A dishwasher can smell bad even if the dishes come out clean. Food residue, grease, hard water scale, and trapped moisture can build up inside the machine over time.
Dishwasher odor often starts near the filter, spray arms, drain area, door edges, and hidden internal surfaces. A quick rinse does not always reach those areas.
A dishwasher cleaner and deodorizer tablet is made to clean the machine, not the dishes. It helps freshen the dishwasher and break down residue that can cause odors.
Start with an empty dishwasher. Remove large food particles from the filter area if your machine has an accessible filter. Check the bottom of the tub for anything loose.
Place the dishwasher cleaner tablet according to the product directions. Run a hot cycle with the dishwasher empty.
After the cycle, leave the door open for a while so the inside can dry. Moisture sitting inside the machine can make smells return faster.
Clean the filter regularly if your dishwasher has one. A dirty filter is one of the most common reasons a dishwasher smells bad.
Use a cleaner monthly for maintenance. If the dishwasher handles heavy loads, greasy pans, or hard water, clean it more often.
Do not ignore dishwasher odor. It usually means residue is sitting somewhere in the machine.
For the matching product category, see our dishwasher cleaners, or read why dishwashers need regular cleaning.
