Dishwasher Guide - How It Works
How your Dishwasher functions step by step
A dishwasher uses two rotating arms to spray water and detergent over the dishes and utensils before pumping away the dirty water and rinsing the dishes clean.
| 1 |
Detergent is placed in the soap dispenser. The timer and selector switches on the door set the washing programme by controlling the timing, temperature and sequence of events. |
| 2 |
A switch starts the washer as soon as the door is closed and stops the machine at any point in the washing cycle if the door is opened. |
| 3 |
Hot water enters through the inlet valve and passes through a water softener to the sump. Here it mixes with the detergent, which falls into the machine when a catch releases the cover of the soap dispenser. |
| 4 |
An electric pump draws the water through a strainer, over a heating element and supplies it under pressure to the spray arms. A thermostat controls the element to maintain the correct washing temperature. |
| 5 |
The water sprays from angled nozzles in the spray arms, turning them in the same way as a garden sprinkler. When the wash cycle ends, the dirty water is pumped away from the sump. |
| 6 |
The timer activates a cool or cold rinse and then a second heated rinse. Rinse-aid is released from the rinse-aid dispenser on the second rinse to help to prevent streaks and marks being left during the drying process. |
| 7 |
The hot rinsing water is pumped away leaving very hot dishes that dry quickly. |
| 8 |
The dishwasher regenerates the water softener by rinsing it with salt solution delivered from the salt container. |