My dishwasher smells funky. Help.

[slcjess]

It's new, about 3 months. It's always smelled weird, I thought it was just the newness/coating so I ran it empty a few times and thought it wild go away but t hasn't. I've run it with white vinegar and that didn't help at all. It smells the same all the time, whether it's empty, full of clean dishes, or full of dirty dishes. What else can I try? 

[tulips]

Is there a food particle trap somewhere that needs cleaned out?

[sonrisa]

funky like mildew? Funky like old food scraps? Funky like plastic? Funky like melted plastic?

[VeryViolet]

You arent going to like my idea but is there a chance that when they installed it an animal got trapped behind it or in the wall? Not to be gross but well this happened to us once not behind the dishwasher but in a wall.

[Lilac]

Our new dishwasher seals *really* well when it's closed and it smelled pretty funky the first several weeks. We now leave it cracked open to "air out" and it's been fine ever since. We have a Bosch. Maybe try that?

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:04:35 GMT -5 tulips said:

Is there a food particle trap somewhere that needs cleaned out?

I don't believe so, because it's smelled this way from day 1. I have gone around the trap with a paper towel and came up with nothing. 

[mom2twoboys]

The last time and only time our dishwasher stunk I was pregnant with Jackson. We decided to get another dishwasher after doing everything we could. Turns out when they guy took it out it had a dead rat underneath. Still sceeves me out!!

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:06:28 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

You arent going to like my idea but is there a chance that when they installed it an animal got trapped behind it or in the wall? Not to be gross but well this happened to us once not behind the dishwasher but in a wall.

I did think about this but they took away the old one and brought this one right in. My dog is still accounted for, lol.

[cst2cst]

Aug 18, 2016 20:06:47 GMT -5 Lilac said:

Our new dishwasher seals *really* well when it's closed and it smelled pretty funky the first several weeks. We now leave it cracked open to "air out" and it's been fine ever since. We have a Bosch. Maybe try that?

Yep.

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:06:47 GMT -5 Lilac said:

Our new dishwasher seals *really* well when it's closed and it smelled pretty funky the first several weeks. We now leave it cracked open to "air out" and it's been fine ever since. We have a Bosch. Maybe try that?

I will try this! How long before you noticed a difference? 

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:08:53 GMT -5 mom2twoboys said:

The last time and only time our dishwasher stunk I was pregnant with Jackson. We decided to get another dishwasher after doing everything we could. Turns out when they guy took it out it had a dead rat underneath. Still sceeves me out!!

I'm very sorry to hear you had to move and burn your house down. Lol. I don't think I could sleep at night after that!! 
The smell was not there with the old one. 

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:06:06 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

funky like mildew? Funky like old food scraps? Funky like plastic? Funky like melted plastic?

Maybe almost mildewy? I'll sniff it again when I get home. But it smelled like that when we first got it, too. 

[nsl]

Try pouring a cup of bleach into the middle of the unit (under the lower rack) and then running it empty on a light cycle.

[Lilac]

Aug 18, 2016 20:10:58 GMT -5 slcjess said:

Aug 18, 2016 20:06:47 GMT -5 Lilac said:

Our new dishwasher seals *really* well when it's closed and it smelled pretty funky the first several weeks. We now leave it cracked open to "air out" and it's been fine ever since. We have a Bosch. Maybe try that?

I will try this! How long before you noticed a difference? 

It cleared up after we ran the next wash cycle I think. It was a few months ago, so I can't remember exactly. We have a third tier for lids or silverware and water will collect on the lids during a wash cycle. When emptying the dishwasher, sometimes that water spills and collects in the bottom. We'll start a quick rinse cycle and then cancel it to make all the water in the bottom drain out.

But yeah, when we first got our dishwasher, I *hated* it because it smelled. We're BFFs again now

[mom2twoboys]

Aug 18, 2016 20:12:06 GMT -5 slcjess said:

Aug 18, 2016 20:08:53 GMT -5 mom2twoboys said:

The last time and only time our dishwasher stunk I was pregnant with Jackson. We decided to get another dishwasher after doing everything we could. Turns out when they guy took it out it had a dead rat underneath. Still sceeves me out!!

I'm very sorry to hear you had to move and burn your house down. Lol. I don't think I could sleep at night after that!! 
The smell was not there with the old one. 

Pretty much did. Now I live in Pittsburgh. I couldn't walk past it without thinking another one was under there. It was disgusting!!!

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:17:42 GMT -5 nsl said:

Try pouring a cup of bleach into the middle of the unit (under the lower rack) and then running it empty on a light cycle.

I'll do this as soon as I get home! And then leave it open a little. Thanks everyone!! 

[isabel]

Aug 18, 2016 20:09:22 GMT -5 slcjess said:

Aug 18, 2016 20:06:28 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

You arent going to like my idea but is there a chance that when they installed it an animal got trapped behind it or in the wall? Not to be gross but well this happened to us once not behind the dishwasher but in a wall.

I did think about this but they took away the old one and brought this one right in. My dog is still accounted for, lol.

For some reason, this is cracking me up. I'm just picturing you reading this and going,"... (idea) ... OH SHIT, THE DOG!" lol

[lilafowler]

Brawny Baby is ANGRY
BB's anger MANIFESTS

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:47:35 GMT -5 isabel said:

Aug 18, 2016 20:09:22 GMT -5 slcjess said:

I did think about this but they took away the old one and brought this one right in. My dog is still accounted for, lol.

For some reason, this is cracking me up. I'm just picturing you reading this and going,"... (idea) ... OH SHIT, THE DOG!" lol

He's way too annoying to be missing for so long.  (heart)

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 20:49:06 GMT -5 lilafowler said:

Brawny Baby is ANGRY
BB's anger MANIFESTS

It must be because I banished the painting to the guest room. Facing the wall. BB is a vengeful beast. 

[tillie]

If the bleach doesn't work try vinegar.

[lilafowler]

Aug 18, 2016 21:24:12 GMT -5 slcjess said:

Aug 18, 2016 20:49:06 GMT -5 lilafowler said:

Brawny Baby is ANGRY
BB's anger MANIFESTS

It must be because I banished the painting to the guest room. Facing the wall. BB is a vengeful beast. 

Um...YES

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 21:32:19 GMT -5 tillie said:

If the bleach doesn't work try vinegar.

That was the first thing I tried! It didn't touch it. 

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 21:39:02 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

Funky like cold medina?

I.... Don't know what this means! I even googled medina. 

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 21:33:32 GMT -5 lilafowler said:

Aug 18, 2016 21:24:12 GMT -5 slcjess said:

It must be because I banished the painting to the guest room. Facing the wall. BB is a vengeful beast. 

Um...YES

I'd rather have dishwasher funk than that thing be able to escape and strangle me with that giant arm

[tillie]

Aug 18, 2016 22:29:50 GMT -5 slcjess said:

Aug 18, 2016 21:32:19 GMT -5 tillie said:

If the bleach doesn't work try vinegar.

That was the first thing I tried! It didn't touch it. 

It helped ours a bit. I'm going to try the bleach and leaving it open a bit. I think the seal on ours is just too tight. We also only run it twice per week.

[bonquiqui]

Aug 18, 2016 22:39:42 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

Aug 18, 2016 22:30:59 GMT -5 slcjess said:

I.... Don't know what this means! I even googled medina. 

Haha oh child. Well before you were born there was a song called Funky Cold Medina by Tone Loc.

Uncle buck lol

[slcjess]

Aug 18, 2016 22:39:42 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

Aug 18, 2016 22:30:59 GMT -5 slcjess said:

I.... Don't know what this means! I even googled medina. 

Haha oh child. Well before you were born there was a song called Funky Cold Medina by Tone Loc.

LISTEN just because you are older than God himself doesn't mean I should be expected to know every song ever made!  (heart)

[bugandbibs]

Aug 18, 2016 22:51:51 GMT -5 slcjess said:

Aug 18, 2016 22:39:42 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

Haha oh child. Well before you were born there was a song called Funky Cold Medina by Tone Loc.

LISTEN just because you are older than God himself doesn't mean I should be expected to know every song ever made!  (heart)

You should really know this song.

[bugandbibs]

We had a similar problem. I scrubbed everything inside with shower/tile cleaner and ran a hot wash and dry cycle. That started us fresh. Then I began to leave the door cracked open during the day and all the way open overnight. The smell never came back.