Scary smells emanating from your dishwasher this Halloween?

The most likely cause of the malodor is often the dishwasher itself. You can remove the funk with regular dishwasher maintenance.

It may sound counterintuitive, but there are a lot of places on a dishwasher water never sees, as well as some filters to be removed and cleaned.

To begin the cleaning process, start with the spinning arms. In some machines, the arms remove rather easily, but in others, you will have to use a ratchet wrench.

The spinning arms spin in circles and expel hot water through holes located around the exterior. The real trick is finding the best way to get the gunk and debris out of the holes.

First, soak the arms in a bath of white vinegar to break down old dishwasher soap and scaly buildup. Use a toothpick to make sure the holes are clear.

Since the arms are already removed, you can soak them in a bath of white vinegar to clean them even more. White vinegar naturally breaks down old dishwasher soap and scaly buildup.

Remove the other holders and racks and soak in a solution of warm water and vinegar. Wipe around the edges of the door and the dishwasher grate.

Many washers have a covering on the bottom called the “coarse filter,” meant to catch big particles that could get stuck in your washer’s drain. Homeowners have reported everything from broken glass to popsicle sticks, batteries and cat toys.

Take some time to reach down the drain as well. It might be a little gross, but it’s a good place for stray debris to hide or create blockages.

Many units also have removable fine filters made from a mesh plastic material located near the bottom. Some you can simply squeeze and pull out, but most require a screwdriver – too often, with the wonderfully hard-to-find star bit.

Put a cloth over the drain and disassemble the filter. Using a soft toothbrush, wash the parts with a baking soda paste or warm, soapy water. Reassemble and replace. Now, rinse and return the soaked racks to the machine to the machine.

Lastly, run the dishwasher empty, except for a two-cup container of vinegar. A miracle cleaner and natural remover of hard water and scum, vinegar should get the insides all clean and shiny. Some experts suggest running ANOTHER empty load, replacing the vinegar with a sprinkling of baking soda.

Finish by cleaning and polishing the front, sides and buttons on the panel. Clean and polish the exterior, sides, and all buttons on the panel.

You’re all finished, and your dishwasher should smell better than ever!