Simple task prevents odours and stops food swilling around dishwashers

There’s nothing worse than opening a dishwasher only to be hit with an unpleasant odour.

Unfortunately, the warmer summer months often make dishwashers a breeding ground for bacteria and mould due to excess heat and humidity.

Even the cleanest of kitchens can have hidden nasties lurking inside the dishwasher.

Grime, food debris and cooking oils can quickly build up in dishwashers as they clean dishes and utensils which means they may not be as clean as people think.

With this in mind, AO’s appliance expert, Nick Small, has shared how to clean a dishwasher filter to prevent odours and stop “food swilling around dishwashers”.

Nick explained: “A well-maintained dishwasher leads to spotless dishes. But did you know there’s a cylindrical filter in the bottom of the machine that collects excess food?

“At least once a month simply unscrew the cylindrical filter and rinse off food bits collecting at the bottom.

“This will help prevent any odours and bits of old food swilling around your dishwasher during each cycle.”

Dishwasher filters should be cleaned at least once a month. However, if food debris and unpleasant smells occur regularly then dishwasher filters may need cleaning more frequently.

If cleaning dishwasher filters by hand sounds unpleasant then homeowners can run a hot cycle instead with white vinegar.

Simply put two cups of white vinegar in dishwasher-proof containers on the top rack.

Then, put the dishwasher on its hottest, longest cycle. This should be done once a month.

If there’s black gunk in the dishwasher filter, this could be a type of black yeast.

While it isn’t harmful to most people, it can be to babies, older people and those who are immunocompromised.