The Secret Life of Your Dishwasher

What Goes On Inside Your Dishwasher

1. When you turn on the dishwasher, a basin at the bottom of the machine fills with water (usually it’s cold water, but with some models, it’s hot).
    
2. Heating elements warm the water to anywhere between 105 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
    
3. The detergent dispenser opens, sending soap to mix with the water.
    
4. A pump propels the soapy water through the spray arms with enough force to make the arms spin.
    
5. The soapy water sloshes around for about 30 minutes (in a normal cycle).
    
6. The pump drains the dirty water through the pipes under the sink.
    
7. The basin fills with fresh water (no soap this time), which the pump sprays and resprays, rinsing the dishes.
    
8. The heating elements (the same ones that heated the water) turn on unless you choose to air-dry.
    
9. You open the door to clean, dry dishes.