Eggy Smell In The Dishwasher

Friday, March 22, 2013

Eggy Smell In The Dishwasher

For safety, wash all of the dishes left in the dishwasher by hand.

A dishwasher with an egg or sulfur-like smell may be due to one of a few potential conditions. Dishwashers are useful appliances, saving homeowners time and energy. When they emit a foul egg smell, however, homeowners can become concerned and wonder if they are cleaning the dishes adequately. There are a few things that can be done to get an eggy smelling dishwasher running smoothly and odor free.

Food Trap

Dishwashers contain food traps, which are small plastic or metal screens that cover their drains. This prevents larger items such as utensils from passing down the drain and becoming lodged in the drain hose. The food trap can become clogged over time, so remove the trap and clean it in a bucket of water and vinegar, lightly scrubbing until all of the accumulated debris has been removed. Run the unit empty to rinse the food trap, and see if your odor problems have been eliminated.

Mildew and Mold Buildup

Over time, mold and mildew can discover the hospitable environment that is your dishwasher. Dark and consistently damp, it is the ideal habitat for a host of nasty microorganisms. Run your dishwasher without any dishes, and add 2 cups of vinegar to the floor of the unit or if the unit is stainless steel, use citric acid crystals which can be purchased from most any home improvement store. The cleaning action will spread the vinegar or acid around, and will go a long way towards reducing any mold or mildew colonies that might be inhabiting your dishwasher.

Drain Hose Issues

The drain hose on a dishwasher is relatively small, and can easily become crimped or crushed behind the unit. Pull your dishwasher out and examine the hose to see if there is any sign of damage or kinking. Remove the hose from the dishwasher and ensure there is not a clog or large amount of standing water remaining in the hose. All of these circumstances can cause a buildup of debris in the hose and eventual odor issues.

Drain Trap Malfunction

All household drains need what is called a drain trap. A drain trap is an elbow piece of pipe that sits between open drains and the main drain line of your house. These traps remain filled with water, and thereby prevent sewer gas from backing up and emanating through your drains. An egg smell can be a sign of sewer gas emitted from a malfunctioning drain trap. Ensure the trap is present, and is aligned properly so it remains filled with water, with the elbow portion of the pipe facing down.

Not stop draining

Friday, March 22, 2013