Dishwashers make light work of all your dirty plates, mugs, and cutlery. Not only do they save you time by not having to wash things up by hand — they use less water too! But how long does a dishwasher take to clean all your crockery and kitchen utensils? And what do all those different cycles do?
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common settings on your dishwasher and their average timings. And if you’re wondering why your machine’s taking longer than usual, we’ve got loads of tips on how to speed up your dishwasher and troubleshoot any issues it has.
Average dishwasher cycle run times
Most dishwasher cycles can run from anywhere between 30 minutes to 4 hours. But this can depend on a few things like which wash cycle you've selected, how dirty your dishes are, and the age and state of your dishwasher.
Before we dig into the factors that might be affecting your dishwasher's run time, here's a quick look at the average times for common dishwasher cycles and what they're used for:
Quick wash (30 - 60 minutes): This short cycle is best for cleaning glasses you've just used, or for giving dishes and bowls you've already rinsed a quick once over.
Normal wash (1.5 - 2.5 hours): A standard program that'll get a full dishwasher load of dirty plates, cups, and silverware looking nice and shiny.
Heavy wash (2.5 - 4 hours): This is the cycle you'll want to use when elbow grease won't cut it. Got a baking tray covered in thick grease? Or a baking dish plastered with caked-on cheese? A heavy wash should get rid of all that stubborn stuff.
Delicate wash (2 - 3 hours): If you need to get those expensive wine glasses or fine bits of china washed without worry, rely on your dishwasher's delicate cycle. It'll use cooler water and less pressure to clean them thoroughly without causing damage.
Eco wash (2.5 - 3.5 hours): Some dishwashers offer this energy-saving program that uses less water and electricity to cut down your bill. But don't fret, it'll still get everything clean!
Auto/sensor wash (variable): This is a clever setting you'll find on loads of modern dishwashers, which automatically detects when your bowls, plates and mugs are completely clean. This means the dishwasher cycle time will vary depending on how dirty your plates and such were before.
It's worth saying that if you've just fired up your new dishwasher, then its first cycle will probably run for a good while. Don't worry though, it's likely just calibrating its sensors to make sure that future washes are timed to perfection.
Did you know?
Most older dishwashers could get your kitchenware clean in less time than newer dishwashers. Despite this, modern machines are actually more energy efficient thanks to advancements in tech (like built-in sensors) and tweaks to energy and water guidelines — which mean that appliances have to use less of both. It seems counter-intuitive, but dishwashers now run a bit longer to make sure everything's spotless — even with less water.
Factors affecting dishwasher efficiency
There could be a few things making your dishwasher run longer than you’d like. Putting in plates and bowls that are really dirty can make your dishwasher's sensors default to a longer cycle to ensure that they're cleaned thoroughly enough.
Another reason why your dishwasher could be slowing down is due to hard water, limescale or mineral build-up. If this starts covering the sensors, it can trick them into thinking that everything inside your dishwasher is much dirtier than they are — prolonging the cycle.
Tips for efficient dishwasher use
There are a few things you can do to help your dishwasher work on time:
Scrape off food scraps first: If you're a fan of the auto wash cycle in particular, then make sure to get as much leftover food off your plates and bowls before putting them in your dishwasher. That way, the sensors inside your machine will automatically shorten the cycle as your dishwasher will have less work to do.
Use the shortest cycle if you can: If your dishes aren't that dirty, then a quick wash might do the trick. And remember, many newer machines have an 'eco' setting that uses less water and energy than regular cycles too.
Use rinse aid: This is a detergent you can pour into your dishwasher that helps prevent water droplets forming on your glasses and dishes. Not only does it make everything sparkle, but it helps everything dry a bit faster too.
Turn off the 'heated dry' option: If your dishwasher dries your dishes as part of a cycle, then switch this off if you can — and/or just open the door and let your dishes air-dry instead.
Try dishwasher cleaning tablets: If there are mineral build-ups inside your dishwasher and on its sensors, there are loads of dishwasher accessories out there that can break these down and help you maintain a healthy machine that runs on time.
Troubleshooting common dishwasher issues
If you reckon there's something a bit more serious going on with your dishwasher, try some of these possible remedies to get it back to its best:
Clear the filter: A clogged or dirty drain filter can affect your machine's water flow and performance, so take it out and remove any food scraps that are stuck.
Scrub arms and water spray nozzles: If these have mineral build-ups that those anti-limescale tablets can't fight, try scrubbing them with some dish soap instead. This will make sure that water can circulate freely inside.
Clean your dishwasher regularly: Just giving the inside of your dishwasher a good clean every once in a while can help extend its life and make it more efficient. But make sure to only use a dishwasher-safe cleaner to remove those food particles, greasy spots and hard water deposits (we’ve got some great tips on how to clean a dishwasher).
Contact a dishwasher technician: If your dishwasher is still running longer than it should be, then it might be best to contact a professional who can help with diagnosing and fixing a problem with your machine. If your dishwasher is still within a retailer or brand warranty, then contact your seller or the company instead.
Currys dishwasher repairs
That's right, we can help with your dishwasher woes! Whether it's related to your machine running long or any other issue like a leak, vibration, or unusual noise — our dishwasher repairs experts can lend a helping hand.
FAQs
How long is a dishwashing cycle?
A typical dishwasher cycle runs for around 2 hours. But it can depend on several factors like how dirty your dishes are, the wash cycle you've selected, and the efficiency of your dishwasher.
Is it OK to run my dishwasher every night?
There's quite a lot of debate over whether every night is the best time to use your dishwasher — even when it's not fully loaded. This is because night-time tends to be off-peak hours for energy companies, so it can cost you a little less to run your dishwasher into the small hours.
But it makes much more sense to just wait until you have a full load of plates, bowls, glasses and kitchen utensils to clean before running a dishwasher cycle. We also wouldn't recommend putting your dishwasher on overnight while sleeping as it can be a fire hazard. It’s always best to be around when your dishwasher is on.
Is one hour enough for a dishwasher to clean properly?
One hour might not be enough time for a dishwasher to clean dishes and the like properly — especially if they’re heavily soiled with leftover food or sauces. It's best to run a dishwasher on a longer cycle that takes at least a couple of hours to make sure everything's properly cleaned.
How long do dishwashers last?
This can depend on how much you use your dishwasher and how well you maintain it over time. But you’ll find that most dishwashers can last anywhere between 8-12 years, with some of the best dishwashers lasting longer.
How much does it cost to run a dishwasher?
According to Ideal Home, these are the running costs of two types of dishwashers (B-rated and F-rated) per year — based on an average electricity cost of 29p per kWh:
B-rated full-sized dishwasher (with an average annual energy consumption of 214 kWh): £62.06 per year.
F-rated full-sized dishwasher (with an average annual energy consumption of 266 kWh): £77.14 to run per year.
Any more questions?
We hope you’re feeling loads better about using your dishwasher. But if you think your machine is on the way out, we’ve got a piece on the 4 signs for when it’s time to replace your dishwasher.
And if you want a new one, make sure to check out our range of freestanding dishwashers, integrated dishwashers, and space-saving slimline dishwashers.
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