It can be alarming when your dishwasher starts smelling like eggs since it may make your dishes stink. This smell is usually foul, making your whole kitchen smell, especially when you are doing the dishes.
If you are experiencing this problem, don’t worry since it is possible to get to the bottom of it. There are home solutions for getting rid of the smell, so your dishes remain fresh after cleaning them.
Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?
It is easy to think that your dishwasher is smelling since it is broken, but that is not usually the case. This is a less severe problem; you only need to find out the cause. The following are some reasons why your dishwasher is smelling like eggs.
Dirty Water
It is essential to check on the source of water for your dishwasher since if it is contaminated, it may start smelling like eggs. This can be the case if the water mixes with dirty water from your sink or garbage disposal.
The water collects in your dishwasher, allowing for breeding bacteria that cause a terrible smell. You can solve this by ensuring that your dishwasher gets clean water and that your drainage is not leaking into it.
Pieces of Food
Food particles are one of the most common reasons why your dishwasher is smelling like eggs. To ensure this, you should check the filter to ensure that there are no pieces of food stuck there that may begin to rot, leading to a bad smell.
The pieces of food may also restrict the flow of water hence collecting dirty water at the bottom. This water will start to smell over time, which is why you should take time to check the area properly. You can also check the sites close to the bottom to ensure that there are no food particles, and if there are, you should clean them immediately.
Limescale Build-up
If you use hard water in your home, it may cause a build-up of limescale around the hose and other parts of your dishwasher. This is because hard water has a high amount of minerals, which will stick to parts of the dishwasher and may start to smell. While the build-up may not have any effect initially, it may cause a foul odor in the hose.
This is caused by blocking the flow of water into and out of the dishwasher. It may lead to water collecting in the pipes, and over time this dirty water may start to smell. In addition, if the limescale collects near the filter, it may block some food particles in the filter leading to a foul odor.
Check this too: How to Clean and Descale a Hot Water Dispenser
Blocked Drainage
If your dishwasher is not draining water as needed, then it may cause a bad smell. This happens when the hose that drains water is too low in the machine, so it is not draining well.
It may allow water to start collecting instead of draining, and over time this water will begin to stink. You can address this problem by raising the drainage hose to a level that allows all the water to drain out effectively.
How Can I Get Rid of the Smell in My Dishwasher?
A dishwasher smell can be quite challenging to handle if you don’t know the cause. So the first thing you should do before trying to fix it is to find out the reason. With this, you will know what steps to take without wasting time on something that won’t work. The following are some ways to get rid of the smell.
Clean the Filter
This is the most common reason why the dishwasher is smelling like eggs. Cleaning it well usually eliminates the problem almost instantly, so if you are unsure, start with this. You will need:
- A stiff brush
- Dishwashing soap
- Hot water
Start by removing the filter from your dishwasher and cleaning out any food particles around the area. Check the dishwasher manual on how to remove it without damaging it. Next, mix some soap into the hot water and use the brush to clean the filter thoroughly.
Ensure that you remove any build-up on the edges to avoid rot and cause more odor, then rinse the filter in clean water. Finally, ensure that you clean the areas in the dishwasher near the filter to get rid of any rotting particles.
Clean the Drainage Pipe
If the problem is with your dishwasher drainage, then the drainage pipe could be the cause. Remove the drainpipe, and if it is smelly, then that is the cause of your problems. To clean it, you need:
- A tube brush
- Dishwashing soap
- Bleach
- Hot water
Mix some dishwashing soap and bleach in some water and soak the pipe for at least 30 minutes. Next, use the tube brush to clean the inside with some dishwashing soap until you get rid of all the dirt. Rinse the pipe in some clean hot water and allow it to dry before reinstalling. It is a good idea to repeat this cleaning once in a while to ensure that the odor doesn’t resume.
Clean the Dishwasher
Sometimes a build-up of dirt in the dishwasher could be the reason for the foul odor, so you must get rid of it. You will require:
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing soap
- Hot water
- Sponge
Make a paste using the soap and baking soda and use the sponge to clean all the dishwasher parts. Ensure that you scrub out any build-up thoroughly before rinsing it with hot water.
Check for a build-up of limescale which you can get an expert to clean it. Ensure that you repeat washing the machine after a while to avoid more build-up that may lead to a foul smell.
Is an Egg Smell in My Dishwasher Dangerous?
An egg smell could be an indication of hydrogen sulfide building up in your dishwasher. In high levels, hydrogen sulfide is harmful to you, and in some cases, it could lead to terrible poisoning.
Therefore, it is vital to get rid of the cause of the odor when you notice it so as not to infect your dishes.
Why Do My Dishes Smell Bad after Using the Dishwasher?
This could be caused by a dirty gasket that has collected food particles over time. It may also be caused by bad drainage, which collects dirty water on top of it or a dirty drain hose. You should check the drainage for any signs of build-up or food particles that may clog and prevent the water from draining properly.
If you are getting a foul smell from your dishwasher, it means that there is a problem that needs your attention. This is a problem that you can solve on your own, but if it persists, it is best to seek help from an expert.
Take preventative measures such as cleaning your drain hose and filter from time to time, and this should ensure that your dishwasher always smells fresh.