Food Residue

• Food residue can result in a variety of foul smells in your dishwasher. Often the food removed from dishes can gather in the bottom of the unit and should be cleaned out regularly to avoid odors developing. Put some powdered dishwasher detergent on a damp sponge to make a paste and wipe the bottom and sides of the dishwasher to remove food particles and residue and then run a normal cycle to rinse away soap and remaining debris. This should be done weekly if you use your dishwasher daily to prevent odors from developing.
  
  

Infrequent Use

• If the dishwasher is used infrequently odors can develop from food particles trapped inside the unit. Because there isn't a regular cycle running, these particles begin to smell as they sit inside the airless spaces. To remove odors caused by infrequent use, run an empty cycle with either detergent or 2 tbsp. vinegar. Run a rinse cycle daily as well to prevent future odors from developing.
  
  

Clogged Drain

• If the water is pooling in the bottom of your dishwasher, this can cause a musty or rotten odor to develop. There are several reasons that a dishwasher may stop draining properly. Check the drain hose for kinks. A hose that is kinked should be replaced with a new hose. Check that the door is closed and latched when running the dishwasher. If the door is not properly closed, the unit may not drain fully. If there is a loop in your drain hose less than 20 inches above the floor, the water may not drain properly. Loop the hose so that it touches the underside of your counter before it connects to the sink or garbage disposal. Most dishwashers are connected to a sink drain, and if the sink is clogged, the dishwasher can't pump out the water. Once the clog is removed from the sink, your dishwasher should drain properly and the odor should dissipate.
  
  

Dirty Filter

• The filtration system of your Kitchenaid dishwasher is designed to minimize running noise and conserve energy while cleaning your dishes. The filter requires maintenance periodically in order to function at optimum levels. The filter also keeps food debris and large objects out of the pump. If you notice a smell coming from the dishwasher as well as reduced performance, such as dishes coming out feeling gritty or with visible soils still on them, the filter needs to be cleaned. Remove and rinse filters under a stream of water until the debris is removed. If there are also calcium deposits or stuck-on food debris, use a soft brush to scrub this away. Scouring pads or wire brushes will damage the filter and should not be used. Replace the filters when cleaned and run a regular wash cycle. The odor should disappear once the filters are cleaned.