CLEANING SEQUENCE FOR AN APPLIANCE

Abstract

A cleaning method includes sensing at least one trigger, where the at least one trigger is chosen from sensing a presence of a first liquid within a wash compartment of an appliance with a liquid sensor and sensing an elapsed time from activation of a faucet of the appliance with a timer. The cleaning method also includes draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance. Additionally, the cleaning method includes rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid. The draining of the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance and the rinsing of the wash compartment with a second liquid are both performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance.

Description

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The present device relates to an appliance that is used to clean an article.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning method includes sensing a presence of a first liquid within a wash compartment of an appliance with a liquid sensor. The cleaning method also includes draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance in response to the sensing of the presence of the first liquid within the wash compartment of the appliance. Additionally, the cleaning method includes rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid. The step of draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance and the step of rinsing the wash compartment with the second liquid are both performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning method includes sensing an elapsed time from activation of a faucet with a timer. The cleaning method also includes draining a first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance in response to the sensing of the elapsed time from activation of the faucet with the timer. Additionally, the cleaning method includes rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid. The step of draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance and the step of rinsing the wash compartment with the second liquid are both performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a wash compartment of an appliance, illustrating a faucet thereof, according to one example;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an appliance, illustrating the faucet on an exterior thereof, according to one example;

FIG. 3 is an expanded view of the faucet depicted in FIG. 2, illustrating the faucet in a raised position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the appliance, illustrating various sensors that communicate with a controller, according to one example;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a cleaning method of the present disclosure, according to one example;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a cleaning method of the present disclosure, according to one example; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a cleaning method of the present disclosure, according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a cooking appliance door push button assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

With respect to FIGS. 1-3, an appliance 20 includes a wash compartment 24 that can be used to clean an article. For example, the appliance 20 can be a laundry appliance (e.g., vertical axis laundry appliance or horizontal axis laundry appliance) and the wash compartment 24 can be employed to clean household articles, such as clothing, linens, footwear, and so on. Alternatively, the appliance 20 can be a dishwasher and the wash compartment 24 can be employed to clean kitchenware or other household articles, such as dishes, flatware, drinkware, pacifiers, and so on. Regardless of whether the appliance 20 is a laundry appliance or a dishwasher, the appliance 20 is provided with a faucet 28 that can be used to provide a first liquid 30, such as water, to a user in an on-demand fashion. The user may obtain the first liquid 30, from the faucet 28 by activating a button 32 or other interface operable by the user through tactile, motion or voice interactions.

In some examples, the faucet 28 is a dedicated source of the first liquid 30 that is separate from the liquid used within the appliance 20 for operating a wash cycle. In such examples, the faucet 28 is typically operable at any time, whether or not a wash cycle is operating and whether or not a door 36 of the wash compartment 24 is in an open position. Alternatively, the faucet 28 may be employed as a common inlet for use during a wash cycle of the appliance 20, as well as for performing general purpose functions, as will be described more fully herein. In such examples, actuation of the button 32 can bypass an inlet lockout of the faucet 28 that can be provided within controller logic of the appliance 20. In this manner, liquid is allowed to flow from the faucet 28 for the duration of the actuation of the button 32.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, in various examples, the button 32 can be provided with a push-push assembly that maintains the button 32 in an actuated, or on, state with a first push of the button 32 and returns the button 32 to neutral, or off, state with a second push of the button 32. In such examples, the liquid can be dispensed from the faucet 28 for the duration of the actuated state of the button 32. Alternatively, the button 32 may not include the push-push assembly, or a similar assembly, such that the liquid is only dispensed from the faucet 28 while the user holds the button 32 in the actuated state.

The user may utilize the faucet 28, for example, and without limitation, to pretreat an article that is intended to be exposed to the wash cycle within the wash compartment 24 (e.g., a stain on a shirt), to fill a pet's water bowl, remove debris from the article, to wash their hands, to brush their teeth, and so on. In general, the faucet 28 can enable the appliance 20 to serve an additional purpose as a sink (e.g., a vanity, a general purpose sink, or a utility sink). Accordingly, in some examples, the appliance 20 may be provided with a chopping or disintegrating device that can break up larger particles and heavy soils introduced into the wash compartment 24. Therefore, the chopping or disintegrating device can prevent clogging or blockages of a drainage system of the appliance 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, the faucet 28 can be positioned on an exterior of the appliance 20 such that the user need not open the door 36 to utilize the faucet 28. The faucet 28 may be operable between a stowed or lowered position (FIG. 2) and a use or raised position (FIG. 3). When in the stowed position, the faucet 28 can rest within a receptacle 68 such that a surface of the faucet 28 may be generally coplanar, or arranged on the same plane, with an upper surface 40 of the appliance 20. The faucet 28 can include an arm 44 that has a coupling end 48 and a free end 52. The coupling end 48 of the arm 44 is pivotably coupled to the appliance 20, thereby enabling the operation of the faucet 28 between the stowed position within the receptacle 68 and the use position at least partially raised from the receptacle 68. The button 32 can be positioned below the coupling end 48 of the arm 44 such that the button 32 is placed in the actuated state when the arm 44 is placed in the use position. Accordingly, liquid may begin flowing through the arm 44 and out of the free end 52 of the faucet 28 upon placing the faucet 28 in the use position.

Alternatively, the faucet 28 may be provided with the button 32 being positioned on the arm 44 such that the user may actuate the button 32 in the manner described above with regard to the push-push assembly or the user may actuate the button 32 in an on-demand manner where the liquid is flowed through the arm 44 and out of the free end 52 while the user holds the button 32 in the actuated state. Regardless of the arrangement of the button 32, the free end 52 of the arm 44 can be provided with a faucet head 56 that emits the liquid in a particular pattern or stream configuration.

Once the liquid has flowed out of the faucet head 56, the liquid can be received by a catch basin 60. The catch basin 60 includes a drain 64 positioned at a low point thereof, such as within a portion of the receptacle 68. The drain 64 may be coupled to the wash compartment 24 such that the liquid received by the catch basin 60 flows into the wash compartment 24. Alternatively, the drain 64 may be fluidly coupled to a drain outlet of the appliance 20 such that the wash compartment 24 is bypassed. This drain outlet can be a dedicated drain outlet for the liquid from the faucet 28. The drain outlet can also be a commonly used drain outlet for all of the liquid to be disposed from the appliance 20.

The faucet receptacle 68 may be positioned below the arm 44 and extend from a region that is proximate to the coupling end 48 to a region that is proximate to the catch basin 60. The faucet receptacle 68 can be incorporated with the catch basin 60. The faucet receptacle 68 can support the arm 44 when the faucet 28 is in the stowed position and prevent marring of the surface of the arm 44. Additionally, the faucet receptacle 68 can catch liquid that flows down the arm 44 or splashes under the arm 44 during use. Accordingly, the faucet receptacle 68 can prevent liquid from entering into the appliance 20 in a region that is not intended to receive liquid and/or in a region that is not protected from fluids. The faucet receptacle 68 can be provided with a downward slope from the region that is proximate to the coupling end 48 to the region that is proximate to the catch basin 60. Accordingly, liquid that contacts the faucet receptacle 68 may be encouraged to flow through the force of gravity, toward the catch basin 60. As discussed herein the liquid that exits the faucet 28 may be referred to as the first liquid 30.

It is contemplated that the first liquid 30 described herein can include various fluid materials. Such fluid materials can include, but are not limited to, water, one or more treating chemistries, soils, foreign liquids, combinations thereof, and other similar fluid materials. Accordingly, in examples where the first liquid 30 is directed to the wash compartment 24 after having been dispensed from the faucet 28, the first liquid 30 may include additional components that have been picked up between the faucet 28 and the wash compartment 24.

Referring to FIG. 4, the appliance 20 is shown in schematic form. The appliance 20 can include a controller 72. The controller 72 includes a processor 76 and memory 80. The memory 80 stores software routines 84 that are executable by the processor 76. In various situations, some of which will be discussed further herein, the software routines 84 within the memory 80 may be accessed by the controller 72 and/or the processor 76 in response to an input from the appliance 20. The inputs from the appliance 20 that can be received by the controller 72 can include, but are not limited to, a turbidity sensor 86, a door sensor 88, a liquid sensor 92, a weight sensor 96, a liquid temperature sensor 100, a conductivity sensor 104, a timer 108, and/or a faucet sensor 112. For example, the liquid sensor 92 can communicate the presence of liquid within the wash compartment 24 after the faucet sensor 112 has communicated that the faucet 28 was activated. These inputs can be processed by the controller 72 and indicate that the appliance 20 was used for an activity other than a wash cycle or a portion of a wash cycle. Accordingly, the controller 72 may initiate a cleaning sequence for the wash compartment 24, as will be discussed in further detail herein. In another example, the faucet sensor 112 can communicate to the controller 72 that the faucet 28 was activated, or placed in the on state, and the controller 72 can reference the timer 108 to determine if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the faucet sensor 112 was activated. In such an example, if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, then the controller 72 may initiate a cleaning sequence for the wash compartment 24.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in some examples, the door sensor 88, the liquid sensor 92, the timer 108, and/or the faucet sensor 112 can be employed to inform the controller 72 that the user has opened the door 36 of the appliance 20, activated the faucet 28, and that liquid is currently within the wash compartment 24. Accordingly, the controller 72 may initiate a cleaning sequence for the wash compartment 24 as such inputs can indicate that the appliance 20 was used for an activity other than a wash cycle. In various examples, the turbidity sensor 86, the liquid sensor 92, the conductivity sensor 104, the timer 108, and/or the faucet sensor 112 can be employed by the controller 72 to evaluate a degree of soiling of the liquid (e.g., the first liquid 30) within the wash compartment 24 after activation of the faucet 28.

As a non-limiting example, if a user is utilizing the appliance 20 as a utility sink, then the user may be rinsing heavily soiled articles. Accordingly, the liquid within the wash compartment 24 may contain large pieces of dirt or other materials. In such an example, the controller 72 may utilize these inputs to activate the chopping or disintegrating device when draining the liquid (e.g., the first liquid 30) from the wash compartment 24. Therefore, as the controller 72 initiates execution of a cleaning sequence due to the use of the appliance 20 for an activity other than a wash cycle, the heavily soiled liquid may be prevented from clogging or otherwise causing a blockage of the drainage system. It is contemplated that, in the aforementioned example of heavily soiled liquid being present within the wash compartment 24, the controller 72 may reference the liquid temperature sensor 100 and increase a temperature of liquid that is being introduced to the wash compartment 24 during the cleaning sequence. For example, a percentage of hot liquid, such as hot water, being introduced to the wash compartment 24 during the cleaning sequence. In so doing, a solubility of the soiling components of the liquid (e.g., dirt, clay, chemicals, etc.) may be increased.

It is further contemplated that the user may be able to select a temperature, either qualitatively or quantitatively, of the first liquid 30 dispensed by the faucet 28. For example, the button 32 can include a hot liquid portion, a cold liquid portion, and/or a temperature dial (e.g., digital or analog). In various examples, if the controller 72 determines that heavily soiled liquid is present within the wash compartment 24 (e.g., with the turbidity sensor 86 and/or the conductivity sensor 104), then the controller 72 may prevent a wash cycle from being initiated until a cleaning sequence has been executed. Accordingly, a user may be prevented from conducting a wash cycle with heavy soils present in the wash compartment, which could cause unsatisfactory results from the wash cycle.

Referring further to FIG. 4, the controller 72 may utilize inputs from the door sensor 88, the liquid sensor 92, the weight sensor 96, and/or the faucet sensor 112 to determine the presence of one or more articles within the wash compartment 24 after the faucet 28 has been activated. For example, a user may activate the faucet 28 to utilize the appliance 20 as a utility sink. At a later time, and before the appliance 20 has executed a cleaning sequence, the user may load the wash compartment 24 with one or more articles to be washed. Accordingly, the controller 72, having registered the activation of the faucet 28 with the faucet sensor 112, the presence of liquid within the wash compartment 24 with the liquid sensor 92, and/or the door 36 being in an open position, can prevent activation of the wash cycle in response to an indication of additional weight by the weight sensor 96. In such an example, the faucet sensor 112 may indicate that the faucet 28 has not been activated since the initial faucet 28 activation. Therefore, the controller 72 may determine that the additional weight reported by the weight sensor 96 did not originate from additional liquid coming from the faucet 28. Accordingly, the controller 72 can determine that the user may be attempting to execute a wash cycle prior to the execution of the cleaning sequence. Thus, the controller 72 may communicate an error message or notification that informs the user that the cleaning sequence is recommended prior to proceeding with the wash cycle. The user may override this recommendation by informing the controller 72 (e.g., by input via a user interface) that the initial activation of the faucet 28 was part of a pretreatment routine for the one or more articles.

In various examples, the software routines 84 can include one or more time tables of when to initiate the cleaning sequence based upon the input(s) received by the controller 72. For example, the one or more time tables can include initiating the cleaning sequence after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, as measured by the timer 108, after the activation of the faucet 28, as indicated by the faucet sensor 112. In such an example, the predetermined amount of time may be on the order of approximately tens of minutes. For example, and without limitation, the predetermined amount of time may be 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes, 70 minutes, 80 minutes, 90 minutes approximations thereof and other amounts of them that are greater than, less than or between these exemplary amounts of time. In various examples, a type or duration of the cleaning sequence may be informed by the amount of time that has elapsed since the activation of the faucet 28.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cleaning method 120 includes step 124 of draining liquid contents of the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20. The cleaning method 120 also includes step 128 of rinsing the wash compartment 24 with a second liquid 130 (see FIG. 1). It is contemplated that the second liquid 130 described herein can include various fluid materials. Such fluid materials can include, but are not limited to, water, one or more treating chemistries, combinations thereof, and other similar fluid materials. In some examples, the second liquid 130 may originate from the same source as the first liquid 30, the second liquid 130 may have a similar composition to the first liquid 30, the second liquid 130 may have an identical composition to the first liquid 30, the second liquid 130 may be dispensed from the same location as the first liquid 30 (e.g., the faucet 28), and/or the first liquid 30 and the second liquid 130 may differ temporally (i.e., in a timeframe in which they are dispensed). For example, the first liquid 30 may be dispensed from the faucet 28 for an activity that is not directly tied to a wash cycle of the appliance 20 and the second liquid 130 are typically dispensed from the faucet 28 at a later point in time to rinse the wash compartment 24, as indicated by the dashed line associated with the second liquid 130 in FIG. 1. In various examples, the steps of draining liquid contents of the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 and rinsing the wash compartment 24 with the second liquid 130 are both performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance 20. The second liquid 130 may be introduced to the wash compartment 24 in a different manner than the first liquid 30. For example, the second liquid 130 may be introduced to the wash compartment 24 by activation of a different button than what causes the first liquid 30 to be introduced to the wash compartment 24. Additionally, or alternatively, a path of delivery for the second liquid 130 may differ from a path of delivery for the first liquid 30. The wash cycle, as used herein, is intended to refer to a programmed cycle, a programmable cycle, or user-selectable cycle that performs washing, rinsing, and/or draining functions to sanitize one or more articles (e.g., clothes or kitchenware). The cleaning method 120 can be initiated by at least one trigger chosen from the liquid sensor 92 sensing the presence of the liquid contents and an elapsed time from activation of the faucet 28 of the appliance 20.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cleaning method 140 includes step 144 of sensing a presence of a first liquid 30 within the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 with the liquid sensor 92. In various examples, the first liquid 30 can include water. The cleaning method 140 also includes step 148 of draining the first liquid 30 from the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 in response to the sensing of the presence of the first liquid 30 within the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 at step 144. Additionally, the cleaning method 140 includes step 152 of rinsing the wash compartment 24 with a second liquid 130. In some examples, the second liquid 130 can include water. In various examples, the step 148 of draining the first liquid 30 from the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 and the step 152 of rinsing the wash compartment 24 with the second liquid 130 are typically performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance 20.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a cleaning method 160 includes step 164 of sensing an elapsed time from activation of the faucet 28 with the timer 108. The cleaning method 160 also includes step 168 of draining a first liquid 30 from the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 in response to the sensing of the elapsed time from activation of the faucet 28 with the timer 108 at step 164. In various examples, the first liquid 30 can include water. Additionally, the cleaning method 160 includes step 172 of rinsing the wash compartment 24 with a second liquid 130. In some examples, the second liquid 130 can include water. In various examples, the step 168 of draining the first liquid 30 from the wash compartment 24 of the appliance 20 and the step 172 of rinsing the wash compartment 24 with the second liquid 130 are typically performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance 20.

The present disclosure provides cleaning sequences for an appliance 20, where the cleaning sequence can be executed in response to using the appliance 20 for activities that may not be directly tied to the wash cycle of the appliance 20. In the various examples discussed herein, treating chemistry may be added to the cleaning sequence in an effort to sanitize the wash compartment 24 prior to execution of the wash cycle. In such examples, the liquid temperature sensor 100 may be employed to provide liquid, such as water, with an increased temperature to the wash compartment 24 and/or a chemistry dispensing compartment in an effort to increase solubility of the soils and/or the treating chemistry. Additionally, in such examples, the chemistry dispensing compartment may be a compartment that receives the treating chemistry associated with a single wash cycle. For example, the user may add the treating chemistry directly to the chemistry dispensing compartment prior to each wash cycle and/or each cleaning sequence. Alternatively, the chemistry dispensing compartment may receive a multi-cycle cartridge or reservoir that dispenses a fraction of a volume of the multi-cycle cartridge or reservoir prior to execution of the wash cycle and/or the cleaning sequence. It may be beneficial to employ the multi-cycle cartridge or reservoir so that the treating chemistry may be employed by the cleaning sequence without further action taken by the user (i.e., adding the treating chemistry prior to the cleaning cycle). The steps of draining the liquid contents of the wash compartment 24, rinsing the wash compartment 24 with liquid, such as the second liquid 130, and treating the wash compartment 24 with a treating chemistry can be executed in any combination, any order, and any number of times without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. In the event that the faucet 28 was not activated between wash cycles of the appliance 20, the controller 72 may bypass, or omit, the cleaning sequence. Similarly, the controller 72 may bypass, or omit, the cleaning sequence if the controller 72 did not receive an input from one of the sensors that indicates liquid was added to the wash compartment 24 (e.g., emptying a dog's water bowl into the wash compartment 24) between wash cycles.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

Claims

1. A cleaning method, the method comprising the steps of: sensing a presence of a first liquid within a wash compartment of an appliance with a liquid sensor;draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance in response to the sensing of the presence of the first liquid within the wash compartment of the appliance; andrinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid, wherein the step of draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance and the step of rinsing the wash compartment with the second liquid are both performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance.

2. The cleaning method of claim 1, further comprising a step of: sensing an elapsed time from activation of a faucet of the appliance with a timer.

3. The cleaning method of claim 2, wherein the first liquid is deposited into the wash compartment by the faucet.

4. The cleaning method of claim 1, further comprising a step of: dispensing treating chemistry from a chemistry dispensing compartment into the wash compartment of the appliance.

5. The cleaning method of claim 4, wherein the step of dispensing treating chemistry from a chemistry dispensing compartment into the wash compartment of the appliance further comprises: delivering the second liquid to the chemistry dispensing compartment prior to rinsing the wash compartment with the second liquid such that the second liquid delivers the treating chemistry to the wash compartment; andsensing a temperature of the second liquid delivered to the chemistry dispensing compartment with a liquid temperature sensor.

6. The cleaning method of claim 5, wherein the step of dispensing treating chemistry from a chemistry dispensing compartment into the wash compartment of the appliance further comprises: increasing the temperature of the second liquid delivered to the chemistry dispensing compartment when the temperature sensed by the liquid temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold.

7. The cleaning method of claim 1, wherein the step of rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid further comprises: sensing a temperature of the second liquid delivered to the wash compartment with a liquid temperature sensor.

8. The cleaning method of claim 7, wherein the step of rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid further comprises: increasing the temperature of the second liquid delivered to the wash compartment when the temperature sensed by the liquid temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold.

9. The cleaning method of claim 1, wherein the faucet of the appliance is separate from a liquid inlet that is employed when operating the wash cycle.

10. The cleaning method of claim 1, further comprising a step of: activating a disintegrating device.

11. A cleaning method, the method comprising the steps of: sensing an elapsed time from activation of a faucet of an appliance with a timer;draining a first liquid from a wash compartment of the appliance in response to the sensing of an elapsed time from activation of a faucet of the appliance with a timer; andrinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid, wherein the step of draining the first liquid from the wash compartment of the appliance and the step of rinsing the wash compartment with the second liquid are both performed prior to initiating a wash cycle of the appliance.

12. The cleaning method of claim 11, further comprising a step of: sensing a presence of the first liquid within the wash compartment of the appliance with a liquid sensor.

13. The cleaning method of claim 12, wherein the first liquid is deposited into the wash compartment by the faucet.

14. The cleaning method of claim 11, further comprising a step of: dispensing treating chemistry from a chemistry dispensing compartment into the wash compartment of the appliance.

15. The cleaning method of claim 14, wherein the step of dispensing treating chemistry from a chemistry dispensing compartment into the wash compartment of the appliance further comprises: delivering the second liquid to the chemistry dispensing compartment prior to rinsing the wash compartment with the second liquid such that the second liquid delivers the treating chemistry to the wash compartment; andsensing a temperature of the second liquid delivered to the chemistry dispensing compartment with a liquid temperature sensor.

16. The cleaning method of claim 15, wherein the step of dispensing treating chemistry from a chemistry dispensing compartment into the wash compartment of the appliance further comprises: increasing the temperature of the second liquid delivered to the chemistry dispensing compartment when the temperature sensed by the liquid temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold.

17. The cleaning method of claim 10, wherein the step of rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid further comprises: sensing a temperature of the second liquid delivered to the wash compartment with a liquid temperature sensor.

18. The cleaning method of claim 17, wherein the step of rinsing the wash compartment with a second liquid further comprises: increasing the temperature of the second liquid delivered to the wash compartment when the temperature sensed by the liquid temperature sensor is below a predetermined threshold.

19. The cleaning method of claim 11, wherein the faucet of the appliance is separate from a liquid inlet that is employed when operating the wash cycle.

20. The cleaning method of claim 11, further comprising a step of: activating a disintegrating device that is in communication with the wash compartment.