I was hoping some of you savvy parents might be able to help. My dishwasher seems to have just started getting worse with an accumulation of smell. I don't understand what's happening, as the machine is clean and I don't see an accumulation of food anywhere that could be causing this problem. The machine is all silver inside, as if brand new. The washer is about 3 years old, a stainless steel KitchenAid. At first, the smell wasn't too offensive, but now, it's something between fishy and mildewy. I have no idea what's causing it, as I have switched detergents and the smell still lingers. Everything comes out spotless, but with the mild odor. Since I have it to run on a deep cleaning + sani-rinse cycle (which is a hot-water sanitizing cycle), then I assume the dishes are pristine and safe for use. I don't know what else to do to get rid of the smell. Should I run it without anything inside and see if the smell goes, or is there an actual remedy I can try? Every time I open the dishwasher and get a whiff of that odor, it drives me nuts. It's so frustrating! It got worse this weekend when we had fish and the dishes with a lingering smell of fish sat in the washer for about 2 days before it filled up and I ran the cycle. I don't want to run the machine daily when there are only 2-3 dishes, so I am hoping there's an actual "green" remedy. Any advice?
Another issue - stains on my silverware. These have been happening for months now, they look like brown spots, somewhat like rust, even though the silverware says "stainless steel". So much for "stainless"! After they come out of the dishwasher, the spots are there. No matter how many times I put them back in the dishwasher, the stains are still there. I guess I am confused as to how stainless steel gets...stains. What causes this, and how do you get rid of these stains? I never have guests at my place, but in case I do someday, I don't want them thinking the silverware is filthy, plus the stains bother me, even if no one else sees them. They look dirty. Do I need to dump otherwise perfectly good silverware and start over just because of the spotting, or is there an actual solution to the stains that will also save the silverware?
Sorry for my long question, but I am hoping to get some helpful answers, plus I hope I can help other parents that may be in the same bind (I'm sure there are some out there and that I am not the only one). Thanks in advance!
UPDATE: Great advice! I do use Jet Dry rinse aid and the glasses come out crystal clear, but I do leave the silverware in the washer even after the dry cycle as I tend to run it before I go to work or before going to bed, so the stuff does sit in there for hours, sometimes even a day, before I can empty it. I will try running it one day after getting home and taking out the silverware immediately after the dry cycle to see if this helps.
We had an issue with the tubing a year or two ago where the tube was not properly connected and when I ran the wash, all the water leaked to the condo downstairs but since the plumber reinforced the contractor's tubing, I don't think there's an issue with the tubing. The smell only happens when the washing machine door is open also so that's why I think it's inside.
I usually use these Cascade pills that are gel-like and have powder inside (called Action Pacs), but before that, I used to just use gel. I will try to check the sprayer this weekend as someone suggested and clean it out, then I will try the vinegar to see if that helps with the smell. Do you put the vinegar inside the soap compartment, or do you just squirt it on to the bottom of the machine so that it mixes with the water?
Well, I could not get any assistance in taking the machine apart (no surprise there), so I decided to try the vinegar. It did not clean my dishes or glasses, as there was still residue on them, but at least it got rid of the fishy smell. I put in the powder and ran the cycle again and this time, the dishes came out spotless and with no smell. I think the vinegar did the trick, without having to even take the washer apart! If it gets smelly again, I will combine the powdered detergent with the vinegar, but it's been a a good 3-4 washes since posting this and no smell thus far. As for the rust, I guess I won't worry about it too much. I honestly never have guests so no one will see, but I will one day get the dishes washed while I'm actually home (hopefully!) so I'm able to take the silverware out right away and see if that stops the rust. Thanks for your suggestions!
Have you tried running an empty load with 2 cups of white vinegar through it?
Also, are you using the gel or liquid? We were told powder ONLY in a dishwasher--no gels or liquids. And if you use a lot of the gel or liquid it will cause issues--it happened to us.
Are you using a rinse agent?
If powder detergent gets on silverware it will cause brown spots.
Get out your instruction manual, it will show you how to remove the agitator because under that is where all the stuff accumulates. My washer says to clean it out twice a year.
I am concerned that the smell may actually be from the tubing and draining from the machine and not the actual machine. Have your hubby pull it out from it's location, look at all the drains and tubes that carry the water in and away from your machine to rule this out.
for spots, do you use that post rinse add in (like jet dry)? that has helped with spots, but some rust spots from my personal experience is from a poor drying unit that leaves water droplets on the silverwear and if not dried by hand in a timely manner created rust and having "cheaper" silverwear - stainless or not I found some of it (like picnic wear) rusted.
Also, if you aren't, try removing the silverware right after the dry cycle is over and not leaving it in the dishwasher a few days (again, have completely been guilty of this and saw similar results you are describing).
Hope that helps a little. . .my own trial and error:)
We too have had similar issues here in Hudson, FL . We are using vinegar to wash with now. I wash off the dishes first and then put into dishwasher with only vinegar now. No harsh chemicals -- so that is a plus! You could run the dishwasher empty with just the vinegar and see if that helps. The smell that continues after this would likely require your husband pulling the dishwasher out to check the pipes/tubes etc. Good Luck.
i second one and done. white vinegar is an excellent cleaner. i haven't had this problem with my dishwasher, but we have rock-hard water here and i often clean my coffee maker and ice maker with vinegar. give 'er a whirl!
khairete
S.
Open it up, pull out the bottom rack.
Under there is the "spinning sprayer".
Unscrew the rubber thing holding the sprayer on.. Pull off the sprayer.
Under there is a grid that collects all of the gunk, carefully pop it out, wash it off and take our any bits of food and junk that may be down there..
This should help with the smell.
Put it all back together, and run the machine on super hot with the vinegar as suggested.
Has the machine always left spots on the flatware? If yes, then it is the water and you will need to consider adding vinegar to each load or purchasing an additive that hooks onto the inside of the machine..
They sell these products where the dishwasher detergent is sold. .. if not, then hopefully cleaning out the bottom of the machine will help.
Have you tried the stuff to clean the dishwasher . Its found next to the dishwasher soaps.It's a small bottle (like water spot preventer). You just put it in and run the dishwasher. If you use it every few months it stays fresh. Hope this helps=)
dump a cup of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and run a cycle....Good to go...
I didn't read through all the other responses so I'm sorry if I repeat anything...........
Take the bottom out of the dishwasher where the lower spray arm attaches. There should be instructions in the owners book telling how to do so. But food bits can collect under there. If yours had a hard food processor it may not be working right and needs to get looked at.
The brown spots on the silverware is the result of the chemical reaction between the different metals (pots, pans, silverware, stainless steel tub) and the detergent. Since the silverware probably touches that is where the brown spots are more apt to show up. Try hand washing your pots and pans if you don't already as they are made up of many different metals.
I use vinegar in the rinse aid thing instead of store bought stuff. It's cheaper, does just as good of a job and keeps the inside of the unit cleaner too. It would be a good idea to run a hot cycle empty and toss about a cup of vinegar in there too to help clean and descale everything.
Good luck!
S.
