Patent ID: 8512477

Claim:
A method for operating a dishwasher, which comprises the following steps: providing at least two spray devices including a lowermost spray device and an uppermost spray device; dividing a time period of a dishwashing-program duration into a multiplicity of sub-units of time of different lengths based on a dishwashing-program setting selected by a user; dividing each of the sub-units of time into at least first and second time sections based on the dishwashing-program setting, the length of the first and second time sections being dependent on a condition of an item to be cleaned which is indicated by the dishwashing-program setting; passing a flow of dishwashing liquid through all of the spray devices during the first time section; and immediately following the first time section, passing a flow of dishwashing liquid through only the lowermost spray device or the uppermost spray device during the second time section.