Nowadays, more and more people are looking into green cleaning and want to live more sustainably. While that sounds easy and simple, the details can get confusing. Even though some items or actions seem sustainable, they may need to be revised. In this article, we will discuss whether or not using a dishwasher can help save water or not.
The short answer is yes. A lot of water is used in the kitchen, cleaning your dishes manually does not reduce its amount. While a lot of consumers believe that dishwashers use more water than washing by hand, this is not true. In fact, you can clean a full dishwasher with the same amount of water as it takes to wash dishes by hand for two minutes.
Hand washing your dishes may not be as effective as you think
The way most people wash their dishes is ineffective. People don’t just utilise one sinkful of water; they swap it out and add extra heated water to keep it hot. They must also rinse their dishes and frequently leave the water running while doing so.
The water in a dishwasher is constantly cleaning dishes and utensils with no waste. It also heats the water over what a person can tolerate, allowing it to clean everything better.
Dishwashers use less water but also use it more efficiently
Dishwashers not only use less water, but they also use it more efficiently. By running your dishwasher, it filters and reuses the water throughout the cycle to limit the quantity of freshwater necessary.
To achieve these water savings, the dishwasher must be Energy Star-certified. People believe that if you don’t have a full load of dishes, you shouldn’t run the dishwasher or just hand wash them. The truth is, that even if you run a less-than-full load, you will save water over hand washing. The most water (and energy) is saved by modern energy-efficient dishwashers, although even older ones can be more efficient than cleaning dishes by hand.
A modern dishwasher uses roughly four gallons of water, whereas hand washing the same dishes requires 27 gallons. Older dishwasher models may use up to fifteen gallons of water – this is still less than hand washing.
Upgrade whenever you can
Even though older versions are still better than hand washing, upgrading to an energy-efficient model is a wise investment. Although it will cost you at first, you will save a lot more time, energy, and money in the long term.
A running tap consumes the same amount of water that a dishwasher does to wash a full load every two minutes. On average, that is roughly the time it takes to wash only eight dishes. You can save up to 80% on the water by using an Energy Star-certified dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
When it comes to upgrading, size and scale are important factors. If your appliance is too large for your needs, it will still waste a lot of energy. If you live alone, you’re unlikely to want a full-size model with a high capacity, so choose a smaller appliance to save money and energy.
Skip the rinsing and get to the cleaning
Some people still wash or rinse their dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, but this is unnecessary and wastes water. Dishwashers nowadays are extremely efficient, and eliminating the pre-wash process can save thousands of litres of water each year. Modern dishwashers require certain dishes to be soiled in order to function properly, as sensors determine how powerful the wash should be.
To make your dishwasher even more efficient
Avoid leaving your dishwasher (or any other appliance) on standby or turned on. While some equipment in your home, such as the fridge/freezer, cannot be turned off, others are wasting energy when not used.
Know what your dishwasher is capable of
To completely optimise the dishwasher’s operations, always use a high-quality detergent. You should utilise the usual cycle whenever possible because it is the most efficient and is designed for everyday dish loads. Another suggestion is to use the delay feature (if your dishwasher has it). This allows you to run your dishwasher during non-peak times. Local utilities advise against using a lot of energy at specific times of the day.
Time is money as they say
If you prepare at least two meals every day for a household of four, running your dishwasher instead of hand washing your dishes can save you up to 75% on electricity and water expenses. Time is money, and using a dishwasher can save you up to thirty minutes. That means that using your dishwasher instead of hand washing can save you roughly ten days of personal time every year.
Take care of your dishwasher
This may go without saying but make sure you regularly clean your appliance. Cleaning your dishwasher will prolong its life and will ensure its proper functioning so that you receive the best results possible. Make sure you add the dishwasher to your regular monthly kitchen cleaning routine.