Method for Controlling Rinsing in Washing Machine

Abstract

A method for controlling a rinsing operation of a washing machine, which a heating course is selected in the rinsing operation to increase sterilization of laundry and removal of residual detergent. The method includes selecting a rinsing mode before a washing operation is started; and performing rinsing operations, comprising heating rinsing water, according to the selected rinsing mode, when the washing operation according to a selected washing course is completed. The rinsing operations are repeated according to kinds and states of laundry, thereby increasing rinsing capacity. Further, since the temperature of the rinsing water is increased using a heating unit in the final rinsing operation or in each of a designated number of times of the rinsing operations in the late stage, including the final rinsing operation, of the repeated rinsing operations, it is possible to increase removal of residual' detergent and sterilization of the laundry, thus allowing the laundry to be sanitized.

1 . A method for controlling a rinsing operation of a washing machine comprising:
 selecting a washing course; and   performing the rinsing operation comprising heating rinsing water, when the selected washing course is a rinsing/sterilization reinforcing course.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a first rinsing mode for repeating the rinsing operations and heating the rinsing water, when the rinsing/sterilization reinforcing course is selected. 
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a second rinsing mode for only repeating the rinsing operations, when the rinsing/sterilization reinforcing course is selected. 
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the number of times of the repeated rinsing operations when the rinsing/sterilization reinforcing course is selected is larger than the number of times of the repeated rinsing operations when another washing course is selected. 
   
   
       5 . A method for controlling a rinsing operation of a washing machine comprising:
 selecting a rinsing mode before a washing operation is started; and   performing the rinsing operation, comprising heating rinsing water, according to the selected rinsing mode, when the washing operation according to a selected washing course is completed.   
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the rinsing mode is one selected from the group consisting of a first mode for repeating the rinsing operations and heating the rinsing water and a second mode for only repeating the rinsing operations. 
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the rinsing water is heated only in the final rinsing operation of the repeated rinsing operations, when the first mode is selected. 
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the rinsing water is heated only in each of a designated number of times of the rinsing operations in the late stage, including the final rinsing operation, of the repeated rinsing operations, when the first mode is selected. 
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the rinsing water is heated to a temperature of 95° C., when the rinsing operation is performed according to the first mode. 
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising determining the selected rinsing mode after draining of washing water and dehydrating of laundry are performed, when the washing operation according to the selected washing course is completed.