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Which is better for the environment; dish washer or hand wash?
I have been hand washing my dishes lately because it is only a little extra step to wash them and set them in the drainer to dry than put them in the dishwasher. Which is better for the environment? to hand wash and air dry or use the dishwasher?
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about 1 year ago
If the dishwasher has a full load, it will use much less hot water (and therefore less energy to heat the water) than hand washing, unless you do a really lousy job of hand washing. Skip the dry cycle on the dishwasher and let the dishes air dry.
about 1 year ago
The detergent you use is the most important ingredient in this question; how much water do you use to wash. Do you want your dishes to be clean and germ free. Dishwasher is safest method, and overall uses about the same amount of water if you wash your dishes in clean water. Air drying ispossible with a dishwasher as well.
about 1 year ago
i think hand wash because you waste more water with the dish washer.i know your hands get wrinkly but try it!
about 1 year ago
hand wash.
about 1 year ago
I agree with you, hand washing. Boil the kettle for the hot water, presoak dishes in cold water, use this and scraps in your compost heap. Wash all the pots and rinse in fresh water. If you use eco friendly products even better.
The other option of course, is to put them in the dishwasher, go outside and plant some fruit and nut trees and perennials such as asparagus and soft fruit. The trees provides habitat for fauna and flora, sequester CO2, provides shade and gives you fruit and nuts each year.
about 1 year ago
The issue is that electricity is needed for dish washing. Hand wash saves that.
In earlier days in India, all coffee grounds and spent tea leaves used to be collected in a container. This was used to remove bulk of the soil from vessels. Coconut fibre (another common item in the house) was used as a scrub. Tamarind and soapnut powder served as cleaning agents instead of detergents.
Plates made out of leaves were used for eating and fingers served better than spoons. This reduced the wash load.
Time was not of much consequence.
about 1 year ago
Use the dishwasher when full, and use the airdry option.