Patent ID: 7971301

Claim:
A control method for a wash cycle, including a washing operation and a rinsing operation of a washing machine, the control method comprising: sensing a quantity of clothes; setting a first washing pattern based on the quantity of clothes; performing a first washing operation, during which a detergent and a portion of water for the washing operation is supplied into a tub, according to the set first washing pattern, calculating a quantity of a detergent which is supplied into the tub, and resetting the washing pattern to a second washing pattern based on the calculated quantity of the detergent; performing a second washing operation, during which a residual portion of water for the washing operation is supplied into the tub, according to the second washing pattern, recalculating the quantity of the detergent dissolved in water supplied into the tub, and resetting the washing pattern to a third washing pattern based on the recalculated quantity of the detergent; performing the rinsing operation according to the third washing pattern; and measuring a conductivity and a temperature of the water during the rinsing operation, and calculating and storing a hardness of the water based on the measured conductivity and temperature of the water for a next operation of the washing machine.