How to Clean Your Dishwasher (And Stop That Bad Smell)

Your dishwasher is supposed to clean your dishes — but what happens when the dishwasher itself starts to smell bad? Food scraps, grease, soap residue, hard water minerals, and bacteria can build up inside, causing:

• bad odors
• cloudy dishes
• slime or grime
• poor draining
• water spots

The good news? Cleaning your dishwasher is surprisingly easy — and you only need a few natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and a simple toothbrush. This SwiftScrub deep guide shows you how to make your dishwasher sparkle, smell fresh, and perform like new. 🧽✨

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❗ Why Dishwashers Start to Smell

Dishwashers get dirty because of:

• food particles trapped in filter
• grease buildup in spray arms
• soap residue coating the walls
• standing water in bottom
• mold around door seals

Cleaning each part removes odor at the source — not just masking it.

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🧹 Step 1: Clean the Filter (The #1 Source of Odor)

The filter catches food scraps and is the most common reason dishwashers smell.

✔ How to Clean the Filter

1. Remove bottom rack
2. Twist and lift out the filter
3. Rinse under hot water
4. Scrub with dish soap + old toothbrush
5. Rinse again and replace

Do this monthly — it prevents nearly all odor problems.

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🧽 Step 2: Clean the Spray Arms

If the spray arms are clogged, your dishwasher won’t clean properly.

✔ How to Clean

1. Remove spray arms if possible
2. Use toothpick to unclog holes
3. Rinse with warm vinegar water

This improves water pressure and restores cleaning power.

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🍋 Step 3: Deep-Clean With Vinegar

Vinegar dissolves grease, removes soap scum, and kills bacteria.

✔ Vinegar Cleaning Method

1. Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack
2. Run hottest cycle
3. Let machine complete the cycle fully

This cleans the internal plumbing too — something you can’t reach manually.

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🧂 Step 4: Deodorize With Baking Soda

Baking soda eliminates stuck odors and brightens the interior.

✔ How to Use

1. Sprinkle ½ cup baking soda on the bottom
2. Run short, hot cycle

Your dishwasher will smell fresh and clean instantly.

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🧴 Step 5: Scrub the Door, Seals & Edges

The rubber seals trap moisture and often grow mold and mildew.

✔ Cleaning Solution

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 tsp dish soap

✔ How to Clean

1. Dip microfiber cloth into solution
2. Scrub seals, corners, and edges
3. Dry completely to prevent mold

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🧼 Step 6: Wipe the Interior Walls & Racks

Vinegar + microfiber cloth removes residue easily.

• wipe stainless interior
• clean the sides & bottom
• scrub racks if greasy

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🚰 Step 7: Clean the Drain Area

The drain traps food and can cause odors or slow drainage.

✔ How to Clean

• remove debris by hand
• pour ½ cup vinegar
• let sit 10 minutes
• rinse with hot water

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🌬 Step 8: Keep Your Dishwasher Fresh Longer

✔ Do These:

• rinse large food chunks off dishes
• clean filter every 2–4 weeks
• run vinegar cycle monthly
• leave door slightly open after cycles to prevent mold
• use rinse aid to reduce water spots

✔ Avoid These:

• bleach in stainless dishwashers
• overloading dishes
• placing plastic near heating element

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✨ Final Thoughts

Your dishwasher works hard every day — and with the SwiftScrub natural-cleaning method, you can keep it performing at its best while staying odor-free, residue-free, and sparkling clean. A well-maintained dishwasher cleans better, lasts longer, and keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.

SwiftScrub — Clean smarter, breathe fresher, and enjoy a healthier home. ✨🧽