A method of preconditioning soils on wares in a dishwasher between successive wash cycles of the dishwasher includes retaining a fluid containing a rinse aid from an initial wash cycle of a dishwasher and applying at least a portion of the fluid containing the rinse aid to soils on wares in the dishwasher before the start of a subsequent wash cycle of the dishwasher. Application of at least a portion of the fluid containing the rinse aid to soils on wares in the dishwasher may be in response to the occurrence of an event. Dishwashers which retain a fluid containing a rinse aid from an initial wash cycle and apply at least a portion of the fluid containing the rinse aid to soils on wares before the start of a subsequent wash cycle are also disclosed.