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my dishwasher smells like d3ath, help!

duk3.tothemax

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Joined
Oct 14, 2025
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1
got this emergency DIY issue. Our dishwasher sometimes stinks like rotten eggs (GF’s words, but I smell it too sometimes) after a cleaning cycle.
I'm installing new kitchen floors, so the DW is pulled out. I checked the water inlet (quick Google search), and HOLY MOLY. the right side is rusty (iron?), but the left side is covered in nasty black gunk

Is this the smell culprit? Can I clean this black mess out, or is this thing toast and I need to replace the whole part while the machine is already out? Tell me the secret to a non stinky machine!
 
I think there's a similar post like this. But yeah, that black gunk is likely the culprit and it’s usually biofilm buildup mixed with grease. You can clean it out with a stiff brush, hot water, and a bit of vinegar or bleach solution but be careful with the bleach
 
@duk3.tothemax A good scrub with hot water and some vinegar usually does the trick. Only replace parts if it’s really caked on or damaged. Did you try pulling off any removable spray arms or filters to clean those too?
 
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