My dishwasher doesn't get my dishes clean and has a perculiar odor. How do I correct this?
Answers:
Try running an empty load with vinegar and baking soda. Fill the soap container with the baking soda and put a cup of vinegar in the bottom of the unit. Sometimes there is a build up on the walls of the washer caused by grease and debris. You might also check to see whether there is food particles built up on the filter. Mine is is the bottom of the washer and I have to remove the bottom rack to access it. A lot of really gross stuff can accumulate down there and it smells awful.
Other answers:
You probably should get a new one.
You probably should get a new one.
Either get a new one or have a repair man come and look at it.
Ask her to take a bath and wash the dishes again. If that doesn't work, you'll just have to let her go.
It could be you have some blockage in the drain. Remove the plastic pieces carefully at the bottom of the dishwasher. Remove any food that's stuck there. Then run your dishwasher with no dishes in it, but add bleach to the soap containers or to the bottom of the washer. If the odor is still there, I'd recommend talking to the closest Sears. They can give you great advice.
How hot is the water you use? Sometimes people turn down the temperature on the water heater and this may be a reason -- the water isn't getting hot enough to clean your dishes. Also, is the water in your area soft or hard? Makes a difference too. Might not be the dishwasher, but just the temperature of the water ... use a product that is sold locally for the condition of your water.
Buy some boric acid from a pool supply store. Then try running the dishwasher with some of this in it. Remove any dishes and maybe even the racks before you begin.
You may want to run the dishwasher a few times before placing any dishes back in it, just to be on the safe side.