12 Bosch Dishwasher Cycles Explained (Plus Symbols)

Bosch dishwashers are among the most innovative and reliable dishwashers on the market, and one way they prove that is through their wash cycles. On that note, I’ll have the commonest Bosch dishwasher cycles explained.

These cycles include Rinse-Only (10 – 15 minutes), Rinse & Hold (15 minutes), Express Wash (30 minutes), Half-Load Cycle (30 – 45 minutes), Quick Wash (60 minutes), Sanitize Cycle (60 – 90 minutes), Delicate Wash (80 minutes), and Normal Wash (90 – 110 minutes).

Other cycles that we’ll also talk about are Auto (95 – 135 minutes), Heavy Wash (115 – 135 minutes), Eco-Cycle (2 hours 20 minutes), and Delay Wash (up to 24 hours).

Once you learn to use these cycles, you’ll enjoy using your Bosch dishwasher more. I’ll also talk about add-on programs, which you can pair with the above processes or run independently, and symbols and their meaning.

In that case, you’ll be able to know what your dishwasher is saying through the symbols it displays. Let’s dive in!

In a rush? Here’s a quick overview of the most typical Bosch dishwasher cycles

Common Bosch Dishwasher Cycles and Options Explained!

–	Cycle Type	Cycle Description	Average Cycle Time
1.	Rinse-Only	Best for pre-washing dishes before a complete cycle	10 – 15 minutes
2.	Rinse & hold	Best for pre-washing dishes before a full cycle	15 minutes
3.	Express Wash	Best for lightly soiled and delicate dishes and glasses	30 minutes
4.	Half-Load Cycle	Best for washing just a few dishes (up to ½ full capacity)	30 – 45 minutes
5.	Quick Wash	Best for moderately-soiled utensils or cutlery, those that only need an hour to clean	60 minutes
6.	Sanitize Cycle	Best for highly contaminated dishes	60 – 90 minutes
7.	Delicate Wash	Best for delicate and heat-sensitive glassware	80 minutes
8.	Normal Wash	Best for normally soiled dishes (those without baked-on residues)	90 – 110 minutes
9.	Auto	Allows the dishwasher to self-adjust the length of time	95 – 135 minutes
10.	Heavy Wash	Best for heavily soiled and greased items such as pens and pots	115 – 135 minutes
11.	Eco-Cycle	Best for saving on energy cost	2 hours 20 minutes
12.	Delay Wash	Delays the washer from starting immediately	Up to 24 hours

What Are the Cycles of a Bosch Dishwasher?

Below are 12 typical Bosch dishwasher cycles and their interpretation:

1. Rinse-Only (10 – 15 minutes)

The Rinse-Only cycle is essentially a rinse cycle and not a wash cycle. So, it’s not intended to clean your dishes thoroughly but to reduce the dirt to allow you to wash them later.

So, rinse the dishes instead of piling them while soiled. The hot water cycle generally takes 10 – 15 minutes.

2. Rinse & Hold (15 Minutes)

The Rinse and Hold cycle also does not run a full wash. Instead, it rinses the dishes to prevent food from hardening on the dishes as you wait for the dishwasher to fill up before you can run a complete cycle. Rinse & Hold generally takes 15 minutes.

3. Express Wash (30 minutes)

The Express Wash is a quick cycle that allows you to do your dishes within half an hour. This wash cycle is best for items that don’t require any deep cleaning. Simply put, you should use it on lightly soiled items.

Express Wash saves energy and time. You can use it on delicate and valuable cutlery since it’s gentle.

4. Half Load Cycle (30 –45 Minutes)

The Half Load Cycle, as the name suggests, allows you to load your Bosch dishwasher halfway. That is handy when you only have a few dishes to wash and can’t wait until the dishwasher is full. This cycle takes 30 – 45 minutes, saving time, energy (power), and water.

5. Quick Wash/1-Hour Wash (60 minutes)

The Quick Wash, or 1-Hour Wash, is a wash cycle that only lasts 60 minutes. This cycle is best when you are in a hurry, and the dishes aren’t too dirty.

So, instead of waiting for 90 minutes or so for a Normal Cycle to run, you can start the Quick Wash and only wait for an hour. This cycle is best for moderately soiled utensils and cutlery.

6. Sanitize Cycle (60 – 90 minutes)

The Sanitize Cycle does what the name suggests: to Sanitize. This cycle helps remove potentially harmful bacteria from the dishes using highly heated water (at 151⁰F).

You can count on the cycle to kill up to 99.9% of potential microbes on the dishes. Remember to run the Sanitize Cycle before a normal wash cycle to avoid contaminating the tableware during a regular wash.

7. Delicate Wash (80 Minutes)

Delicate Wash, as the name suggests, is only best for the most peaceful, especially heat-sensitive dishes. That includes delicate glassware and crystals.

This wash cycle only takes 80 minutes and runs at a low temperature to thoroughly wash fragile glass utensils and protect them from potential heat damage.

8. Normal Wash (90 – 110 minutes)

Normal Wash is best for normally soiled items (those without dried food residues). Most people use Normal Wash more often than any other because of its ability to clean various dishes.

On average, a Normal wash takes 90 – 110 minutes. Usually, the less soiled the dishes are, the shorter the Normal Wash Cycle.

9. Auto/Autosense (95 – 135 Minutes)

The Auto Wash or Autosense cycle allows the dishwasher to self-adjust the water temperature and length of time depending on how dirty the dishes are.

It’s an automatic cycle dependent on sensors, which means you’ve no power over the cycle time. Overall, an Auto Wash Cycle can take 95 – 135 minutes to complete, again depending on the level of the dish soiling.

10. Bosch Dishwasher Heavy Cycle (115 – 135 Minutes)

The Heavy Wash is best for washing heavily soiled dishes, especially those overly greased ones, such as pans and pots. You can also use it to clean dishes with stuck food residues and burnt stains.

The cycle takes longer than a Normal Wash Cycle, about 115 – 135 minutes, depending on the dish’s dirt level.

what are the cycles of a Bosch dishwasher

11. Eco-Cycle (2 hours 20 minutes)

Dishwashers are generally heavy power users. Unless you get an energy-saving option, you’ll spend much on power.

Bosch makes its dishwasher energy efficient by adding the Eco-Cycle. This energy-saving cycle runs for 2 hours and 20 minutes, which is longer than any other. You’ll have to wait longer but save much more on power.

12. Delay Wash (up to 24 hours)

Delay Wash is technically not a wash cycle but a setting that stops the dishwasher from starting immediately. Instead, it delays the wash cycle by up to 24 hours. You can override it by manually choosing another wash cycle.

Additional Bosch Dishwasher Cycles and Program Explained!

In addition to the above cycles/programs, Bosch dishwashers also offer you these options.

Glass 40⁰– The Glass 40⁰program is best for delicate glass items. This cycle runs at a 40-degree temperature, which is glass-safe, and you can count on it to dry your glasses and leave a shine on them.

Machine Care – The Machine Care setting lets you deep clean your dishwasher and eliminate odor, grease, and limescale residues. You can use this setting regularly to care for your dishwasher.
Intensive 70⁰– The Intensive 70⁰ is a heavy-duty program that uses a high temperature (up to 70 degrees) to remove dried foods and other stubborn dirt from dishes.
Speed Perfect – The Speed Perfect setting speeds up a running wash cycle. It reduces the wash cycle’s runtime by 66%, making it possible to do your laundry in the shortest time possible.

Speed Perfect Plus – While Speed Perfect only shortens the wash cycle by 66%, Speed Perfect + does it by 75% for a much faster process.
Hygiene – The Hygiene setting gives the washer a solid antibacterial property. It runs at a high temperature of up to 70 ⁰C, which is effective against bacteria.
Hygiene Plus – Hygiene works similarly to Hygiene Cycle, only that the dishwasher is extra hot. You can use this setting when washing highly contaminated items like baby bottles and chopping boards.

Others

Intensive Zone – Intensive Zone is a high-pressure and high-temperature setting best for washing excessively soiled pans and pots in the lower basket.
Shine & Dry – Shine & Dry allows you to add more water while the dishwasher is on the rinse cycle. Additionally, it lengthens the drying time to let the dishes come out of the dishwasher dry and clean.
Extra Dry – The Extra Dry Cycle uses high temperatures and prolongs the dry phase to allow the dishes to dry.

Timer – The Timer setting allows you to time your dishwasher. You can decide how long the dishwasher should run.

Bosch Dishwasher Symbols

Now let’s talk about the symbols on your Bosch dishwasher. Here’s a table overview:

–	Symbol	Meaning	Brief Note
1.	Dishwasher-Safe Symbol	It’s safe to load the dishwasher.	A wine glass and plates or two plates means you can load dishes into your Bosch dishwasher.
2.	Tap Symbol	The dishwasher doesn’t get enough water.	Check your dishwasher water supply on the tap and clean any blockages.
3.	Dishwasher-Proof Symbol	Indicates the number of cycles the dishes can withstand	Only available on high-end Bosch dishwashers
4.	Child Lock (Key Symbol)	Active child lock	Stops the unintended operation of the dishwasher, especially by kids
5.	Favorite Symbol	Favorite program	It saves your favorite wash cycles
6.	Home Connect Symbol	The dishwasher is connected to Home Connect	Home Connect allows remote access to the dishwasher
7.	Brush Symbol	Ongoing wash cycle	Wait for the current process to finish
8.	Pre-Rinse Symbol	Brief rinse cycle	Best for dishes with dried-on foods
9.	Drying Symbol	Ongoing drying cycle	Wait for the drying phase to end
10	Rinse Aid Refill	Rinse aid status	Displays the status of Rinse Aid