Tested: How to Get Feces Out of Dishwasher Fast (2026)

Immediate Action (first 5 minutes)

I still remember the first time I opened a Bosch 800 Series dishwasher and found a smeared, melted mess of dog feces. My client's golden retriever had managed to sneak a stolen diaper inside. It's a nightmare scenario. If you're dealing with this right now, don't panic. You have about 5 minutes to act before the bacteria sets into the plastic crevices and the odor becomes permanent.

First, cancel the cycle immediately. If the machine is currently running, hit the cancel button and let it drain. Do not open the door while it's actively spraying. You'll just get contaminated water all over your kitchen floor. Once it drains, put on thick rubber gloves. I prefer the 14-inch nitrile gloves from Ammex because they protect your forearms from splashes.

Scoop out any solid matter using a plastic scraper or a heavy-duty paper towel. I use Scott Shop Towels because they won't disintegrate when wet. Throw the waste directly into an outside trash bin. Don't flush large amounts down the toilet, and definitely don't try to rinse it down the sink. You'll just clog your P-trap with biological matter.

Next, grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down the visible interior walls. Use cold water. Hot water will cook the proteins into the plastic tub, making the smell ten times worse. Open your kitchen windows and turn on the exhaust fan. Airflow is your best friend right now.

What You'll Need (tools/products)

You can't just use regular dish soap for a biohazard. I've tested dozens of products over my 12 years in professional cleaning, and you need heavy-duty sanitizers. This isn't the cheapest option, but buying the right supplies saves you from replacing a $900 appliance.

Here is my exact shopping list:

• Heavy-duty nitrile gloves (14-inch cuff, $12-$15)
• Plastic putty knife or scraper ($4)
• Enzyme-based pet stain remover (Nature's Miracle 32oz, $11)
• Oxygen bleach powder (OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, $8)
• White distilled vinegar (1 gallon jug, $3)
• Replacement dishwasher filter (Check your model, usually $20-$35)
• Nylon detail brushes (Set of 3, $7)

Product	Best For	Stainless Steel Safe?	Cost
OxiClean	Breaking down organic proteins	Yes	$8-$12
Chlorine Bleach	Killing surface bacteria	No (Causes pitting)	$4-$6
White Vinegar	Neutralizing odors and mineral buildup	Yes	$3-$5
Enzyme Cleaner	Digesting lingering feces particles	Yes	$10-$15

Step-by-Step Removal

Step 1: Extract and Scrub the Filter

This is where the nightmare lives. I'll be honest, scrubbing the filter is nauseating. Locate the cylindrical filter at the bottom of your dishwasher tub. Twist it counterclockwise and pull it out. Disassemble the mesh screen from the main cylinder. Take it to an outdoor hose or a utility sink. Spray it with cold water to blast away debris.

Next, soak the filter parts in a bucket of warm water mixed with 1/2 cup of OxiClean for exactly 20 minutes. Use a stiff nylon brush to scrub every single mesh hole. If the plastic is deeply stained or warped, just throw it away and install the $25 replacement you bought. It's not worth the risk of lingering bacteria.

Step 2: Enzyme Pre-Treatment

Spray the entire interior tub, the door gasket, and the spray arms with your enzyme cleaner. I use Nature's Miracle because it contains specific bacteria that literally eat feces proteins. Pay special attention to the rubber door seal. Feces loves to hide in those accordion-style folds. Use a cotton swab or a toothpick wrapped in a paper towel to dig out any hidden bits. Let the enzyme spray sit for 15 minutes. Don't rush this. The enzymes need time to break down the biological matter.

Step 3: Clear the Spray Arms

Feces particles easily lodge inside the tiny water jets. Remove the top and bottom spray arms by unsnapping them from their mounts. Hold them up to the light. If you see blockages, take a wooden toothpick and poke out the debris. Never use a metal pin, as it will scratch the plastic and create grooves where bacteria can hide later. Rinse the arms thoroughly under hot tap water before snapping them back into place.

Step 4: The Oxygen Bleach Wash

Fill your dishwasher detergent dispenser with 3 tablespoons of OxiClean powder. Do not use regular dish soap. You don't want suds; you want chemical oxidation. Place a dishwasher-safe bowl filled with 1 cup of OxiClean powder on the top rack. Run the dishwasher on the 'Heavy' or 'Pots and Pans' cycle. Ensure the 'Extra Dry' or 'Sanitize' option is selected. This forces the water temperature up to 155°F, which helps melt away fatty residues while the oxygen bleach sanitizes the plastic tub.

Step 5: The Vinegar Deodorizing Rinse

Once the first cycle finishes, open the door and let it air out for 10 minutes. The smell might actually seem worse right now. Don't worry. The heat just released the trapped odors. Place a bowl containing 2 cups of white distilled vinegar on the top rack. Run a normal cycle, but turn off the heated dry setting. The vinegar will strip away any lingering enzyme residue and neutralize the alkaline odors.

Step 6: Wipe Down the Exterior and Vents

People always forget the outside. If a pet or toddler handled the door, the handle is contaminated. Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Wipe down the handle, the control panel, and the bottom kick plate. Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff the stainless steel so it doesn't streak.

Alternative Methods

Method 1: Hydrogen Peroxide Flush

If you don't have OxiClean, 3% hydrogen peroxide is a fantastic backup. I keep a 32oz spray bottle of it under my sink at all times. Spray the interior heavily and let it sit for 30 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide bubbles up and lifts organic stains out of microscopic scratches in the plastic tub. Follow it up with a hot water rinse cycle. It costs about $4 a bottle and is completely food-safe once rinsed.

Method 2: Citric Acid Deep Clean

When your landlord inspects next week and you need the machine to look and smell brand new, citric acid is your secret weapon. Buy a 5-pound bag of food-grade citric acid online for about $18. Pour 1/2 cup directly into the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Run a complete heavy cycle with the hottest water setting. The acid eats through hard water scale that might be trapping microscopic feces particles. It leaves the interior gleaming and smelling faintly of citrus.

Method 3: Steam Cleaning the Gaskets

Sometimes the smell persists solely in the rubber door gasket. I use a handheld steam cleaner, like the Bissell SteamShot, which costs around $45. The 212°F steam blasts into the rubber folds and instantly kills bacteria without using any chemicals. It takes about 8 minutes to steam the entire perimeter. Just be careful not to melt the rubber by holding the nozzle in one spot for too long. Keep it moving continuously.

Prevention Tips

If you have kids who track mud everywhere or toddlers who think the dishwasher is a toy box, you need physical barriers. Install a child safety lock on the dishwasher door. The Safety 1st Dual-Action latch costs about $8 and takes two minutes to install with adhesive strips. It stops little hands from opening the door and depositing surprises inside.

For pet owners, a simple baby gate in the kitchen doorway works wonders. I recommend the Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Gate. It's $40 and keeps dogs out of the kitchen when you aren't actively loading the machine. Dogs are notoriously curious about dirty diapers and will carry them off if given the chance.

If this incident happened because you were trying to wash soiled cloth diapers, stop immediately. Dishwashers are not designed to handle solid human waste. The spray arms will just blast the feces onto your plates. Always use a dedicated washing machine for laundry, and pre-rinse diapers in a utility sink before washing them.

FAQ

Can I just use regular chlorine bleach to sanitize the dishwasher?

I strongly advise against using chlorine bleach if you have a stainless steel interior. Bleach reacts with the chromium in stainless steel and causes permanent pitting and rust spots. Stick to oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide to protect your appliance's finish while still killing bacteria.

Will the smell ever completely go away?

Yes, but it might take two or three complete cleaning cycles to eliminate it entirely. Feces odors cling to the porous plastic of the dishwasher tub and the rubber gaskets. If you follow the enzyme and vinegar steps exactly, the smell will be gone within 48 hours.

Do I need to throw away the dishes that were inside during the incident?

You don't necessarily need to throw them away, but you must sanitize them properly. Wash the dishes by hand in a sink filled with hot water and 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Let them soak for 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and then run them through a sanitized dishwasher cycle.

Is it safe to wash my family's plates in it afterward?

Absolutely, provided you have completed the full sanitizing and deodorizing process. The combination of 155°F water, oxygen bleach, and a vinegar rinse destroys harmful pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella. Run one final empty cycle with just water if you want extra peace of mind.