by Tim Harry

Created on: November 05, 2009   Last Updated: March 02, 2010

The smell that can eminate from a dishwasher may not be a pleasant one, and often can prove to be an embarrassment to a homeowner. It is of course possible to remove odours from a dishwasher but sometimes the cause of the smell is far from obvious.

It may seem slightly strange for what is basically a cleaning tool, but to remove odours from a dishwasher the best method is to undertake a regular and thorough clean.

There are three main areas of the dishwasher that should be focused on. Firstly the dishwasher seals should be cleaned thoroughly. The seals, normally made of rubber or similar product, ensure that water doesn't seep out of the machine during its wash cycle. Dirt and grime are attracted to it and can be a major source of bad odours. The dishwasher seals though are easily cleaned with the use of bleach or similar cleaning product, which is best applied with a hard bristled toothbrush.

Most dishwashers do have a grinder that will ensure that all food waste is removed from the dishwasher during the cleaning process. That though doesn't mean that some food remnants are not left behind trapped in filters and other areas of the machine. To remove odours from a dishwasher it is a good idea to remove the filter and clean it out, disinfecting it with bleach.

A third major source of dishwasher odours, and one that is often overlooked, is the spray arms. Again a clean can be undertaken with a hard bristled toothbrush.

Although the above are three areas to concentrate it is also worthwhile to clean the whole inside of the dishwasher. There are many kitchen cleaning products that will do this job well, although

There are a number of odour killers available to buy from supermarkets, and are similar to those available for freezers or fridges. There are though equally a number of home remedies that will do a similar job.

One of the favourite home remedies for removing odours from a dishwasher is to take a cup of white vinegar and put it into the empty dishwasher. The dishwasher should then be run through a standard wash cycle. Any odours should disappear, and as added benefit white vinegar will also help prevent any calcium build up within the workings of the machine. Similar results can also be gained through the use of a baking soda and lemon juice mixture, with the baking soda said to be able to absorb and odours.

Prevention is normally said to be better than cure, and rather than remove odours from a dishwasher there are things that can be done to help prevent smells in the first place. Dishes and cutlery should be rinsed off before they are placed in the machine. This will greatly aide in preventing the build up of and food residue within the dishwasher, and is essential if dirty plates are stored in a dishwasher before the wash cycle is actually run.

A clean dishwasher, as well as being devoid of any bad odours, is obviously a lot more hygienic. Bad smells are a sign that the machine is not as a clean as it should be, and the dishes that come out of it may not be either. A regular and thorough clean will help to remove odours from a dishwasher and will add a great deal of comfort.

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