Dishwashers Vs. Handwashing

Dishwashers use less water than traditional hand washing.

Dishwashers are labor-saving appliances designed to take the place of hand-washing dishes. While a dishwasher saves time by washing dishes so that you do not have to, water use and sanitation may cause you to wonder if using the dishwasher is the best method. Additionally the number of people in your home and your eating and cooking habits may influence which method you choose.

Water Consumption

Washing dishes by hand uses more water than running a full load of dishes in a dishwasher, reports Danny Lipford.com of a study which found that hand washing dishes used approximately 27 gallons of water while running a newer model dishwasher used just six. Running the dishwasher even beat older models of dishwashers, which use approximately 15 gallons of water -- still 11 gallons less than washing dishes in the sink. However, this estimate did not account for prerinsing dishes, running less than a full load or running a long cycle designed to wash hard-to-clean dishes or pots and pans. Instead of prerinsing, scrape food off and place the dish in the dishwasher. Soaps designed for the dishwasher are made to clean dishes that are dirty, not rinsed.

Time

Running a dishwasher saves time by allowing you to pursue other activities while your dishes wash. However, washing dishes in the dishwasher still requires that you remove food from your dishes, stack them in the dishwasher and remove them once they are clean, a process that may take longer than hand washing dishes, depending on the number that need to be washed. In addition, you shouldn't run a dishwasher when it is not full, so often dirty dishes sit for several hours in the machine until enough dishes are added to run the load. If you live alone or do not cook often, hand washing may be a better choice for you since waiting for a full dishwasher might take several days.

Sanitation

Dishwashers use water at hot temperatures to kill germs and clean effectively and heat water to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of most home water heaters is 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which means water coming from your faucet is approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit, according to The Natural Handyman. While this temperature is safe for most household tasks, it is not hot enough to efficiently sanitize dishes. However, hand washing allows you to clean dishes more thoroughly by targeting stuck-on foods that many dishwashers leave behind. Additionally, many of the soaps designed for use in the dishwasher contain high levels of phosphorus, which causes damage to life in rivers.

Improve Hand Washing

While most experts agree that using a dishwasher to wash dishes is preferable to hand washing, based on water and energy consumption and sanitation, many kitchens are not equipped with dishwashers. If hand washing is your only option, change your dishwashing habits to use less water and kill germs. For two-sided sinks, fill one side with hot soapy water and the other with hot rinse water to avoid running water while rinsing; hot water will make dishes dry quicker, reducing the growth of bacteria. To kill germs, choose an antibacterial dish soap, or add a small amount of bleach to your wash water and wear protective gloves. Scrape food from plates before placing in the dish water to keep the dishwasher as clean as possible. When the water gets cold, add hot water. Let dishes air dry.

References

• DannyLipford.com: Advantages of a Dishwasher Over Hand Washing
• Rodale.com: This or That: Washing the Dishes