Dish Dilemma

When it comes to cleaning up after meals, there is one question that lingers in many households: should I wash these dishes by hand, or load them into the dishwasher? It may seem counterintuitive, but dishwashers (especially newer, Energy Star-rated models) are often more efficient than washing dishes by hand. According to the United States Department of Energy, modern dishwashers use as little as 3 gallons of water per load, while hand washing can use up to 27 gallons for the same amount of dishes. A study by the University of Bonn in Germany found that even the most frugal hand-washers still used over twice as much water as a standard dishwasher cycle. Carol Mehas, CEO and founder of sustainable cleaning company arbOUR, said, "It's so important for us to remind ourselves that our resources are not a bottomless source." Not only does a dishwasher typically use less water, but it also often results in lower greenhouse gas emissions over time. A 2020 analysis by the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that running a fully loaded dishwasher every night generally had a smaller carbon footprint than washing the same number of dishes by hand.

While dishwashers require an upfront investment (typically ranging from $400 to $1,200), the long-term savings can be significant when used properly. According to Energy Star, a standard-sized Energy Star certified dishwasher costs about $55 per year to run, and can save you nearly 4,000 gallons of water during its lifetime. "Energy-certified dishwashers are meant to be 12 percent more energy-efficient and 30 percent more water-efficient than older models," said Anita Spiller, Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at TruEarth. Some newer dishwashers also include "eco" modes that further reduce resource usage, without sacrificing cleanliness. In contrast, hand washing dishes daily can result in higher energy and water bills, particularly if hot water is used liberally or if the faucet is left running.

Cleanliness should also be considered. "People often overestimate how clean their dishes are after hand washing," said Lisa Yakas, a Senior Account Manager and Product Certification Specialist at National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International. Dishwashers can reach temperatures of 130-170 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than most people tolerate when hand washing dishes. "Dishwashers are generally more effective at removing bacteria and germs due to their higher water temperatures and special cycles and features," added Alvin Pullins, a home improvement specialist.

Convenience is another factor. A typical dishwasher cycle takes about 2 hours, but requires just a few minutes of user input. According to Energy Star, using a dishwasher can save you over 230 hours of washing up a year. That's nearly 10 days you get back!

When you're using a dishwasher, here's how to make the most of it. First, skip the pre-rinse; just scrape off the food scraps. Pre-rinsing wastes water and can even confuse sensors in some newer dishwashers. Remember to run full loads, as partial loads waste both water and energy. Then set the dishwasher to eco mode. It may take longer, but it saves both water and power. Finally, air dry when possible. Turning off the heat dry option will reduce energy use.

For those items that can't be put in the dishwasher, hand-washing is not just the smarter choice, but the only choice. Hand-washing items such as nonstick or coated baking pans, wooden utensils, knives, cast iron, and aluminum is the only way to preserve their integrity. Delicate items such as fine china and crystal glassware are worth the time and care to hand-wash.

While there can be a nostalgic simplicity to hand washing dishes, modern dishwashers have the clear edge when it comes to saving water, energy, and money, as well as protecting the environment. So load up the machine, hit start, and let technology do the dirty work - guilt-free!