How to Get Rid of a Sewage Smell in a Dishwasher

A sewage smell coming from your dishwasher is certainly disconcerting at best. You trust your dishwasher to clean your dishes thoroughly, but if you cannot get rid of the sewer smell you cannot be sure your dishwasher is cleaning your dishes. To begin resolving the issue, you must first narrow down whether the problem is simply a dirty dishwasher or a more complex problem with plumbing. You can clean your dishwasher thoroughly with a few simple household ingredients.

Liquid dish soap
Bleach
Old toothbrush of soft-bristled brush
Sponge
Baking soda
White vinegar

Instructions

- 1
  Clear any food debris from around the dishwasher drain.
- 2
  Mix 2 tbsp. of liquid dish soap and 1/4 cup bleach into 1 qt. of hot water. Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to scrub around the drain and the rubber seal surrounding the dishwasher's door.
- 3
  Wipe down the interior of the dishwasher and both racks, using a sponge dipped in the same hot, soapy solution.
- 4
  Sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a full wash cycle. If the odor remains, pour 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and run a full cleaning cycle. If the odor still persists, contact a plumber to check the drain lines.

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