Something is amiss if your dishwasher smells like fish. However, what might be the issue?
There are many reasons why your system might emit that unpleasant odor. As you read this post, you’ll learn about typical causes, how to resolve the issue, and how to stop it from happening again.
Dishwasher Smells Like Fish
A dishwasher is a vital kitchen machine that makes cleanup and other kitchen activities easier.
Despite this, it’s one of your kitchen’s hardest-working machines, requiring constant upkeep. A dishwasher will gather residue if it isn’t cleaned thoroughly.
As the residue builds up and rots, bacteria will eventually grow there.
-
Not every smell is a sign of abnormality.
Not every fishy odor that emerges from your dishwasher indicates a problem.
Fresh plastic or gasoline odors usually disappear in a week or two. To help get rid of the smell, use a dishwasher cleaner.
Specific dishwashing models have deadening ingredients that can produce these kinds of smells. For instance, vanishing is applied to some motor windings. You are, therefore, more likely to notice this smell.
But don’t worry; the scent should disappear in four to six weeks.
Why Your Dishwasher Smells Like Fish
As previously said, your dishwasher has a problem if it smells like fish or decaying food.
One cause could be a blocked dishwasher or an unclean filter. Others include grease buildup, mildew, standing water, food remnants, and damaged or leaky drain hoses.
You can arrange for experts to visit and examine your system.
They’ll identify the underlying issue and offer a prompt fix. However, if you’d rather handle it yourself, the details below will help you complete the procedure quickly.
-
Clogged Dishwasher
Food particles can build up and contaminate your dishwasher filter.
If you use too much detergent, the filter may clog. If it is not cleaned regularly, odors may arise. A clogged filter often makes it harder to clean your dishes properly by recirculating filthy water, affecting your health.
This problem can be resolved by cleaning the filter after removing the filthy one. If it breaks, you may swap it out for a new one. See your user manual for complete instructions.
But keep in mind that not every dishwasher filter requires cleaning. Easy-to-take-care-of filters are less likely to produce an unpleasant odor.
-
Drain Hose Broken or Leaking
If your drain hose is broken or leaking, it will smell fishy.
This part is crucial in clearing the sink’s disposal unit of waste food and dirty water. Gurgling sounds from the unit, slowly draining water, and dirty dishes flowing out are classic indicators that a drain hose is broken or leaking.
To resolve this problem, remove the lower access panel and check the floor’s condition. Water damage to your floor indicates the device leaks; you’ll need an expert to fix it.
-
Accumulation of Grease
If there’s a lot of grease buildup in the filter, drain, and other internal parts, the fish stench will explode. Therefore, the dishwasher’s inside parts should be cleaned regularly to prevent this foul odor.
Remove the knockout plug from its inlet if your dishwasher is linked to a disposal. This will enable you to clean the appliance thoroughly.
-
Mildew
It is well known that dishwashers create a warm, humid environment.
If not cleaned thoroughly, they may encourage mildew growth on the dishwasher door or gasket, and your machine will quickly smell like fish. In such a case, you should perform a standard cycle to check if it drains.
If your dishwasher is attached to a garbage disposal, try operating it to ensure it’s not clogged.
Ensure the disposal inlet’s knockout plug has been removed. Wipe any potential dirt or residue buildup on all four sides of the dishwasher door to prevent further buildup within the appliance.
-
Dirty Dishes and Food Soils
Leftover food is a further concern that could lead to a fishy smell from your dishwasher.
Generally speaking, unpleasant odors can come from food particles and dirty dishes that get into the tubs of other parts of machines. To solve this problem, wash dishes well and dispose of leftovers from the machine correctly.
Another option is to rinse the dishwasher with vinegar. However, refrain from using detergent while cleaning.
-
Standing Water
Lastly, the smell of fish in your kitchen or house may also be caused by standing water.
Such an odor tends to be a sign of drainage problems. Given that dishwashers are often linked to the same drain, you may discover that the source of the odor is your kitchen sink’s drain.
To solve this issue, examine and clean the door’s seals with a moist cloth to remove mold or mildew. You can also leave your dishwasher door slightly open when not in use or for a few hours following a cycle.
Eliminating Fish-Like Smell in Dishwashers
Dishwashers are a huge convenience in the kitchen.
They ensure that your dishes are clean after washing. If your machine smells like fish, you can deodorize it using the instructions below. The process is simple, even for beginners.
Getting your supplies together should be your priority. You’ll need dish soap, white vinegar, a dishwasher-safe basin, a soft-bristled brush, and a fresh, dry towel when you’ve gathered everything.
Empty the dishwasher to make room for everything and remove every dish, glass, and utensil.
After you’re through, remove the filter and tidy it. To get rid of any dirt or buildup, empty any garbage and give it a bath in warm, soapy water.
Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the filter and gently remove stubborn particles. After cleaning the filter, you can move on to cleaning the machine’s inside.
Now, fill a dishwasher-safe basin without a lid with two cups of white vinegar. When the bowl is empty, put it on the dishwasher’s lowest rack.
The vinegar will combine with the wash water as the dishwasher runs, neutralizing odors and sanitizing it when you choose a cycle with the dry option turned off.
Preventing a Smelly Dishwasher
Now that you know what might make your dishwasher smell like fish, you must figure out how to prevent it from happening again. To keep it odor-free, you’ll need to clean your machine regularly, such as monthly.
It is not advisable to fill your dishwasher racks. Allowing water and soap to pass through will facilitate the breakdown of food particles in each dish.
Use dishwasher cleaning products to keep a fresh smell and lessen odor-causing residues.
Following these easy steps, you can keep your dishwasher operating at its best and avoid foul odors.
Dishwashers play a vital part in culinary inventiveness. They can make cleanup easier while leaving plenty of time to care for other matters. When they smell bad, though, that can cause discomfort.
One of these causes may be the cause of your dishwasher’s fishy odor.
Such an unpleasant odor can be effectively removed with careful cleaning. To avoid it next time, adhere to the preventive advice.