Steam cleaning in a dishwasher

Abstract

A preliminary steaming step is employed before a conventional dishwashing operation. The preliminary steaming step is conducted for 15-20 minutes, at a temperature of 100-150° C. and a pressure of 15 psi.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for operating a dishwasher comprising: 
 (a) loading a dishwasher with items in need of washing;    (b) closing said loaded dishwasher;    (c) steam cleaning said items in a water saturated atmosphere at a pressure of equal to or greater than about 15 psi, a temperature of equal to or greater than about 100° C., a time of equal to or greater than about 15 minutes; and    (d) after said steaming, washing said items in said dishwasher with soap and water to clean said items.    
     
     
         2 . In a method for operating a dishwasher where items in a closed dishwasher are washed with soap and water and subsequently dried, the improvement comprising steaming items in a closed dishwasher prior to said items being washed with soap and water, said steam cleaning being conducted in a water saturated atmosphere, at a pressure of equal to or greater than about 15 psi, a temperature of equal to or greater than about 100° C., and a time of equal to or greater than 15 minutes.