5 Steps to Get Burned Plastic Smell Out of a Dishwasher

While people often associate dishwasher smells with rotting food or mildew, there is another common smell that can be hard to get rid of. Burned plastic smells in your dishwasher can be caused by a few different factors and can be harder to get rid of than organic smells. The plastic smell can permeate your kitchen and even linger on your dishes after the wash cycle has finished. If this has been happening to you, don’t despair! We’ve got some simple, practical steps you can take that will have your dishwasher smelling fresh and clean again in no time!

What Causes Burned Plastic Smell In A Dishwasher?

A burned plastic smell in your dishwasher is usually caused by a plastic item getting too close to the dishwasher heating elements during a cycle. In most dishwashers, the heating element is located at the bottom. If a small plastic item like a lid falls through the rack and sits on the heating element during the cycle, it can melt – particularly if the item is not dishwasher safe. This leads to a burned plastic smell in your dishwasher, which can be hard to get rid of. 

Note that there is another more serious potential cause of a burned plastic smell in the dishwasher wiring issues. This is due to an underlying cause and can’t be fixed by simply removing the offending item and doing a deep clean. Here’s how to tell the difference:

• If the smell is caused by wiring issues, the smell will emanate from the dishwasher while it is in use. If it’s caused by melted plastic, you’ll notice the smell when you open the dishwasher after a cycle. 
• A smell caused by wiring issues will usually be accompanied by performance issues such as overheating or ineffective washing. 
• If the smell is due to melted plastic, you will be able to identify the offending item – it will usually be sitting at the bottom of the dishwasher and will appear melted or distorted. 

How To Prevent Burned Plastic Odors

Accidents happen, but you can help prevent burnt plastic smells in your dishwasher by following these simple steps:

• Make sure you only put dishwasher-safe items in your dishwasher. If you’re unsure if a plastic item is dishwasher safe, hand wash it to be on the safe side. 
• When washing plastic containers, always put them on the top rack of the dishwasher, as this is further away from the heating element. 
• When washing small plastic items, place them in the cutlery basket. This prevents them from falling through the cracks and ending up on the heating element. 

Getting Burned Plastic Smell Out Of Your Dishwasher – Five Steps

After you’ve identified the cause of the burned plastic smell in your dishwasher and removed the offending item, you’ll probably notice the smell still exists. While the smell can be stubborn, if you follow the five steps below, you can get rid of the odor and have a fresh-smelling dishwasher again. 

Step 1: Clean The Filter

The first thing to do after removing the melted piece of plastic is to clean the filter. Dishwasher filters trap pieces of food and debris from inside your dishwasher and also trap odors. To clean:

• Remove the bottom rack of the dishwasher to access the filter. 
• Remove the filter cover (if you have one) and unscrew the filter. In the majority of dishwasher models, the filter can be unscrewed by turning the filter counterclockwise. If you’re having issues removing yours, consult your dishwasher manual. 
• Manually remove all debris from the filter, then scrub the filter under running water until clean. If it still smells of burning plastic, soak the filter in a mixture of white vinegar and water for an hour – this should get rid of lingering odors. 
• Thoroughly clean the filter housing and remove all remaining debris. 
• Put the filter back in place and replace the filter cover. 

Step 2: Wipe Down The Entire Interior

The next step is to clean all the internal surfaces in your dishwasher. 

• Make a mixture of one cup of water and one cup of white vinegar. 
• Use a soft cloth or sponge and wipe down every surface of your dishwasher to remove any lingering odors. 
• Pay particular attention to the bottom of the dishwasher, where the heating element is located. If you notice any traces of melted plastic, use a scouring pad to remove them; otherwise, the smell will come back when you run a hot dishwasher cycle.

Step 3: Run a Cleaning Cycle

The next step is to run a cleaning cycle to remove any traces of odor from the internal components like the pipes and the drainage hose. 

• Purchase a commercial dishwasher cleaning product from the supermarket. If you prefer to use natural products, you can use a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with one cup of white vinegar. 
• Position the dishwasher cleaner according to its instructions, or place the bowl of white vinegar on the top shelf of your dishwasher. 
• Set your dishwasher to the hottest possible cleaning cycle, then press start. 
• Once the cycle has finished, remove the cleaning product or bowl. 

Step 4: Deodorize

If the smell is still lingering, you can try a deodorizing cycle. 

• Place a bowl of baking soda in your dishwasher, close the door, and let it sit overnight – do not start a wash cycle. This will allow the baking soda to absorb the remaining odors. 
• In the morning, run a hot cycle as above. 

Step 5: Dry And Air Your Dishwasher

Finally, make sure you dry and air out your dishwasher to get rid of the last traces of the burned plastic smell. 

• As soon as the dishwasher cycle is finished, open the dishwasher door to let the moisture evaporate. 
• Leave the door open for a couple of hours to air. After this, you should find that no traces of the burned plastic smell remain.