Is it better to wash by hand or in the dishwasher? The difference is really big, don’t get me wrong

Most of us have a dishwasher at home and it is often one of our most valuable helpers. It saves a lot of time even for uncommon jobs, and is economical in terms of energy, water and detergent consumption.

But is that still the case today, when electricity prices are rising to unexpected heights and water prices are slowly starting to be talked about? Wouldn’t it be better to go back to washing hands?

Let’s look at it together.

When is a dishwasher economical?

The logical assumption when it is beneficial to wash dishes in a dishwasher is when the appliance is full. A full dishwasher uses only one-third and a half less energy and less water than washing by hand.

According to a study conducted in Bonn, Germany, a dishwasher consumes about 15 liters of water when fully loaded, while it is about 46 liters when washed by hand. And if you rinse the dishes under running water, it can hold up to 150 liters of water.

According to the same study, dishwasher owners spend an average of 10 minutes a day washing dishes. This is the time it takes to put dishes in and out of the dishwasher, while washing them by hand can take an hour. And we can do a lot of other useful work during the hour.

The dishwasher also disinfects our dishes, Because it uses temperatures that our hands can’t stand. It is usually above 65 ° C, but this temperature is only needed when washing pieces that have come into contact with meat or fish. Otherwise, it is sufficient to use it once a month to help dissolve body fat deposits.

Use eco software

For regular washing, the Eco program is most useful, which is already built into the settings of most dishwashers today. Many consumers doubt its effectiveness because it is disproportionately long compared to others. But the environmental program uses much less water and energy than other programs. Although it saves time, it takes more energy.

How do you make hand washing more economical?

If you only need to wash a few items, hand washing is more economical.

If you don’t have a dishwasher and only wash dishes by hand, wash them immediately after eating. Don’t let the residue dry on it, as you’ll use more water by soaking it.

Pour hot water, add detergent and just use it. Rinse dishes cold and only if you need to rinse off the detergent. Wash the least dirty parts first to keep the water clean for as long as possible.

Also consider purchasing an economical washbasin faucet, Which is called aeration of running water and thus not only reduces water consumption, but also reduces the energy required to heat it.

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