Home Appliances
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 and energy.
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.
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.
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Dishwasher safe symbol (1) 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. Good to know: "dishwasher safe" doesn't rule out long-term damage such as discolouring to your tableware or cookware from dishwashing. |
Dishwasher safe symbol (2) 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. Your user manual contains tips on what's dishwasher safe and what's not. |
Dishwasher proof symbol The term "dishwasher proof" only applies to tableware and utensils certified according to the European norm EN 12875.
Pro tip: this symbol mostly appears on premium or professional-quality items. |
Food safe symbol.
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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.
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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.
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Rinse aid refill indicator 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. Pro tip: some dishwasher tabs also contain rinse aid, but you might need more if you have hard water. |
Dishwasher salt symbol 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. Don't wait until it's too late: ignore this symbol for too long, and you might need to descale your entire dishwasher. |
Dishwasher tap symbol 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:
For more tips, see our step-by-step guide: Troubleshoot water tap connection. |
Status indicators.
These dishwasher symbols simply let you know what's happening in your dishwasher. They don't require any action on your part.
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Brush symbol What 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. |
Pre-rinse symbol This 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. |
Dishwasher drying symbol This symbol lets you know your machine is currently drying your dishes as part of a normal wash cycle. |
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Child lock The 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.
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Home Connect symbol Your 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 symbol Save 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.
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Eco 50° The economy cycle is a longer programme which uses less water and electricity. |
Auto 45° - 65° The auto cycle is ideal for your everyday dishwashing needs. |
1h programme Wash and dry in just one hour with our 1h programme. |
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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. |
Express 60° Slightly hotter than our quick wash programme for glasses, our Express 60° programme gets your tableware clean when you need it fast. |
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. |
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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 Care Dishwashers 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.
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SpeedPerfect Want 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.) |
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. |
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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. |
IntensiveZone The 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. |
Shine & Dry By adding more water during the rinse cycle and extending the drying phase, this option prevents water marks and improves drying results. There's a slight increase in energy consumption and rinse aid is recommended for this function. |
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Extra Dry Activating 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 Load If you have only a few items to wash (e.g. glasses, cups, plates), you can switch to "half load" to save water, energy and time. |
Timer Choose 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.
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.
How can I save money on dishwashing?
Innovations like Bosch's LoadSensor detect when you're washing a smaller load to make sure only the necessary amount of water and electricity is used. Also, look out for machines with good energy efficiency ratings.
How can I make my dishwasher quieter?
Keeping the house quiet can sometimes be difficult, but our dishwashers with EcoSilence Drive run much smoother and quieter thanks to an energy-saving motor.
If noise levels are important, especially in open kitchens or when entertaining, use our special SuperSilence Plus programme to reduce noise levels to just 38db (A).
