwasher odors are completely eliminated within one cleaning session. Very persistent mold-based odors may require a second round 24–48 hours later.

Final Thoughts

Dishwasher smell is a cleaning problem, not a mechanical one. Clean the filter, scrub the seal, run a vinegar cycle, and follow with baking soda and Affresh — this combination addresses every source of dishwasher odor. Leave the door ajar after every cycle going forward and the smell won't return.