Everything you need to know about those cryptic symbols on your Bosch dishwasher – decoded in plain language.
Last Updated: March 17, 2025
Understanding Your Bosch Dishwasher Symbols
Bosch dishwashers come equipped with numerous symbols that might look like hieroglyphics at first glance. Understanding these symbols is crucial for effectively operating your appliance and ensuring your dishes come out spotless every time. This comprehensive guide decodes all the important symbols on your Bosch dishwasher control panel, helping you maximize its features and troubleshoot common issues.
Status Indicator Symbols
Washing and Drying Indicators
Brush Symbol
When this symbol is illuminated, your dishwasher is actively washing dishes. The machine is mid-cycle, so just wait until it completes.
Pre-rinse Symbol
Showing dotted lines radiating toward a plate, this indicates a short rinse cycle occurring before the main wash begins. Ideal for dishes with dried-on food.
Dishwasher Drying Symbol
Represented by three vertical wavy lines, this lets you know your machine is currently in the drying phase of the wash cycle.
Warning and Refill Indicators
Rinse Aid Refill Indicator
Resembling a snowflake, this symbol alerts you to refill the rinse aid. This additive ensures dishes dry evenly and without streaks after rinsing.
Dishwasher Salt Symbol
Resembling an “S” or a pair of wavy arrows, this prompts you to refill the salt container. Dishwasher salt softens hard water, preventing limescale build-up and protecting both dishes and the appliance.
Dishwasher Tap Symbol
Showing a stylized faucet, this indicates insufficient water flow to your dishwasher. Possible causes include blockages, improperly installed hoses, a closed tap, or an electronic issue.
Safety and Convenience Features
Child Lock
Symbolized by a lock graphic, this prevents children from opening the dishwasher. To deactivate it, use a specific button combination or press and hold a button for a certain duration.
Machine Care Indicator
Appears when your dishwasher requires maintenance. This specialized cleaning cycle, when paired with a machine cleaning detergent, thoroughly cleans your dishwasher, minimizing the buildup of limescale, grease, and unpleasant smells.
Smart Dishwasher Symbols
If your Bosch dishwasher is Wi-Fi-enabled, you’ll see these connectivity symbols:
Home Connect Symbol
Indicates that your dishwasher can connect with the Bosch Home Connect app. This feature allows you to tell your dishwasher what’s in the load, and it will determine the perfect program for your dishes.
Favourite Symbol
Allows you to save your preferred programs as favorites in the app and launch them remotely or from the comfort of your sofa.
Program and Function Symbols
Intensity Indicators
Bosch dishwashers use various symbols to indicate washing intensity:
Badly Soiled Items Symbol
Used for intensive wash zones where you should place pots, pans, and heavily soiled items for the most thorough cleaning at higher temperatures.
Normally Soiled Items Symbol
Indicates a ‘normal’ wash program suitable for regular soiling and everyday use with moderate temperatures.
Lightly Soiled Items Symbol
Denotes a low-intensity, low-temperature program suitable for glassware or lightly soiled items.
Delicate Items Symbol
Indicates a program designed for stemware or other delicate items that require gentle washing.
Tableware Symbols
These symbols aren’t on the dishwasher itself but on kitchenware to indicate compatibility:
Dishwasher Safe Symbol
Shows plates or glasses in a dishwasher basket, indicating that an item can safely be cleaned in a dishwasher.
Dishwasher Proof Symbol
Often featuring a number like 500 with radiating lines, represents items that meet the European norm EN 12875, indicating the number of dishwasher cycles the item can endure without damage.
Food Safe Symbol
Showing a fork and wine glass, signifies that the material is food-safe and won’t contaminate your food.
Troubleshooting Symbol Issues
White Brush Symbol Issue: If your dishwasher displays a white brush symbol without your input and refuses to start a new cycle, it may think it’s already engaged in a cycle. Performing a reset might fix this problem, though Bosch dishwashers typically don’t have a dedicated reset button. Try holding down the Start button or turning the machine off and back on.
Maintenance Tip: For optimal maintenance, it’s advisable to run the 70°C cycle every third wash, particularly if you’re using eco programs. This helps prevent grease accumulation over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Status Symbols: Learn to recognize the brush, pre-rinse, and drying symbols to understand where your dishwasher is in its cycle.
- Warning Indicators: Pay attention to rinse aid, salt, and tap symbols to keep your dishwasher running efficiently.
- Safety Features: The child lock and machine care indicators help protect your dishwasher and family.
- Smart Features: Modern Bosch dishwashers offer connectivity options through the Home Connect app.
- Program Selection: Different intensity symbols help you choose the right program for your dishes.
- Maintenance: Regular care using the 70°C cycle every third wash helps prevent grease buildup.
Conclusion
Understanding your Bosch dishwasher symbols is essential for maximizing the efficiency and longevity of your appliance. By recognizing what each symbol means, you can ensure your dishes are cleaned properly, troubleshoot common issues, and maintain your dishwasher in optimal condition. Whether you’re dealing with warning indicators or simply trying to select the right program for your dishes, this guide provides all the information you need to get the most out of your Bosch dishwasher.
Looking for more appliance tips? Check out our other guides on home appliance maintenance and troubleshooting to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Check us out at www.softwarestudylab.com