Patent ID: 8425689

Claim:
A method of operating a dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving utensils for washing, the method comprising: executing a cycle of operation having at least three sequential treating phases; supplying liquid to the treating chamber for each of the treating phases; removing a portion of the liquid from at least two of the treating phases; and storing the removed portions of liquid in a common reuse tank to mix the removed portions for subsequent use in another of the sequential treating phases or in another cycle of operation; wherein the sequential treating phases include at least two wash phases and at least two rinse phases; and wherein a first wash phase includes all fresh liquid and no portion from the common reuse tank, a second wash phase includes fresh liquid and a first portion from the common reuse tank, a first rinse phase includes all fresh liquid and no portion from the common reuse tank, and a second rinse phase includes fresh liquid and a second portion from the common reuse tank with less volume than the first portion.