Is your dishwasher starting to smell like a wet sock? Mine did, and I assumed the machine was dying. A repair tech quoted me $150 just to look at it. Then my mother-in-law, who has owned the same dishwasher for twenty years, told me to run two cycles with pantry staples. The smell vanished, and I saved $150.

Why Dishwashers Get Smelly

Food particles collect in the filter and along the door gasket. Grease and grime build up in spots the spray arms never reach, and over time they start to smell, especially in warm, damp machines.

The Vinegar Cycle

1. Empty the dishwasher completely. No dishes at all.
2. Pour one cup of white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl.
3. Place the bowl upright on the top rack.
4. Run a full hot cycle.

The vinegar breaks down grease and mineral buildup. Do not add vinegar to the detergent dispenser, it can damage the seals. The bowl method is the safe way.

The Baking Soda Cycle

1. After the vinegar cycle, sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher.
2. Run a short hot cycle.
3. Wipe the door gasket and edges with a damp cloth.

The baking soda neutralizes odors and gives the interior a fresh finish. The two cycles together do more than either alone. Vinegar dissolves the buildup, baking soda kills the smell.

Things I Got Wrong at First

I skipped the filter cleaning. Modern dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom, and mine was coated in gray sludge. I rinsed it under the tap and it took five minutes. Clean the filter first, then run the vinegar cycle, or you are just dissolving grime that is still sitting there.

I used apple cider vinegar. It works okay, but it can leave a faint scent and a sticky residue. Plain white vinegar is the right choice.

I ran the cycle with dishes in it. The vinegar reacts with food residue and the bowl, and the dishes come out smelling like salad dressing. Empty machine only.

The Monthly Routine

Once a month:

1. Clean the filter
2. Wipe the door gasket with a damp cloth
3. Run the vinegar cycle
4. Run the baking soda cycle
5. Scrub the spray arms with an old toothbrush if you see clogged holes

When It Is Actually Broken

If the dishwasher still smells after a thorough cleaning, check the drain hose for a clog, and check under the machine for standing water. If neither is the issue, then you may need a repair. But try the $1 fix first.

Two cycles, one cup of vinegar, one cup of baking soda, and five minutes of filter scrubbing. My dishwasher smells like nothing, which is exactly what a dishwasher should smell like.