Method for cleaning a load in a treatment space of a domestic appliance

Abstract

A domestic appliance for cleaning a load has a treatment space for accommodating a load to be cleaned, a load detecting device for detecting a load quantity in the treatment space, and a time detecting device for detecting a time value. A controller of the domestic appliance automatically starts a cleaning program when (i) the load quantity detected by the load detecting device exceeds a predetermined load limit value and (ii) the time value detected by the time detecting device exceeds a predetermined time limit value.

1 . A method for cleaning a load in a treatment space of a domestic appliance, which comprises the steps of:
 detecting a load quantity in the treatment space;   detecting a time value; and   automatically starting a cleaning program when:
 a detected load quantity exceeds a predetermined load limit value; and 
 a detected time value exceeds a predetermined time limit value. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises inputting at least one of the predetermined load limit value or the predetermined time limit value by a user. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 detecting an available quantity of cleaning agent; and   starting the cleaning program automatically only when the detected quantity of the cleaning agent exceeds a predetermined cleaning agent limit value.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 providing the domestic appliance with an automatic door closing system for automatically closing a door to the treatment space; and   activating the automatic door closing system for closing the door before the cleaning program is started.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 displaying at least one information item to a user which is selected from group consisting of the predetermined load limit value, the load quantity, a difference between the load quantity and the predetermined load limit value, the predetermined time limit value, the time value, and a difference between the time value and the predetermined time limit value.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises:
 detecting actual energy costs; and   starting the cleaning program automatically only when the detected energy costs drop below a predetermined energy cost limit value.