Dishwashers vs by hand

**outnumbered** · 01-11-2009, 11:29 AM

Is it more cost effective to do dishes by hand, or to use the dishwasher? We have one, but honestly, it seems that the dishes come out dirtier than when they went in sometimes, so we have been doing them by hand lately, but I wonder if I am actually saving anything (other than aggrivation) by doing this....

**madhen** · 01-11-2009, 11:37 AM

I'm curious about this, as well. I have been told that the dishwasher is more water-efficient, because you are rinsing each individual dish. However, I have a double-sink, so I wash several, place the washed dish in the second sink, then rinse four or five at a time.

I agree with the dishwasher not getting things clean, though. I thought it was just that I had a cheap dishwasher, but when it failed, I got a better one, and the dishes still come out with sediment all over them. I started "pre-washing" everything, then figured I may as well just WASH them if I were going to "pre-wash" them.

So now my dishwasher is just a big dish rack.

**elphie** · 01-11-2009, 11:40 AM

According to Amy D. if you already own a dishwasher and you only run it when full it is more cost effective to use the dishwasher, even if you rinse them first. I can't remember her exact calculations but they are in TG. If you don't own a dishwasher and must buy one however it would take years to recoup the cost, then it becomes a matter of your willingness to pay for the convienence.

**Milly** · 01-11-2009, 11:43 AM

My rule of thumb on this one has to do with the size of the item. I hand wash large pots and oversized things and put the rest in the dishwasher. I figure, one sink of hot, soapy water is all I need to clean a TON of large items (like turkey roasting pans) but the little ones (like silverware) are better off in the dishwasher.

FYI, if your dishwasher doesn't seem to clean as well as it used to, it might need a cleaning. Google "How to clean a dishwasher" for advice on this topic. (They still won't let me post URLs.)

**ladykemma2** · 01-11-2009, 11:46 AM

i do mine by hand, unless there are a lot. i decided to use my fine china and sterling everyday. can't go into the dishwasher anyway. i don't run the water, i fill the basins with rinse water. my pots and pans are calphalon and can't go into the dishawasher.

i have one, it's admiral industrial strength from home depot. very loud.

.

**joyofsix** · 01-11-2009, 11:47 AM

I've wondered that but since I don't have a dishwasher it's a moot point. I do use a dish pan like my mom did so I'm not filling a whole sink full of water.

**thefrug** · 01-11-2009, 11:51 AM

If you live on a well, dishwashers are more water efficient. Once in a while some of my dishes come out still "dirty", but then I know it's time to change the house water filters, and then it cleans like new again. I noticed long ago that colds and such don't hang around as long when I use the dishwasher. And while it's doing it's thing I can be doing the cast iron and bigger pots. It saves me time which imo is always good LOL

**PrairieRose** · 01-11-2009, 12:09 PM

For me personally.....time and energy (my own personal) efficiency is as important to me as financial efficiency. I have a great Kitchenaide dishwasher (bought new when I redid my kitchen a couple of years ago) and that thing will wash paint off of a car. I only ever have to pre rinse things like dried on egg or oatmeal. Everything else just goes into the d.w., wait till the thing is full, run it. Things come out sparkling clean and I'm very happy with the time and energy on my part (ok I admit it, the older I get the lazier I get when it comes to housekeeping---I want more bang for my buck) I'm thrilled to have it and use it. It would be bargain for me at 10X's the cost. Now, if it didn't work and I was having to pre wash everything to wash it, I wouldn't use it.

**ladykemma2** · 01-11-2009, 12:18 PM

i have never understood why people wash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. my MIL used to do this.

**ladykemma2** · 01-11-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by thefrug

If you live on a well, dishwashers are more water efficient. Once in a while some of my dishes come out still "dirty", but then I know it's time to change the house water filters, and then it cleans like new again. I noticed long ago that colds and such don't hang around as long when I use the dishwasher. And while it's doing it's thing I can be doing the cast iron and bigger pots. It saves me time which imo is always good LOL

what is a house water filter? where is it?

**Patty A** · 01-11-2009, 12:23 PM

I have to wonder if family size plays a roll in all of this. Having dishes sit in the dishwasher waiting for a full load might make it nasty if they sit a long time waiting. Another thing I was told was a dishwasher takes 25-50 gallons of water to do a full cycle (depending on model and make). A typical household sink holds 5 to 6 gallons of water. Then you have to figure in the cost of soaps and jet dry type things. If you wash by hand you can save the gray water and take it to the plants or yard. As far as sanitation goes you can always add a few drop of clorox to the rinse water to make sure "bugs" don't spread.

**champagnium** · 01-11-2009, 12:23 PM

I ADORE my dishwasher..........that is something I won't give up . lol..growing up doing the dishes every night after supper was my job and I hated it, so I love my dishwasher lol.

**Gibs** · 01-11-2009, 12:31 PM

I rinse all my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, my dishwasher is an older one, and I dont really scrub the dishes or anything just run water over them to get anything off, and then put them in the dishwasher. I hate washing dishes so I dont mind having to do this so that I can be sure the dishes come out clean.

**elphie** · 01-11-2009, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Patty A

Then you have to figure in the cost of soaps and jet dry type things.

Hey Patty, I make my own dishwasher detergent and use vinegar in my rinse cycle instead of jet dry. I haven't found a recipe for regular sink style dish washing that I like yet so it is much cheaper for me to use my dishwasher.

I also HATE doing dishes, if I had nothing else to do in this life but eat bon bons and wash dishes I'd still have dirty dishes in the sink cause I just avoid them, so even if it wasn't more economical for me I'd probably still use my dishwasher, lol. Guess its good I've found ways to make it cheaper.

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-11-2009, 01:28 PM

It depends on your dishwasher and your dishwashing technique. It also depends on how much you pay for water, hot water, and electricity.

Dishwashers apparently use less water, provided you do not pre-rinse/wash your dishes, but they use electricity. My water is cheap, my electricity is not. It costs me more to run my dishwasher than to do them by hand.

Mine also come out dirty in the dishwasher unless I use expensive dishwashing tabs. So the soap for the dishwasher costs me more.

I did my dishes by hand for about a year and it amounted to about $25 a month in savings. I stopped though because I got overwhelmed with the workload.