Patent ID: 7904982

Claim:
A method for controlling a washing machine having a steam generator including a water supply valve for supplying water to the inside of the steam generator therethrough, and a heater for heating the water supplied through the water supply valve, the method comprising: measuring an operating time of the steam generator; determining whether the measured operating time of the steam generator exceeds a predetermined time; and controlling the water supply valve and the heater, to thereby cool the steam generator, when it is determined that the measured operating time of the steam generator exceeds the predetermined time, wherein the control of the water supply valve and the heater comprises: sensing a temperature of the steam generator, using a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor being installed on a body of the steam generator; comparing the temperature of the steam generator sensed by the temperature sensor to a reference temperature; and controlling the cooling operation of the steam generator according to the comparison result to prevent the accumulation of scale in the steam generator.