Dishwasher symbols and settings.

What do those dishwasher symbols mean?

Getting the most out of your dishwasher is easy once you understand the most common symbols and settings. Our dishwasher symbols guide helps you quickly understand the basics, and discover dishwasher functions that save you time.

All Bosch dishwasher features are uniquely designed to offer peace of mind. From our energy-saving PerfectDry feature to the TimeLight function on our built-in models that lets you know the dishwasher is running without opening the door.

Find here more about Bosch dishwashers

Dishwasher control panel with various buttons and settings, including SuperSilence mode.

Basic dishwasher symbols and tableware symbols.

What is the symbol for dishwasher safe? Spoiler alert: there's not just one! We've compiled some helpful hints and examples below.

Dishwasher safe symbol and dishwasher proof symbol.

Example of a dishwasher safe symbol: water falling onto a plate and glass.

Dishwasher safe symbol: two plates in a dishwasher basket with a row of droplets above.

Dishwasher proof symbol: water jet and 500 to indicate 500 cycles.

There's no universal definition or symbol for "dishwasher safe." While some items should only be washed by hand, this symbol means that an item can go in the dishwasher. Its use is based on manufacturer recommendations and experience.

The symbol for dishwasher safe usually shows some combination of plates or glasses in dishwasher baskets. Here's another example of a dishwasher safe symbol.

The number indicates how many dishwasher cycles an item can withstand without damage.

The higher the number, the more robust the item.

Good to know:

"Dishwasher safe" doesn't rule out long-term damage such as discolouring to your tableware or cookware from dishwashing.

Good to know:

Your user manual contains tips on what's dishwasher safe and what's not.

Good to know:

This symbol mostly appears on premium or professional-quality items.

Food safe symbol.

The international symbol for food safe materials is a stylised fork and wine glass. Crockery, cutlery and utensils that carry the symbol do not release any harmful substances into food.

Must appear on material or packaging as a general rule.
If product is too small: can also be displayed close by.
If clearly intended for food use (e.g. as packaging): does not need to appear.

Dishwasher care symbols.

When your dishwasher displays one of these three symbols, it needs your attention. Learn what to do when you see them.

Rinse aid, dishwasher salt symbol, dishwasher tap symbol.

Rinse aid refill symbol: a sun with dotted rays.

Two curved arrows that form an S – the sign that your dishwasher needs a salt refill.

Stylised faucet indicating the dishwasher tap symbol – for users it means check your water connection.

Rinse aid helps your dishes dry evenly after the rinse cycle and prevents streaks. Just fill the container and your dishwasher will do the rest.

Easy to recognize: the dishwasher salt symbol looks like an "S" for salt. When you see it, just fill up the container and your appliance will add the right amount with each rinse cycle. Salt softens hard water to protect your dishwasher and dishes from limescale deposits. If you have hard water, your dishwasher might use more salt to give your dishes the best possible care.

Your dishwasher is not getting enough water. Maybe there's a blockage, or an incorrectly mounted hose. Or maybe your tap isn't on. There could also be an issue with the electronics.

If the dishwasher tap symbol lights up:

- Check the hoses and water connection.

- If necessary, check your dishwasher manual.

- If these steps don't solve the problem, call a professional.

Good to know:

Some dishwasher tabs also contain rinse aid, but you might need more if you have hard water.

Good to know:

Don't wait until it's too late: ignore this symbol for too long, and you might need to descale your entire dishwasher.

Status indicators.

These dishwasher symbols simply let you know what's happening in your dishwasher.

They don't require any action on your part.

Brush symbol on Bosch dishwashers indicates your dishwasher is cleaning your dishes.

Brush symbolWhat is the brush symbol on your Bosch dishwasher? It simply means your machine is busy washing your dishes. There's nothing for you to do but sit back and relax until the cycle is finished.

A light shower showing dishes being rinsed.

Pre-rinse symbolThis symbol indicates a short rinse cycle before the full wash cycle. Pre-rinse is useful whenever you have dried-on food remains or dishes that have been sitting for a while.

Wavy lines indicating the dishwasher drying symbol.

Dishwasher drying symbolThis symbol lets you know your machine is currently drying your dishes as part of a normal wash cycle.

A stylised key representing the child lock function.

Child lockThe child lock protects your dishwasher from being opened by tiny hands. Deactivate it using a button combination or a long press.

Connected dishwasher symbols.

If your dishwasher is Wifi-enabled, you can connect it with the Bosch Home Connect app. Here are the two on-panel symbols all users should know.

Symbols on your smart dishwasher.

Mobile phone with a wireless connection as the Home Connect dishwasher symbol.

Home Connect symbolYour pots, pans, dishes and glassware have different dishwashing needs – sometimes that's higher temperatures, other times it's a longer wash. With the Bosch Home Connect app, simply tell your dishwasher what's in the load and it will work out the perfect programme.

Favourite symbolSave your go-to programmes as favourites in the app – and launch them on the go, or from the comfort of your sofa.

Dishwasher programmes.

Get a quick overview of the Bosch dishwasher symbols that launch our standard programmes here.

Bosch dishwasher programmes.

Eco 50 degrees, black text on white background, simple and minimalist design.

Eco 50° The economy cycle is a longer programme which uses less water and electricity.

The image displays the word "Auto" in large, bold black text against a plain white background.

Auto 45° - 65°The auto cycle is ideal for your everyday dishwashing needs.

Timer icon with the text "1h" indicating a one-hour time period.

1h programmeWash and dry in just one hour with our 1h programme.

Clock, coffee cup, and wine glass icons representing time management and work-life balance.

Express 45° Choose this express programme to wash and dry your cups and glasses quickly – the cooler water temperature is just right for your delicate glassware.

Clock icon with a bowl symbol, representing time for meal or food preparation.

Express 60°Slightly hotter than our quick wash programme for glasses, our Express 60° programme gets your tableware clean when you need it fast.

Wine glass icon with the number 40 degrees.

Glass 40°The Glass 40° programme adjusts the temperature and extends the drying period to gently dry sensitive glass items such as high-quality crystal, leaving a brilliant shine.

Cooking pot icon with text "70°" indicating temperature or angle.

Intensive 70°This heavy-duty programme uses high temperatures and increased spray pressure. Ideal for dishes with very stubborn, burned or dried-on food remains.

Machine CareDishwashers need care, too. Create a regular care routine for yours with our machine care programme. When used with machine cleaning detergent, it will deep-clean your appliance and reduce the development of limescale, grease and odours.

Additional dishwasher options.

Bosch dishwasher options can be added to your programmes to give you faster, more hygienic, more sparkling, or drier results. Or choose to wash a half load to save precious resources.

Bosch dishwasher options.

A stopwatch with two arrows: the SpeedPerfect dishwasher setting from Bosch.

SpeedPerfectWant to speed up a cycle? Combine your preferred programme* with the SpeedPerfect option and the run time will be shortened by up to 66%. (*Does not apply to pre-rinse or express programmes.)

A stopwatch with three arrows: the SpeedPerfect+ dishwasher setting from Bosch.

SpeedPerfect+Need to get beautifully sparkling dishes even faster? Combine your preferred programme* with the SpeedPerfect Plus option and the cycle will be reduced by up to 75%, depending on the rinse programme. (*Does not apply to pre-rinse or express programmes.)

Hygiene During your dishwasher's final rinse, sustained temperatures of up to 70 °C ensure strong anti-bacterial performance. Ideal for households with small children or allergy sufferers. Good to know: the Hygiene option is not suitable for sterilising baby bottles.

Hygiene+ Activate the Hygiene Plus function for an extra-hot final rinse that ensures superior antibacterial performance. Especially suitable for cleaning chopping boards or baby bottles.

Two washing intensities: light on top, heavy-duty below to represent the IntensiveZone dishwasher setting from Bosch.

IntensiveZoneThe IntensiveZone option, which can be added to many programmes, ensures a higher spray pressure and increases the temperature in the lower basket. Great for cleaning for heavily soiled pots and pans. More delicate items can be placed in the upper basket at the same time.

Sparkling crystal to represent the shine and dry dishwasher setting.

Shine & DryBy adding more water during the rinse cycle and extending the drying phase, this option prevents water marks and improves drying results. Rinse aid is recommended for this function.

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Extra DryActivating the Extra Dry option gives your dishes an extra-thorough dry using higher temperatures during the rinse cycle and a longer drying phase – with just one push of a button.

Half LoadIf you have only a few items to wash (e.g. glasses, cups, plates), you can switch to "half load" to save time.

Dishwasher symbol for timer: a clock symbol with the option to finish the cycle in three, six or nine hours.

TimerChoose whether your cycle should finish in 3, 6 or 9 hours.

Your frequently asked dishwasher questions, answered.

Do I still have to dry some items by hand?Not with PerfectDry. Bosch's unique PerfectDry feature uses natural Zeolith minerals to dry everything to perfection, including pans, glasses and even plastic items. All your items – perfectly dry and cupboard ready.

Dishwasher control panel with various settings and digital display showing time.

How can I wash dishes quickly?Advanced options like SpeedPerfect or SpeedPerfect Plus can wash and dry a full load of dishes quickly and with great results by reducing rinse times by up to 66%. Select these options whenever you need clean dishes fast.

Person reading on sofa while a Bosch dishwasher runs quietly in the background.

How can I make my dishwasher quieter?Keeping the house quiet can sometimes be difficult, but our dishwashers with Silent PowerDrive are designed to deliver smooth, quiet operation thanks to their advanced motor design. If noise levels are important, especially in open kitchens or when entertaining, use our special SuperSilence Plus programme to reduce noise levels to just 38 dB(A).

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