A method and apparatus for cleaning washware, in particular dishes, is provided. In the process, the washware is subjected to at least one wash process in which adhering dirt is at least largely removed. The washware is then subjected to a final-washing process which has at least two substeps. The washware is acted on by a first rinse liquid in a first substep, with the first rinse liquid containing a disinfectant. The washware is acted on by a second rinse liquid in a subsequent second substep, with the second rinse liquid comprising at least one permeate which is produced by reverse osmosis.