Have you ever stared at your dishwasher’s control panel and felt like you’re being asked to solve a riddle? “Normal,” “Heavy,” “Eco”… and then there’s “Extra Dry” and “Sanitize.” You press them, the cycle time jumps up, and you’re left thinking, “Okay… but what exactly changed?”
Here’s the thing: both settings turn up the heat, but they’re not doing the same job. One is all about drying plastics and stubborn dishes that love to hold onto water. At the same time, the other is designed to blast away germs and keep baby bottles squeaky clean. Sanitize cycle raises rinse temperatures enough to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria, while Extra Dry simply extends the drying phase to deal with plastics and glassware.
In this guide, we’ll break down Dishwasher Extra Dry vs Sanitize. You’ll learn what each setting really does, how they differ in heat and timing, and when it makes sense to use one over the other. If you’ve ever opened the dishwasher and found your plastic cups still wet or wondered if your kid’s bottles were really germ-free, this article’s for you.
Table of Contents
What Is Extra Dry on a Dishwasher?
Think of Extra Dry as your dishwasher saying, “Hey, let’s keep the fan on a little longer so everything’s bone dry.” That’s basically what it does.
Extends the drying phase:
After the final rinse, Extra Dry keeps the heat going for a bit longer, so moisture evaporates more thoroughly.
Boosts drying power:
On some models (like Bosch or Samsung), it also adjusts the rinse temperature slightly to give the drying process a head start.
Best for plastics:
If you’ve ever pulled out a plastic lid or a Tupperware container that’s still dripping, Extra Dry is the button that saves you from grabbing a towel.
The trade-off? It usually adds an extra 20–30 minutes to the cycle and uses a bit more energy. But if you’ve got a load full of plastics or you hate the streaky water spots on glassware, it’s totally worth it.
What Is Sanitize on a Dishwasher?
Now, Sanitize is a whole different story. This setting is less about drying and more about hygiene.
High-temperature rinse:
Sanitize cranks up the final rinse to about 150–160°F (65–70°C), which is hot enough to kill most bacteria.
Certified for health:
Some dishwashers even have an NSF-certified Sanitize cycle, meaning they’re tested to remove 99.9% of common bacteria.
Best for baby and health needs:
This setting is ideal for baby bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, or when someone in the house has been sick. It’s also great for cutting boards or utensils that have touched raw meat.
The downside? It adds more time (30–60 minutes) and uses noticeably more energy, because heating water to that level isn’t cheap. But if you’re worried about hygiene, it’s the option you’ll be thankful for.
Dishwasher Extra Dry vs Sanitize: Key Differences
Alright, let’s put them side by side so it’s crystal clear:
| Extra Dry | Sanitize |
|---|---|
| Removes extra moisture for drier dishes | Kills up to 99.9% of bacteria for better hygiene |
| Slightly hotter rinse + extended drying phase | Much higher final rinse temperature for disinfection |
| Adds around 20–30 minutes to the cycle | Adds around 30–60 minutes to the cycle |
| Mild increase in energy use | Higher energy consumption |
| Best for plastics, glassware, and everyday loads | Best for baby bottles, cutting boards, or after an illness |
Best for:
- Extra Dry = plastics and glassware.
- Sanitize = baby items, cutting boards, post-illness cleanup.
Quick takeaway: Extra Dry is your “everyday convenience” button, while Sanitize is your “special occasion, health-first” button.
When to Use Extra Dry
Extra Dry is your everyday helper. It doesn’t do anything fancy with germs, but it makes life a whole lot easier when you don’t feel like towel-drying. Think of it as the setting that saves you from running around the kitchen with a dish towel in your hand.
Plastic cups and containers:
These are notorious for coming out wet because plastic doesn’t retain heat the way glass or metal does. Extra Dry gives them a fighting chance. Perfect for school lunchboxes, water bottles, or those stubborn Tupperware lids that always seem to drip. If you’ve ever wondered why plastics behave so differently, our guide on plastic in the dishwasher: essential insights breaks it down clearly.
Glassware that streaks:
Have you ever poured water into a “clean” glass only to see spots and streaks? Extra Dry helps reduce that by extending heat and airflow, leaving your glasses clearer and shinier. You can dive deeper into this problem in our post on how to prevent and clean cloudy glasses from the dishwasher.
Quick family dinners:
Sometimes you just want to run a load after dinner and put dishes straight back into the cabinets without wiping them first. Extra Dry helps you do that without sacrificing too much time or energy.
Small to medium daily loads:
It’s not a huge power-hog like Sanitize, so you can use it during the week without stressing about bills.
I usually think of Extra Dry as the “weekday cycle.” It keeps things convenient and consistent, saving you from the small but annoying chore of towel-drying half your dishes.
When to Use Sanitize
Sanitize is more of a “special occasion” button. You don’t need it for every load, but when you do, it’s a lifesaver. Think of it like hand sanitizer, you don’t pull it out all the time, but when germs are around, it gives you peace of mind.
Baby items:
Bottles, pacifiers, breast pump parts, and teething toys can all benefit from that high-heat rinse. Babies have sensitive immune systems, and the sanitize cycle ensures their belongings are as clean as they get. For more tips, see our guide on whether you can put baby bottles in the dishwasher.
After illness:
If someone in the house has had the flu, stomach bug, or even just a bad cold, Sanitize helps keep germs from spreading through shared dishes and utensils.
Cutting boards and knives:
Especially after chopping raw chicken or fish, sanitizing these items prevents cross-contamination. A normal wash cleans off food debris, but the sanitize cycle adds that extra layer of safety.
Big family gatherings:
When you’re running the dishwasher multiple times in a day, adding a sanitize cycle at least once can keep things fresher and safer.
Although it takes more time and energy, the extra cost is worth the peace of mind for parents, caregivers, or anyone concerned about hygiene.
Can You Use Extra Dry and Sanitize Together?
Good question. On many dishwashers (like Bosch or Whirlpool), you can actually select both Extra Dry and Sanitize in the same cycle. That way you get:
- Dry plastics
- Germ-free baby bottles
- Peace of mind
The catch? Your cycle will run longer, sometimes well over three hours. And yes, it’ll use more electricity. But if you’ve got a newborn at home or you’re running a load of mixed plastics and baby bottles, it’s worth every minute.
I like to think of it as the “belt and suspenders” approach: a little overkill for daily use, but incredibly useful when the situation calls for it.
Energy and Time Considerations
Let’s be honest, those little extra buttons can add big chunks of time to your cycle. Here’s what usually happens:
- Extra Dry adds around 20–30 minutes. It also pulls a bit more power since the heating element and fan run longer, but it’s still fairly efficient.
- Sanitize can add 30–60 minutes because the water needs to reach a much higher temperature. That means your dishwasher is drawing more electricity. If it’s heating water itself instead of pulling hot water from your tank, the energy use climbs higher.
Dishwasher Brand Examples
Different brands give these options slightly different names, but the idea is the same.
Bosch:
- Extra Dry extends the drying phase and is recommended for plastics.
- Sanitize is NSF-certified and raises rinse temps for baby bottles and cutting boards.
Samsung:
- Extra Dry can be toggled along with “Storm Wash” or “Auto.”
- Sanitize boosts the final rinse and is popular for families with kids.
Whirlpool/GE:
- Extra Dry is sometimes labeled as “Heat Dry” or “Extended Dry.”
- Sanitize is offered on most mid-to-high-end models as an option alongside Heavy cycles.
Miele:
- Uses Extra Drying with AutoOpen door release.
- Sanitizing is often paired with “Hygiene” programs.
Bottom line: regardless of the name, Extra Dry = longer drying time, Sanitize = higher heat rinse.
Pro Tips for Best Results
Want to get the most out of both settings without wasting energy? Here’s what actually helps:
- Always use rinse aid: It’s the secret weapon for streak-free, dry dishes. If you’re unsure which one to pick, check out our guide on the 6 best dishwasher rinse aids for sparkling results.
- Load wisely: Tilt plastics so water doesn’t pool. Don’t block vents with cutting boards.
- Know your priorities: If hygiene is your main goal, go with Sanitize. If it’s dryness, Extra Dry is enough.
- Use both sparingly: Combining Extra Dry and Sanitize is powerful, but it’s also energy-hungry. Save it for special loads.
- Check your brand’s manual: Bosch, Samsung, and Miele sometimes hide these options in cycle menus.
Conclusion
Here’s the quick takeaway: Extra Dry is your go-to for convenience, Sanitize is your go-to for hygiene.
If you’re tired of pulling out wet plastics, hit Extra Dry. If you want peace of mind with baby bottles or you’re cleaning up after an illness, go for Sanitize. And if your dishwasher allows both? Use them together, just be prepared for a longer, hotter cycle.
At the end of the day, these aren’t just “extra buttons”, they’re tools to make your dishwasher fit your lifestyle. And knowing when to use each one will save you time, energy, and a lot of towel-drying frustration.
FAQs About Dishwasher Extra Dry vs Sanitize
Dishwasher Extra Dry vs Sanitize
Yes. NSF-certified Sanitize cycles are tested to remove 99.9% of common bacteria by raising rinse temperatures to 150–160°F.
Does Extra Dry damage plastics?
No, but it may cause very lightweight plastics to warp slightly if they’re not dishwasher safe. Always check labels.
Can I use Sanitize every day?
You can, but it’s not necessary. It uses more energy and is best saved for baby items or after an illness.
Which setting uses more energy?
Sanitizers use significantly more, as they have to superheat water. Extra Dry just extends drying.
Are both settings safe for glassware?
Yes, but Extra Dry is better if your main concern is streak-free shine. Sanitize won’t harm glasses but may leave them hotter to the touch.
Is Sanitize the same as “High Temp Wash”?
Not exactly. High Temp Wash increases wash water temperature for cleaning. Sanitize is specifically the final rinse step for disinfection.
Do all dishwashers have Extra Dry and Sanitize?
No. Extra Dry is fairly common. Sanitize is usually on mid- and high-end models, especially from Bosch, Miele, and Whirlpool.
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