Cate in NZ Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I've just loaded my dishwasher, and switched it on, but it got me thinking. In terms of green-ness, which is better- a dishwasher, or hand-washing? We're a family of 4, and consequently generate a fair bit of washing up. Breakfast, lunch (although we're usually all out during the week, but there's still packed lunch boxes to wash) & our evening meal (and I am a cook it from scratch person, so lots of chopping boards, pots & pans get used), plus after school snacks and drinks throughout the day. My dishwasher gets switched on every other day, except weekends when it's invariably on both days But I hate sinks piled with dirty washing, and crockery draining dry, and I don't like tea-towels & dishcloths- harbouring germs , so I change them daily as it is with minimal handwashing (I only handwash wooden items, very delicate glassware and a few saucepans)..... heaven only knows how many I'd get through if I hand-washed everything. And I'd be washing up frequently throughout the day, at least 3 times daily, probably more. So which is the most ecologically sound? Running a dishwasher with all that water and electricity, or handwashing, with less water, but doing it more often, using hot water and more detergent? This is only just posted out of curiosity. I love my dishwasher, and have no intention of changing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunee1 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I have a stupidly small round sink about the same size as one of my big dinner plates i'm a cook from scratch person too and it can be hell, fortunately i only work part time so it's not to bad , but i think if i worked full time of there were any more additions to the family...i'd have to go for a dish washer if only for the bulk of it (as i hate squeeky glasses out of the dish washer) It is a tricky debate i'm stuck on this one too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I understand that dishwashers are actually more eco-friendly - as long as you fill them up completely before sticking them on. There should be an energy efficiency label on them which will tell you about how much water they use. Some will use as little as 16 litres per cycle. Make sure you use a "green" dishwasher powder / tablet, like ecover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehallfamily Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Hi we are 5 at our house and our dishwasher pattern is the same as yours!! When we got this one - its a Bosch, there was load of info saying it is much more eco friendly to use than hand-washing. Apparently dishwasher use their water much more efficiently and kill all the germs that teatowels leave on your stuff...lovely! Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I understand that dishwashers are actually more eco-friendly - as long as you fill them up completely before sticking them on. There should be an energy efficiency label on them which will tell you about how much water they use. Some will use as little as 16 litres per cycle. Make sure you use a "green" dishwasher powder / tablet, like ecover That saved me a load of typing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 You are entirely welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehallfamily Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 The BBC have this water calculator on their site at the mo.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/5086298.stm Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I'm thinking of getting one when I eventually re-model the kitchen, prehaps one of those half sized ones. I used to be totally against them, especially as it's only Rosie and I,but I cook from scratch too, and now Phil drops round for lunch as well. He doesn't cook, but always washes up by taking my stuff up to his house and putting it in the dishwasher I must say that it does come out lovely and sparkly. I don't knwo what dishwasher tablets my sister uses, but all her stuff smells of peaches - yuk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted June 16, 2006 Author Share Posted June 16, 2006 Hey, great news, thanks all. I'm quite chuffed to be able to use my dishwasher with a clear conscience . Oh, and yes Mel.... I do use Ecover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I like dishwashers. I used to have eczema on my hands but it cleared up completely after we got a dishwasher installed when we had our kitchen done at the end of last year. Before that we ... well, I, (adopts martyr pose and polishes halo) ... washed up everything by hand. Richard T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 if you lick your plate properly after eating you don't need a dishwasher.... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 A friend and I had this debate recently, there are 6 of us and cook from scratch, I don't put in some pans or oven trays as they take up so much room but then I jam pack the dishwasher to make it as efficient as poss I also read that some can be eco friendly too karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I'm thinking of getting one when I eventually re-model the kitchen, prehaps one of those half sized ones. There's only 2 of us, so we've had a half sized one in this house & the last. It's great: we usually run it once a day. It's also coped with all the stuff from a dinner party for 8 people, as long as its empty to start with, and you don't expect it to do load of serving/cooking dishes/utensils too. In fact when you're entertaining & have very little worksurface, its invaluable. We have an 'eco' model, and have also read that - as long as its well used - its more ecological than handwashing. It certainly gets things nice & sparkly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 My dishwasher is ancient so not energy saving. I put in everything, pans, wooden spoons, dishcloths and scouring sponges. It gets used everyday. My kitchen sink and draining board are tiny, it would take ages to wash everything up by hand. I have never seen Ecover dishwashing powder and tablets, something else to ask Tescos about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Haven't got room for one so my dishwasher is yellow and rubbery . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Life without a dishwasher for me is not life I worked out I spent at least 1 hour per day washing up when my children were small That is 365 hours per year ............ Assuming a 37 hour week that is nearly 10 weeks washing up every year and at a modest £7 per hour is over £2,500 pounds lost wages per year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcotton Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 we do have a dishwasher too but to me its everything in moderation..I don't fill it with lots of large things every day ( I handwash these) and probably run it every other day. Ours is definitely more economical on water than washing up so I figure if I can get OH to crack on with the solar energy bit I can use it with a clear conscience (anything for an easy life in our house at the moment - too many small children dirtying too many things ) Mel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I have a Bosch slimline which I use overnight every day. There are 6 of us, so I think we do quite well. BUT, I had my previous dishwasher (also a Bosch) for 13 years and loved it. The wash cycle was about an hour long. The new one (just updated) takes 2 hours, which I don't find very helpful. It's fine overnight but when we're entertaining I used to be able to put the dishwasher on before serving the meal (particularly if people have had drinks before the meal) and it would be finished in time for drinks after dinner and could be reloaded. The new one takes so long, this isn't possible and consequently clearing up afterwards takes ages. My kitchen is tiny so I can't have a bigger machine and washing/drying up takes ages because of the limited space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 The other thing I think worth mentioning is that I have started trying to reduce the cleaning programme I use on both the washing machine and dishwasher. No point in having them run for longer or use any more water than they have to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 I use the time saver option on my washing machine. The cycle takes 45 minutes. All my laundry is washed at 40oc. The washing machine has a 7kg drum which means in one load I can fit all the bedding (4 pillowcases, bottom sheet and duvet cover) from a king size bed and a double bed and a single bed set 2 pillowcases, bottom sheet and duvet cover. The dishwasher setting I use is the economy one which also takes about 45 minutes and washes at 65oc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 if you lick your plate properly after eating you don't need a dishwasher.... Phil We get our woggles to lick plates clean - saves two jobs in one - feeding the dogs and washing up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 I did actually visit someone once who offered me a cup of tea. You kind of get a feel as to whehter or not to say yes (even if you dont always see the kitchen) He made himself a cup, licked the teaspoon after stiring the tea,,,,,. and put it back in the drawer - now that's taking being green and saving water TOO far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Definately! I used to organise home care services for years, and saw & heard about some awful behaviours. And a lot of really sad things. It always seemed to be the richest old people who put themselves through the most deprivation - eating mouldy bread & having sour milk in their tea. And if they were thinking about what their children would inherit you could bet that those children lived many many miles away and visited once in a blue moon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 I did actually visit someone once who offered me a cup of tea. You kind of get a feel as to whehter or not to say yes (even if you dont always see the kitchen)He made himself a cup, licked the teaspoon after stiring the tea,,,,,. and put it back in the drawer - now that's taking being green and saving water TOO far Ugghhh, that is DISGUSTING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunee1 Posted June 19, 2006 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Oh i clean and help out an 85 yr old and a 90yr old, threre's a serious lack of cleanliness there , and yes their children live abroad!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
