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12 dishwasher cycles explained

Dishwashing cycles use different temperatures, times and energy to offer the appropriate clean for your dishes. Deciding on which dishwasher cycle to use depends on what you’re washing and how dirty the load is. For example, a normal cycle should be your go-to for lighter, day-to-day messes, while a sensor cycle can help you get the right clean for any load.

Keep in mind that cycle availability, water and energy usage vary across dishwashers, so be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations. Read on to learn more and find the dishwasher cycle that fits your cleaning needs.

Dirty dishes being washed in a dishwasher

Dishwasher wash cycles and settings

Many dishwashers today are equipped with a range of cycles and settings designed to handle everything from everyday dishes to heavily soiled cookware. Understanding how these cycles work can help you choose the best option for each load, whether you're in a hurry or washing delicate items.

Below, explore some common dishwasher cycles and specialty settings that may be available on select dishwasher models.

Boost Cycle

Skip scrubbing and pre-rinsing

The Boost Cycle uses more water, time and heat to target tough messes that need a little extra effort

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1. Normal cycle

A normal cycle can be used to wash and dry most everyday dishes without heavy soil. It cleans average amounts of leftover mess without using extra water, heat or extended time to get the job done.

Estimated wash and heated dry time: 2:43 to 3:09

2. Quick wash cycle

Using more water, energy and heat for fast results, a quick wash cycle, sometimes called a 1-Hour Wash on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, can be completed in around an hour depending on your dishwasher model. This is a good choice for quickly cleaning up a load of lightly soiled plates, bowls or other essentials you need in a hurry.

Estimated wash and heated dry time: 1:33 to 1:48

3. Sensor cycle

Sensor cycles often automatically select the right dishwasher wash and dry settings for your load, depending on temperature, soil level and load size, using only the amount of water and energy needed. It’s a good option for loads with mixed items, varying levels of soil or just about any combination of dishes.

Estimated wash and heated dry time: 2:23 to 3:26

Cycle tip: On average, newer dishwashers run longer cycles than most older models, but use less water and energy to get the same level of performance. Learn more about how long dishwasher cycles run and why.

4. Heavy cycle

The heavy cycle on your dishwasher, sometimes called the heavy duty or pots and pans cycle, uses extra water and higher temperatures to tackle hard-to-clean items. This is often used for heavily soiled pots, pans, casserole dishes and grimy tableware.

Learn more about how to load pots and pans in your dishwasher for optimal cleaning.

Estimated wash and heated dry time: 2:44 to 4:16

5. Prewash cycle

Prewash cycles, like the Soak & Clean Cycle on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, allow you to soak dishes with dried or baked-on food. This can help save time, since you won’t have to worry about presoaking dishes before adding them to the dishwasher.

Some dishwasher models also feature a rinse only cycle, which can be used to rinse dishes right after use to keep food from drying on before a full cycle is run.

Estimated wash and heated dry time: 6:23 to 8:07

Cleaning tip: Get the best clean for your dishes and optimize cycle performance by properly loading and positioning items in your dishwasher. Learn the best way to load a dishwasher to help you get clean dishware and cookware with every load.

6. Delicate cycle

The lower temperature of a delicate cycle, also known simply as a glass or light cycle, is best used for fine dishware, crystal or fragile items. The reduced temperature helps avoid damage from high temps or strong bursts of water knocking items over.

7. High temp cycle

Use a high-temperature wash option on your dishwasher to help cut through tough baked-on food or greasy residue on your dishes. This is accomplished by raising the main wash temperature to a minimum of 130°F. This higher temperature helps improve wash and dry performance when paired with the use of rinse aid.

8. Sanitize cycle

Some dishwashers feature a sanitize cycle, or Sani Rinse, on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, which raises the main wash and rinse temperature to sanitize dishes and glassware. Learn more about the dishwasher sanitize setting.

9. Delay start cycle

The delay start setting allows you to postpone the start of a wash cycle—ideal for running the dishwasher during off-peak hours. For example, select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers allow you to delay the start of a cycle by up to 24 hours, so your dishes are clean and dry right when you need them.

10. Heated and air dry cycle

Some dishwashers use a combination of heated drying and fresh air circulation to help remove moisture at the end of the cycle. For example, the Maximum Heat Dry Option on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers uses heat pulses to raise the final rinse temperature, then the Auto Open Air Dry releases remaining condensation on the dishes, helping deliver optimum drying results.

11. Air dry door release

Certain dishwashers automatically open the door after the drying cycle to help release steam and draw in fresh air. For instance, on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, Auto Open Air Dry automatically opens the dishwasher door at the end of the drying cycle to let fresh air in and moisture out. So you can unload meal-ready dry dishes, even plastics, straight to the table.

12. Quick normal cycle

Some dishwashers offer a faster version of the traditional normal cycle, designed to clean a full load of everyday dishes in less time. The 90 Minute Normal Cycle from Whirlpool brand can cut wash time by up to an hour¹, and cleans a full load in just 90 minutes.

Selection tip: Dishwasher options can sometimes be added to certain cycles to further customize cleaning. Keep in mind that adding options may increase the cycle time or energy use. Explore select Whirlpool^® Dishwasher models that feature options like 1-24 Hour Delay Start, High Temperature Wash Option, Heated Dry Option and Sani Rinse Option.

1-Hour Wash Cycle

Clean dishes in half the time

Whirlpool^® Dishwashers with the 1-Hour Wash Cycle get plates, pans and glasses taken care of in just an hour

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Shop Whirlpool^® Dishwashers

Whirlpool^® Dishwashers deliver powerful cleaning and drying with features that help simplify cleanup after every meal. Select Whirlpool^® models, feature Total Coverage Wash Action which targets corner to corner cleaning on all racks, including Whirlpool brand’s largest capacity 3rd Rack equipped with 13 spray jets, which means dishes come out clean the first time.²

Dishwasher drying options

Choosing the right drying option can help ensure your dishes come out cabinet-ready—no towel drying required. Whether you're focused on speed, energy efficiency or spotless results, dishwashers typically have drying settings to help meet your needs. Below, explore some of the most common dishwasher drying options found across select models and how they work.

Heated dry

Heated drying options on dishwashers typically use a heating element to generate hot air that is then circulated around your dishes to quickly evaporate water and help speed up the drying process. Keep in mind that choosing this option can add around 30 minutes to the length of the cycle, depending on your dishwasher model.

Extended dry

The Extended Dry Option on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers extends your dry cycle about 30 minutes³ to help elevate drying performance for any cycle. This option, with the use of rinse aid, might provide better drying performance and help reduce those pesky water spots on your glassware or dishes.

Tips for choosing the right dishwasher cycles and settings

Choosing the right dishwasher cycle or option can help you get the clean you need. Whether you're washing a full load of everyday dishes or tackling baked-on messes, the right setting matters. Use these tips to help make the most of your dishwasher's features.

Consider the soil level. For heavy, baked-on messes, use the heavy or extended soak cycle. These cycles typically apply higher temperatures and longer wash times to clean hard-to-remove residue on items like pots, pans, casseroles and tableware.
Match the cycle to the dish type. Use delicate or quick wash cycles for lightly soiled dishes or fragile glassware.
Use sensor cycles for mixed loads. Sensor cycles like the Intelligent Sensor Cycle on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, automatically gets the right wash and dry settings for each load with two sensors that measure temperature and soil level during prewash and the wash cycle.
Think about timing needs. Short on time? Clean dishes fast with a Quick Wash Cycle on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, that thoroughly takes care of plates and glasses when you need them done in a hurry.
Maximize energy efficiency. Shorter cycles often use less energy compared to longer, more intensive settings.
Use delay start wisely. With select dishwashers, you can delay the start of the cycle up to 24 hours. This is especially useful if you want to run the cycle during off-peak hours or have clean dishes ready when you return home.
Improve drying performance. For optimal drying, use a rinse aid with a specific drying setting, such as the Extended Dry Option.
Avoid water spots and damage. Review your dishwasher's manual to help ensure you're loading dishes properly. Using the right detergent with the correct water conditions can help protect your glassware.

Built-In Dishwashers
Control panel stays out of sight for a streamlined look and feel

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Whirlpool^® Dishwashers offer features designed to help simplify cleanup. With options on select models like Total Coverage Wash Action, Intelligent Sensor Cycle and the Self-Cleaning Filtration System, you can finish meal cleanup and get back to what matters most. Explore Whirlpool^® Built-In Dishwashers with front controls, sleek hidden-control designs and large capacity models that fit your kitchen and your lifestyle.