Is Your Smelly Dishwasher in Fort Worth Giving You Grief? Find Out The 6 Reasons Why

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Your dishwasher is one of the components of your kitchen that helps make your daily routines as smooth as possible. In a busy home, it's important for appliances to work efficiently so you don't have to spend a lot of time on repairs. That's why it can be so distressing when you go to unload your dishwasher, only to find the stench of rotten food and mildew greeting you. You don't want the vessels you use for eating and drinking to turn your stomach. If you have a smelly dishwasher, you’ll know that this odor buildup means the unit has become a breeding ground for bacteria.

From a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth to oven elements that won't heat up, our Fort Worth appliance repair professionals can handle any appliance repair issue you throw our way. We're proud to offer our valued customers our combined experience, expertise, and expansive skill set that just can't be matched.

We will easily address all of the bad smells that are permeating your dishwasher. But what are the root causes behind a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth anyway? We're glad you asked! In this blog, we'll explore the issues behind a smelly dishwasher and how to go about fixing them.

6 Common Reasons Behind a Smelly Dishwasher

When it comes to a smelly dishwasher, it’s good to know some common causes to prevent this from happening in the future and prevent dishwasher repair. Of course, if you ever need dishwasher repair, our team of experts is ready and able to help whenever you need it!

Let’s look at the 6 common reasons for a smelly dishwasher:

  1. Food particle buildup
  2. Dirty drain filter
  3. Drain line blockage
  4. Water deposits
  5. Mold growth
  6. Grease buildup

We’ll look at each of these more closely to show you the problem and solution behind them. Let's dive right in!

1. Food Particle Buildup

Problem: Food residue stuck inside the food trap, due to dishwasher drains or spray arms not operating properly, may not seem like a big deal, but over time, these particles can decompose and result in a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth. Luckily, there is an easy fix for this!

Solution: Simply remove any accumulation of food waste from the food trap, which is located under the spray arms at the bottom of the unit. Repeat this process after every wash to rid yourself of that smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth.

2. Dirty Drain Filter

Problem: When your drain filter gets dirty, whether that's from food particle buildup or other debris and foreign objects accumulating, it will eventually create an unpleasant smell in your unit, and by extension, your kitchen. When filters are dirty, the unclean water may also be allowed to recirculate, preventing your dishes from properly getting clean.

Solution: The nice thing about a dirty filter is how easy it is to clean. Locate the filter underneath the bottom rack of your appliance. Then unscrew the filter to remove it from your smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth. Simply rinse the filter with hot water and return it to the machine, re-screwing it into place. This should restore the proper drainage.

3. Drain Line Blockage

Problem: As you might be able to guess, your drain hose allows dirty water, food remnants, and grease and grime to drain out of your machine, leaving only that clean water to get those dishes clean and sparkling. But it's not uncommon for food debris to become stuck in the drain hose line, leaving your dishwasher with an unpleasant odor that smells like fish. Some warning signs that this could be the issue behind your smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth are gurgling noises, a slow drain, or unclean dishes.

Solution: Try using a water and white vinegar solution to clean out your clogged dishwasher drain hose line when you have a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth. Pour the mixture into the unit drain and let sit for 15–20 minutes. Then try running a full rinse cycle.

4. Water Deposits

Problem: As most Fort Worth residents know, our dynamic city is considered to have a high hard water ratio, and with hard water comes mineral buildup. These mineral deposits, such as calcium and magnesium, can accumulate over time inside your dishwasher and cause an egg-like or sulfuric smell.

Solution: To rid yourself of these pesky mineral deposits and smelly dishwasher issues in Fort Worth, try running a white vinegar water bath. Repeat the same process mentioned above for drain line blockage.

5. Mold

Problem: Because a dishwasher is a moist, enclosed environment, it's the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew growth and, in turn, a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth. Even if your unit is run regularly, mold can survive through the wash and rinse cycles on high heat levels. Mold is especially prevalent in areas like gaskets, rubber arms, and other areas where water can easily collect.

Solution: To rid your machine of the growth of bacteria and your smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth issues, remove the dish racks and apply a bristled scrubbing brush to all the crooks and crevices of the unit. Pay special attention to gaskets, rubber sections, and plastic parts. Give the drain at the bottom of the unit a good scrubbing as well. Then wipe down the walls and roof of the machine with a cloth or sponge. Ensure all hard-to-reach areas have been cleaned. To finish, run a vinegar water bath through a rinse cycle to rid yourself of all bacterial growth.

6. Grease Buildup

Problem: Leftover food particles aren't the only thing that can build up, causing a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth. Greasy residues can also accumulate throughout the entire interior of the dishwasher, and in the drain and drain lines, causing a bad dishwasher smell.

Solution: Try scrubbing down the interior of the machine with a cleaning brush and clean cloths and sponges, including the dish racks or anything where caked grease may have had a chance to settle. Next, run your dishwasher through a vinegar-water wash cycle or two. This will help clear your smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth of grease buildup and other grime.

Preventative Maintenance: Say Goodbye To Your Smelly Dishwasher in Fort Worth

Now that you know the common culprits behind a smelly dishwasher, you may be wondering how you can prevent it from resurfacing in the future. You'll be pleased to know there are a few preventative methods you can apply on a regular basis. Some of these include:

  • Cleaning out the buildup of food particles from the drain after every cycle.
  • Take out the drain filter and rinse it out every few cycles or so.
  • Scrape food off dishes before putting them in the unit for washing.
  • Run a rinse cycle before running your normal cycle.
  • Leave the unit door open.
  • Use fresheners and dishwasher cleaners designed to fight unwanted odors.

Your dishwasher is one of the central components that pulses through the heartbeat of your kitchen. That's why it's so important to keep it in tip-top shape with routine dishwasher maintenance. Apply these preventative measures to keep it smelling fresh as new linen and working to optimal condition. Make your smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth a distant memory.

Choose Mr. Appliance to Tackle Your Smelly Dishwasher in Fort Worth

We're proud to be a Neighborly company. Neighborly is committed to providing our customers with only the best in home improvement, repairs, and regular maintenance services. And since we're a locally owned and operated business, we know exactly what Fort Worth, Benbrook, Cleburne, Haltom City, and Saginaw residents need. Proudly serving our local communities since 1996 across 200+ incredible locations, our expert team offers our people only the best in reliable services, a renowned level of expertise, and decades of first-hand experience on the job. We can restore your smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth and fix any appliance repairs and maintenance.

But, we don't just offer repairs and maintenance for smelly dishwashers in Fort Worth. We also offer services in refrigerator repairs, washing machine and dryer repairs, oven repairs, outdoor kitchen appliance repairs, and so much more! Whatever appliance in your home is calling out for help, we'll attend to it with care, precision, and great attention to detail.

When you hire us to solve your issues with a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth, you're hiring true professionals. That's why we want you to know that you can trust us through every step of the process. We promise to arrive on time to your scheduled appointment and in uniform in a certified company vehicle. We also stand by our leave-no-trace guarantee, which ensures we'll leave your house and hot water appliances in better condition than we found them. Just check out these detailed reviews from locals who chose us for their appliance repair needs.

Bid Those Smelly Dishwasher Fort Worth Issues Goodbye! Professional Advice Is Just a Call Away!

Whatever dishwasher issues you're facing—from a smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth to damaged spray arms or leakage issues, you can trust our appliance repair pros are the best in the business and will get your unit back up and running in no time! Don't let a DIY appliance repair be another thing on your to-do list when our experts are just a call away. Whether you've got a Bosch, Miele, Maytag, or Whirlpool appliance, Mr. Appliance of Fort Worth will service any major appliance brand.

Contact us today to book a service request and keep those foul odors at bay! We'll ensure your home is running as smoothly as ever and that smelly dishwasher in Fort Worth is a thing of the past.