Sterilizing control method for dishwasher

A sterilizing control method for a dishwasher, comprising:

• inputting wash preferences for a sterilizing cycle through a control panel;
• determining whether the inputted wash preferences are for performing a stand-alone sterilizing cycle or adding a sterilizing cycle as an option with other cycles of a wash course, the other cycles including at least one of a wash cycle, a rinse cycle and a drying cycle;
• and
• performing the sterilizing cycle without a wash cycle and a rinse cycle when the stand-alone sterilizing cycle is selected, and performing the sterilizing cycle after the other cycles are completed when the sterilizing cycle is added as an option with other cycles of a wash course,
• wherein performing the sterilizing cycle comprises:
• turning a sterilizer on and off at regular intervals;
• and
• operating a drying fan to exhaust moist vapor to outside of the dishwasher while the sterilizer is turned off, and
• wherein when the sterilizer is turned on, the drying fan ceases operating, and when the sterilizer is turned off, the drying fan operates.