Abstract: An indicator for use with a dishwasher for indicating whether the dishes in the dishwasher are clean or dirty includes a housing having a substantially translucent front wall. A graphic image is formed on the inside surface of the front wall so as to form printed areas and unprinted areas. Lying directly behind the front wall within the housing is a face plate having two different graphics formed thereon. The face plate is slideable relative to the front wall. In one position, graphics on the face plate show through the front wall to indicate that the dishes are dirty. In a second position, the graphics on the face plate show through the front wall to indicate that the dishes are clean. The face plate is releasably held in the dirty position against the force of a spring. Upon sensing an elevated temperature indicating that the dishwasher had been run, the releasable holding mechanism releases allowing the spring to move the face plate into the clean position.