by Carol Gioia

Created on: October 21, 2009

Dishwashers are prone to giving off an odor occasionally, due to soap-residue buildup or food particles in the pipes. Smelling a bad odor in your dishwasher is an unsavory experience when you consider that you will be eating from the dishes that were supposedly cleaned there.

Instead of waiting for your dishwasher to let your nose know it is time for a thorough cleaning, use these handy every day tips to keep the appliance that cleans your dishes and utensils healthy-clean and fresh-smelling all the time.

Strategies for preventing dishwasher odors using one of three handy kitchen products:

* Rinse dishes and utensils

Don't load the dishwasher with food particles stuck to plates and utensils. Rinse first so that food buildup in the dishwasher drain and pipes does not create an odor.

* Vinegar

Put a cupful of vinegar on the bottom rack and run the dishwasher through a cycle. If there is any food residue in the drain pipes this method should restore a fresh smell.

Also, pour some vinegar down the garbage disposal, in the event the odor is coming from that direction.

* Baking soda

Wipe down the interior of the dishwasher with a baking soda paste for a thorough cleaning. Be sure to get into the door hinge where buildup can occur. When you are finished cleaning, run through the rinse cycle before using for dishes.

* Bleach

Use bleach in place of jet dry. It is more cost-effective and will keep your dishes and glasses squeaky clean and leave your dishwasher free of odor.

* Attend to those pipes

The dishwasher and garbage disposal have shared pipes. Occasionally pour baking soda down the garbage disposal drain. Follow up with vinegar and then allow the hot water run down the drain for a few minutes. This will keep pipes clear and odor free.

* Use a quality dishwasher detergent

Some of the cheaper brands of dishwashing detergent do not work as effectively as they should. If you experience a distinct smell each time you open the dishwasher, and you have been using an off-brand detergent, try changing to a different brand and see if that will produce positive results.

Whenever you have an unpleasant or unfamiliar odor in the kitchen, whether it comes from the dishwasher, sink or any other appliance, you cannot go wrong using either bleach, vinegar or baking soda to wash away the odiferous culprit. I would not be without these three nifty cleaning agents in my kitchen cupboard.

Those three handy products, that are potentially already in your cupboard, are cost-effective, convenient and will get the job done.

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