1. A washing machine for cleansing articles, comprising: a washer tub; a washer basket disposed in said washer tub for receiving the articles; a liquid supply source for supplying a liquid to said washer tub and said washer basket; a timer for measuring the time to fill said washer tub and said washer basket with a predetermined initial liquid level and providing a signal representation thereof; a liquid level sensor, for measuring a change in the level of liquid in said washer tub and said washer basket after waiting a predetermined time and providing a signal representation thereof; and a controller, responsive to said timer and said liquid level sensor, for determining a level of liquid to be supplied to said washer tub and said washer basket by said liquid supply source for a wash cycle operation of said washing machine as a function of the time and the change in liquid level.