A clogged dishwasher can result in slow-draining water, resulting in foul odours that never seem to get fully clean. Learning where to look for dishwasher clogs and how to unclog a dishwasher yourself is important.

The appropriate method for unclogging a dishwasher depends on the type of clog you’re dealing with. This is why knowing how to locate the clogs is important.

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How to clear dishwasher clogs

Before you decide to unclog your dishwasher, disconnect the power supply.

Empty the dishwasher

After disconnecting your dishwasher, make sure the dishwasher is empty of any contents. An empty dishwasher will allow you to get a complete look at your appliance. Remove the racks and try to locate where the foul smell is coming from.

Remove standing water from the dishwasher

You need to remove any standing water from your dishwasher. This makes it easy and accessible to drain any water remaining in the dishwasher. You can also remove the excess water with a cup and soak up the remaining water with towels to make sure it doesn’t mess up your floors.

Check the filters

The most likely cause of most dishwasher drainage concerns is the dirty filters. Tough food particles or wet chunks of food from the container can get caught in the filter and keep water from draining out of your dishwasher. Be sure to drain the filters and clear the clogs. Most dishwashers will have multiple filters with different-sized holes to capture food debris and grime, preventing it from being washed further downstream. It is essential to regularly remove and clean these filters to ensure that dirty water can still drain efficiently from the appliance.

Inspect other parts of the dishwasher

When you have cleaned your filter and the dishwasher is still not draining properly, there may be another reason why it’s clogged. Check the drain pump, the disposal, and the air gap for any potential issues or blockages. Be sure to check if it’s not full of food debris.

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After clearing some of the clog, run your dishwasher cycle without any dishes or detergent to clean the interior and flush out the drain. You can add a cup of vinegar to the dishwasher to freshen it up.

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