Why Does My Dishwasher Smell?
If your dishwasher smells bad, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common problems we deal with at Tommie Kelly Appliance Repairs. Whether it’s a faint musty odour or a strong foul smell, it usually points to a few simple and fixable issues.
Here’s what might be causing the smell — and how to get your dishwasher smelling fresh again.
🔍 Common Causes of Dishwasher Odours
1. Food Residue & Blocked Filters
Food particles often get trapped in the dishwasher filter, spray arms, or rubber door seals. This can lead to bacterial build-up and unpleasant smells.
👉 Solution: Regularly clean the filter and check for trapped debris — a key part of good dishwasher maintenance.
2. Standing Water & Drainage Issues
Water pooling at the bottom can give off a stagnant smell. This is often caused by a blocked drain hose or a faulty drain pump.
If your dishwasher won’t start, won’t fill, or stops mid-cycle, it might be a drainage fault.
🔗 Read more: Dishwasher Won’t Start or Fill with Water
🔗 Read more: Why Is My Dishwasher Leaking or Stopping Mid-Cycle?
3. Mould and Mildew
Trapped moisture after cycles can lead to mould in your dishwasher.
👉 Tip: Leave the door slightly open after use and run a hot wash cycle weekly to keep things fresh.
4. Hard Water & Limescale
Many Irish homes have hard water, which causes limescale and soap scum build-up. This traps food particles and odours over time.
👉 Use a dishwasher descaler regularly.
🔗 More tips: Dishwashers & Hard Water
❓ Common Dishwasher Questions
💡 Are Dishwashers Expensive to Run?
No! Most modern dishwashers are very energy- and water-efficient, especially when using eco modes. They can actually save money compared to hand-washing in larger households.
💧 Why Do Dishwashers Leak?
Leaks often come from worn door seals, loose hoses, or too much detergent.
🔗 Read: Why Is My Dishwasher Leaking or Stopping Mid-Cycle?
🔧 Can Dishwashers Be Repaired?
Yes — and usually for less than you’d expect. Most faults like heating issues, drainage problems or error codes are repairable.
🔗 Explore: Appliance Repairs
👨🔧 Who Fixes Dishwashers?
We do! At Tommie Kelly Appliance Repairs, our local technicians are trusted across the West and Midlands of Ireland for fast, honest, and expert service.
🔥 How Do Dishwashers Heat Water?
Dishwashers use a heating element inside the machine to warm water during wash cycles. If your dishes aren’t coming out clean or hot, the heater element may be the issue.
🔗 Guide: Dishwasher Heater Element Not Heating the Water
🚿 How Do Dishwashers Drain?
A dishwasher drains through a pump and drain hose connected to your kitchen plumbing. If this system is blocked or faulty, you’ll see standing water or error codes.
🔗 Troubleshoot: Dishwasher Won’t Start or Fill with Water
⚠️ Dishwasher Error Codes
Seeing a blinking light or cryptic error on your display?
🔗 Check out: Dishwasher Showing Error Codes
🛠️ Dishwasher Repairs & Installations
Whether your dishwasher smells bad, leaks, won’t drain, or needs full installation, we’ve got you covered. We repair all brands and models — both integrated and freestanding — with:
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Same-day or next-day callouts
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Transparent pricing
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Genuine parts and expert service
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Full dishwasher installations & replacements
📍 Local Dishwasher Repairs Across Roscommon, Galway, Westmeath & Leitrim
We proudly repair dishwashers across Counties Roscommon, Galway, Westmeath, and Leitrim — offering fast, affordable service to both towns and rural homes.
Looking for dishwasher repairs in Galway City, leaking dishwasher help in Carrick-on-Shannon, or integrated dishwasher fixes in Mullingar?
You’re in safe hands with Tommie Kelly Appliance Repairs.
📞 Book your repair online or call now for fast, local dishwasher repairs in your area.
Dishwasher Spare Parts & Accessories – Fast Delivery & Genuine Quality
Looking for dishwasher spare parts to get your appliance working like new? At Tommie Kelly Appliance Repairs, we stock a wide range of genuine dishwasher spare parts and accessories to help you repair your machine quickly and affordably.
Whether you need parts for a Beko dishwasher or another trusted brand, we’ve got the right components in stock and ready for next-day delivery across Ireland.
Genuine Dishwasher Spare Parts in Stock
We offer an extensive selection of authentic washing machine spares, including:
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Door seals and hinges
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Drain pumps and filters
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Heat Pump Element
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Control panels and switches
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Hoses and valves
All parts are high-quality, competitively priced, and backed by our expert support team. Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional technician, you can count on us for reliable machine parts.
Protect Your Money with Tommie Kelly Euronics
If we can’t repair your appliance, use the value towards a replacement in-store
Get 10% off new machines (up to a set value) when upgrading after a failed repair
📍 Local Dishwasher Repairs Across Roscommon, Galway, Westmeath & Leitrim
We proudly repair dishwashers across Counties Roscommon, Galway, Westmeath, and Leitrim — offering fast, affordable service to both towns and rural homes.
Areas We Cover:
Roscommon:
Roscommon Town, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Strokestown
Galway:
Galway City, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Oranmore, Tuam
Westmeath:
Athlone, Mullingar, Moate, Kilbeggan, Castlepollard
Leitrim:
Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton, Drumshanbo, Ballinamore, Mohill