Do you ever get a whiff of something foul while you’re cooking? Of course, it could have been the broccoli in your fridge that was past its prime, but if you’re near your dishwasher then that smell might actually be coming–gasp–from inside. Yes, it’s true: Your dishwasher could be giving off a smell like rotten eggs!
But why does this happen and what can you do about it? You’ve come to
High Loop
High loop dishwashers are designed to prevent water and detergent from coming in contact with air during the washing cycle, which helps to reduce odor caused by bacterial growth. However, if the seal on your high loop dishwasher is not tight and fails to create the intended vacuum effect, there is the potential for foul smelling odors such as rotten eggs due to hydrogen sulfide off-gassadings from stagnant water within the hose. To resolve this problem, check for a blockage or leak in the hose and make sure it’s securely attached to both dishwasher endpoints. If these measures are unsuccessful, you may need a professional appliance repair service.
Faulty thermostat
One of the most common causes of a rotten egg smell coming from your dishwasher is a faulty thermostat. The thermostat monitors and adjusts the temperature in the dishwasher, and it can get clogged with food particles or other buildup. This can cause the thermostat to malfunction and generate an unpleasant smell similar to a sulfur or rotten egg odor.
Checking and cleaning your dishwasher’s thermostat is an easy task for most homeowners:
-Visually inspect your dishwasher for any signs of heated parts that are not hot enough, such as warm spots on dry dishes or glasses left behind after cycles. If you notice this, you may need to check the thermostat.
-Remove any buildup from around the seals of the door where food particles may have collected over time.
-Locate the temperature probe/thermostat in your dishwasher — it’s usually located near either one of the two heating elements at lower right side of the appliance.
-Using needle nose pliers or tweezers, remove any accumulated grime or buildup found around this probe/thermostat to ensure its accurate reading (if cleaning does not help, contact an appliance repair professional).
-After cleaning, conduct another visual inspection by running your dishwasher cycle on its highest setting while keeping lit candles around it. If there are still areas in which you smell sulfur like odors, you should contact a qualified appliance repair expert for further inspection and service.
Deposits in the filter
If your dishwasher has an unpleasant odor like that of rotten eggs, chances are it is due to deposits built up in the filter. Food debris and grease get caught in the filter and left behind by water, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. To purge the buildup and restore cleanliness to your dishwasher, it is important to regularly check and clean the filter.
To do this, remove the bottom rack of your dishwasher, usually found by pulling straight down on a tab. Underneath the bottom tray will be a large circular disc with either hex screws or locking tabs. Depending on your model of dishwasher, you may need a screwdriver or coin to unscrew or un-lock this disc. Once you have unscrewed or removed the locking tabs from these screws or locks, remove the cover plate from inside the dishwasher tub; this is generally easy to lift off but may sometimes require gently prying it off with a flat-head screwdriver.
Then take out any debris that has accumulated in there – usually food particles and grease –reassemble everything properly, run an empty cycle with hot water on a high temperature setting, along with some detergent if necessary (you may also use vinegar if you’re feeling particularly eco-friendly). This should help eliminate any odor leftover from deposits in your dishwater filter.
Dirty seal in dishwasher
If your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs, the cause may be a dirty seal. This is the gasket located around the inner circumference of the dishwasher door, which should be kept clean at all times to avoid odor problems due to bacterial growth. Check to make sure this seal is free from any debris or buildup, and if it needs cleaning, use a damp cloth and mild soap or a solution of white vinegar and water. It’s also important to inspect the door latch to ensure that it is properly secured. If you find it isn’t completely closed or latched shut, this could also explain why your dishwasher has a foul smell.
Blocked garbage disposal
If your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs, one of the possible causes is a blocked garbage disposal. Sewer gas, hydrogen sulfide gas in particular, is a foul-smelling byproduct of the breakdown of organic matter in sewers and drains. If your dishwasher disposal is blocked, the trapped water can develop hydrogen sulfide gas as organic material decomposes and this could be causing the smell.
Another possible cause for this smell is insufficient venting or lack of airflow when your washer drains. The air gap between the drain pipe and drain hose keeps dirty water from flowing back into your dishwasher and can also provide ventilation to help reduce odours in some cases. If the air gap gets blocked or if there isn’t enough air circulated through it, you may end up with a foul smell coming from the drainage system.
To check if your dishwasher’s air gap is causing bad smells, inspect it for debris that could be blocking airflow or preventing draining. Remove any build-up around it and make sure there’s nothing preventing it from working correctly before trying any other solutions.
How do I get rid of the egg smell in my dishwasher?
The fungus Geobacter metallireducens, which can release sulfur molecules into the air, is the likely culprit for this pungent egg-like smell. To remove it, you will need to first clean your dishwasher.
Begin by washing the interior surfaces with a regular all-purpose cleaner. Make sure to scrub any visible mold and mildew from around the gasket area and inner door edge until all visible mold is removed. Then use a paper towel to wipe down all interior surfaces (including dish racks, silverware baskets and inside walls). Once finished, allow your dishwasher to air dry completely.
Next, pour one cup of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher and run an empty cycle on hot water setting. The vinegar helps remove odors and helps break down any remaining debris stuck in hard to reach places The dishwasher should now be free of foul smells! Finally, run a rinse cycle with half a cup of baking soda added to help reduce future odors. Baking soda is also great for removing food stains from plastic. By following these steps you can eliminate that rotten egg smell from your dishwasher—leaving it smelling fresh and clean once again!
