Removing Odors in your Dishwasher
How to Remove Odors from Your Maytag Dishwasher
Are you dealing with unpleasant smells coming from your dishwasher? It's a common issue that many face, often due to food debris, stagnant water, or mineral buildup. Thankfully, knowing how to effectively tackle dishwasher odor can enhance your kitchen environment and improve your appliance's performance. In this comprehensive guide, we will identify the causes of odors in dishwashers, provide a detailed method on how to eliminate odors from dishwashers, and suggest preventative strategies to maintain a fresh-smelling dishwasher. Continue reading to learn how to keep your Maytag dishwasher clean and odor-free.
Understanding the Causes of Dishwasher Odors
Dishwasher odor can be a bothersome household issue, typically caused by several factors. A primary source is food debris getting trapped in the dishwasher's filter, spray arms, or bottom. Even after a wash cycle, small food particles may remain, leading to unpleasant smells over time.
Stagnant water also exacerbates odors in the dishwasher. Water that remains at the bottom due to drainage issues or a blocked filter can cause unpleasant smells.
To address these issues, regular maintenance and cleaning are crucial. Ensuring that food debris is cleared and that the dishwasher drains properly can significantly reduce odors, helping to maintain optimal performance of your Maytag dishwasher and a fresh-smelling kitchen.
Additional Dishwasher Smells
- Plastic Smell: This is a normal smell and should dissipate with time (about two weeks). Try running a white vinegar rinse or using affresh® to help remove the odor.
- Spoiled Food: Dishes are not washed frequently. If the dishes are not going to be right away, run a "Rinse and Hold" or "Rinse Only" cycle.
- Petroleum Smell: This is a normal smell. Some models have sound-deadening material that smells like petroleum. This is normal and should dissipate in 4-6 weeks.
- Varnish Smell: This is a typical motor smell. Some motor windings are treated with a varnish. This smell will wear off in approximately one month.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Odors
Keeping your dishwasher fresh and clean is vital for ensuring your dishes come out sparkling and odor-free. Follow these steps to effectively remove odors from your Maytag dishwasher.
- Clean the drain filter and spray arms. Remove the drain filter, typically located at the bottom of the dishwasher, and rinse it under hot water to clear trapped food particles. Review Clean the Dishwasher Filters for more information.
- Clean the interior of the dishwasher. Use either affresh® or white vinegar. Refer to Cleaning the Dishwasher for more details.
- Wipe down the door seals and interior surfaces. Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to clean the rubber seals around the door. This will remove residual food particles and grime that contribute to odors.
- Check for any food or obstructions caught in the drain or the garbage disposer. Run the disposer to clear the obstruction.
Regular maintenance will keep your Maytag dishwasher smelling fresh and performing at its best!
Preventative Measures to Keep Your Dishwasher Fresh
To maintain optimal performance and prevent odors in your dishwasher, regular maintenance is essential. Clean the dishwasher filter at least once a month to remove food debris and buildup, ensuring water flows freely during cycles.
Properly loading your dishes is crucial in preventing dishwasher stinks. Avoid overcrowding, as this can restrict water circulation and leave food particles behind. Ensure larger items do not block the spray arms, and place utensils in designated holders to prevent them from nesting together, ensuring every item receives adequate cleaning.
Running a maintenance cycle with a dishwasher cleaner can significantly enhance freshness. Maytag offers specially formulated cleaners that break down grease and eliminate odor-causing residues. To execute a maintenance cycle, place the cleaner in the dishwasher as per product instructions and run a hot water cycle without dishes. Regularly schedule this process—ideally once a month—to keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and performing efficiently.
Cleans even where you can't see
affresh® cleans deep inside your appliances reaching components such as the tub, racks, pump, valves, drain, and recirculation hoses.
Cleaners are available at many retailers or can be purchased here at affresh®.
