Guide to 12 dishwasher cycles

A normal cycle is for washing and drying most everyday dishes that aren’t heavily soiled. It is capable of cleaning average amounts of leftover mess without using extra water, heat or extended time.

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

This cycle delivers fast results by using more water, heat and energy. A quick wash cycle, also known as a 1-Hour Wash on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, completes in roughly an hour depending on the dishwasher model. This is a good option if you need to clean a load of lightly soiled plates, bowls or other essentials quickly.

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

Typically, sensor cycles automatically select the right wash and dry settings for a load, depending on temperature, soil level and load size, while using only the required amount of water and energy. Consider this cycle for loads with mixed items, varying levels of soil or most combinations of dishes. 

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

Your dishwasher’s heavy cycle, also referred to as the heavy-duty or pots and pans cycle, uses additional water and higher temperatures to combat hard-to-clean items. This is a common choice for heavily soiled pots, pans and casserole dishes and grimy tableware.

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

Prewash cycles, including the Soak & Clean Cycle on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, let you soak dishes with baked-on or dried food. This can be a real time-saver, since you won’t have to worry about presoaking dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

Certain models also feature a rinse-only cycle, designed to rinse dishes right after use to prevent food from drying on before you run a full load.

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

The lower temperature of a delicate cycle, also called a glass or light cycle, is for fine dishware, crystal or fragile items. The reduced temperature lowers the likelihood that damage will occur from high temps or water knocking over items due to strong bursts of water.

Use a high-temperature wash option to help cut through stubborn baked-on food or greasy residue on dishes. This is accomplished by raising the main wash temperature to at least 130°F. When paired with a rinse aid, this higher temperature helps improve wash and dry performance.

Certain models have a sanitize cycle, or Sani Rinse on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, which raises the main wash and rinse temperature to sanitize items, like dishes and glassware. Explore the dishwasher sanitize setting.

This setting allows you to postpone when a wash cycle starts, making it ideal for running the dishwasher during off-peak hours or while you’re at work. 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 when needed.

Some dishwashers employ a combination of heated drying and fresh air circulation to help remove moisture when a cycle has ended. There’s the Maximum Heat Dry Option on select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, which uses heat pulses to increase the final rinse temperature, followed by the Auto Open Air Dry to release remaining condensation on the dishes, achieving an optimal level of dry.

Certain dishwashers automatically open the door once the drying cycle is complete to help release steam and draw in fresh air. 

On select Whirlpool^® Dishwashers, Auto Open Air Dry automatically opens the dishwasher door after the drying cycle to let in fresh air and so that moisture can escape. This lets you unload dry dishes, even plastics, and set them right on the table or in the cabinet for storage.

Some dishwashers provide a faster version of the traditional normal cycle to clean a full load 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 only 90 minutes.

Heated drying options typically employ a heating element to generate hot air that circulates dishes to quickly evaporate water while also helping to speed up the drying process. Choosing this option does add roughly 30 minutes to the cycle, depending on your model.

The Extended Dry Option on select Whirlpool^® models extends your dry cycle by roughly 30 minutes3 to help provide better drying performance for any cycle. With the use of a rinse aid, this option may deliver increased drying performance and help reduce those stubborn water spots on your glassware or dishes.