A dishwasher is a household appliance designed to clean dishes, utensils, and cookware automatically. It uses water, detergent, and a combination of spray arms to remove food particles and stains. Dishwashers come in various sizes and styles, including built-in, portable, and countertop models. To operate a dishwasher, users load dirty dishes into racks, add detergent, and select a wash cycle. The machine then fills with water, heats it, and sprays it onto the dishes. After the cleaning cycle, the dishwasher drains the dirty water and often includes a drying cycle to leave dishes clean and ready for use.