If you smell bad dishwasher odors after running a cycle, don’t reach for the bleach bottle. Bleach is very corrosive to metal parts and doesn’t solve the root problem. The smell comes from bacteria that feed on trapped food and grease in the strainer screen at the bottom of the machine, in the jets in the sprayer arms and along the bottom edge of the door.
1. Start by cleaning and rinsing out the filter screen at the bottom of the dishwasher. Wet/dry vacuums work very well.
2. Next, clean out any food lodged in the sprayer arm ports. Poke food particles from the holes with a flexible wire.
3. Clean the door lip. Tip the door down all the way and spray the bottom edge and lip area with cleaner/degreaser spray. Let it soak for a while, then scrub it clean. Repeat any time you see buildup.
4. Once you’ve cleaned those areas, throw in a bottle of dishwasher cleaner and disinfectant (Dishwasher Magic; order from amazon.com) and run a full cycle with no dishes or dishwashing detergent. Keep those critical areas clean in the future and your stinking problem won’t come back.
