Why Does My Dishwasher Smell Like Poop? (The Truth + Tips)

Originally Created on: May 12, 2022 @ 6:48 pm

Why does my dishwasher smell like poop? There are several possible causes. Part of your dishwasher is dirt. The filter may have trapped dirt that has started rotting, or the drain is clogged. As you use the dishwasher to keep utensils clean in your home, the food particles will tend to stick to the filters.

They will end up making the dishwasher develop a bad smell. It would help keep the drain and filters clean to avoid a bad smell. Other parts of your dishwasher can trap dirt during the cleaning cycle and develop a bad odor.

You will be required to check out parts such as the door casket, the garbage disposal unit and the drain hose. The different parts in your dishwasher should be kept clean to avoid the development of bad odor. Use vinegar to clean the surfaces where the particles have clogged, and you will get rid of the bad odor.  

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Table of Content

Why Does my Dishwasher Smell Like Poop? 

The dishwasher will start smelling like poop due to the accumulation of dirt on different parts. The dishwasher has several parts where the food particles from your dishes are moved through as they head to the garbage disposal unit. The food particles can be trapped in the different parts and lead to bad odor.

There is a need to check out the different parts that have been clogged, leading to the bad odor. Some of the parts to check out are:

Door Gasket 

The door gasket has a rubber seal that prevents waste from spilling out of the dishwasher as it cleans the dishes. Over time, the food particles from your dishes will be trapped along the door gasket.

They will lead to bad odor that you should fix as soon as possible. The best way to remove the trapped food particles is to wipe them out. Use a piece of cloth dipped in vinegar, then wipe the surfaces. They will remove the food particles and eliminate the bad odor.  

Drain Filter

The dishwasher has a pump that circulates water as it works. A drain filter protects the pump. The drain filter is located below the spray arm. With time, the filters can become clogged. Clogged filters will lead to the accumulation of food particles that can start rotting with time.

In most cases, the bad smell from your dishwasher is caused by the clogged filters. You need to keep the filters clean, and you will avoid the accumulation of the food particles. Sometimes the filters may have been damaged.

Many dishwashers have replacement filters. Get a new filter, and you will stop the foul smell from your dishwasher. Use soap and clean water to clean the filters. You will notice a big difference after working on the filters and removing the trapped particles.

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How Do You Get Rid of the Bad Smell in the Dishwasher?

The best way to get rid of the bad smell from your dishwasher is to ensure you remove the trapped food particles and clean the surfaces. Some of the surfaces you will have to clean include the drain filters, the door gasket and other parts where food particles are likely to get trapped.

Some of the simple steps you can take to get rid of the bad smell from your dishwasher are:

Clean the garbage disposal hose

The dishwasher is made in such a way it will clean the dishes and move the food debris to the disposal unit. The hose leading the waste to the garbage disposal unit can get clogged with food debris. Get a bottle brush and clean the house.

Using vinegar solution is necessary to remove the food debris that may have been trapped. You can as well use lemon solution to keep the bad odor that may have been developed due to the accumulation of the food particles.  

Clean the air gap

Dishwashers have air gaps with high lops. They are designed in such a way they will prevent the wastewater from returning to the dishwasher. The air gap hose can accumulate dirt and lead to bad smell with time. You need to use a strong solution of warm water and detergent to clean the house. Inspect it carefully to ensure there are no trapped food particles. 

The main cause of bad odor from your dishwasher is the accumulation of dirt in different parts of the dishwasher. Ensure you clean the dishwasher, and you will keep the bad smell under control. There is a need to regularly clean the dishwasher to avoid the development of a bad smell with time.  

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Preventing Poop Like Smell from Your Dishwasher

The first step you can take to prevent a pop-like smell from your dishwasher is to ensure the different parts in your dishwasher do not have any clogged particles.

Some of the steps you can take to prevent a bad smell from your dishwasher are: 

Apply odor neutralizer 

You can reduce the bad smell of your dishwasher by pouring vinegar into a bowl and then place it into the dishwasher. Vinegar solution is known to neutralize odor.

Ensure you place the vinegar in a dish to avoid it being drained before the dishwasher starts to run. Run a deep cleaning process and it will kill the bad odor from your dishwasher.

You can as well pour soda into the dishwasher and let it settle overnight. It will be an effective way to kill the bad odor from your dishwasher.  

Clean the spray arms

You can use a sponge and warm water to clear the debris from your dishwasher spray arms. You should as well clean other parts of your dishwasher using the pre-wash process.

Remove large pieces of food from your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. The question of why your dishwasher is smelling like poop, will never be raised if you ensure the dishwasher is kept clean. Good hygiene in general is the best way to prevent bad odor coming from your dishwasher. 

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Conclusion

why does my dishwasher smell like poop? The main reason is the dirt accumulation in your dishwasher. Check out different parts such as the door gasket, the drain pipes and the drain filters and ensure they are clean. Use vinegar and other cleaning solutions to keep the dishwasher clean.  

Ensuring you clean your dishwasher regularly will help prevent any bad odor coming from your dishwasher.