A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity. The method comprises providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine, providing a detergent storage tank, providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent, presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics, relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface, determining a dosage requirement and dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber.

An appliance for washing clothes includes a detergent storage tank and a drum. Between the detergent storage tank and the drum is a diverter valve which has a detergent inlet connected to the detergent storage tank, an air vent connected to ambient air, and a detergent outlet. The diverter valve has an energized state wherein the detergent inlet is open and the air vent is closed, and a de-energized state wherein the detergent inlet is closed and the air vent is open. The appliance also has a flow meter connected to the diverter valve and the drum.

A method and appliance for controlling a household washing machine for washing laundry includes receiving, in a user interface, a user-selected steam sanitize cycle, displaying, on the user interface, a first indicator, and executing, by the controller, the sanitize cycle, and displaying a sanitized indicator, for example, on the user interface.

A home appliance has a control field (A) for selecting and setting a program and program option. The control field includes: a plurality of program indicators (2.1-2.5) each having an associated program symbol (2.1a-2.5a), a plurality of program option indicators (4.1-4.5, 6.1-6.4, 8.1-8.4) each having an associated program option symbol (4.1a-4.5a, 6.1a-6.4a, 8.1a-8.4a), a user-operable program selector (2), and a plurality of user-operable program option selectors (4, 6, 8). The program selector (2) and the program option selectors (4, 6, 8) are arranged in an inner region (II) of the control field (A). The program indicators (2.1-2.5) and program option indicators (4.1-4.5, 6.1-6.4, 8.1-8.4) are arranged in a first region (III) at least partially surrounding the inner region (II). The program symbols and the program option symbols are arranged in a second region (IV) at least partially surrounding the first region (III). At least one program symbol (2.1a-2.5a) is assigned to and arranged proximate to each one of the program indicators (2.1-2.5), and at least one program option symbol (4.1a-4.5a, 6.1a-6.4a, 8.1a-8.4a) is assigned to and arranged proximate to each one of the program option indicators (4.1-4.5, 6.1-6.4, 8.1-8.4).

An appliance for washing clothes includes a detergent storage tank and a drum. Between the detergent storage tank and the drum is a diverter valve which has a detergent inlet connected to the detergent storage tank, an air vent connected to ambient air, and a detergent outlet. The diverter valve has an energized state wherein the detergent inlet is open and the air vent is closed, and a de-energized state wherein the detergent inlet is closed and the air vent is open. The appliance also has a flow meter connected to the diverter valve and the drum.