Dishwasher vs Hand Wash: When to Use Each Cleaning Method | Unrivaled Guide 2022

When it comes to the debate between handwashing and using a dishwasher, you may be surprised to learn that there is no simple answer in terms of which method is better. . The reality is that both dishwashing methods have pros and cons. Many of us have outdated ideas of what dishwashers are capable of, but these appliances have come a long way since they first became household appliances in the 1970s.

Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of dishwashers and hand washing, and which method is best for various situations.

Today’s dishwashers use less water than hand washing

In the past, dishwashers could use 10 to 15 gallons of water per cycle. Modern dishwashers, on the other hand, are designed with water conservation in mind. In fact, the Department of Energy requires full-size dishwashers to use a maximum of 5 gallons of water per cycle. Energy Star-rated appliances require even lower water usage, at 3.5 gallons per cycle.

The average kitchen faucet has a flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute, which means you’d only have two minutes to wash all the dishes in a dishwasher to match the water efficiency of a dishwasher. a dishwasher. It would be nearly impossible to use less than 5 gallons of water to hand wash a full load of dishes

Another water-saving aspect of modern dishwashers is the fact that there’s no need to pre-rinse your dishes either. According to Consumer Reports, pre-rinsing your dishes can waste up to 6,000 gallons of water each year. Although today’s dishwashers don’t require pre-rinsing, it’s still safe to scrape food scraps into the trash can or compost bin.

Some items require hand washing

Although using a dishwasher can be more energy and water efficient and will undoubtedly save you time, it is not always an option. There are a number of commonly used kitchen items that are not dishwasher safe and must be washed by hand. Some examples include wooden cutting boards, sterling silver cutlery, cast iron cookware, chef’s knives, and non-stick pans. Some handmade fine china and ceramic dishes are also best washed by hand. Many people also have sentimental items that they don’t want to risk damaging in the dishwasher.

Dishwashers are more efficient at cleaning full loads

Using a dishwasher definitely saves time. According to Energy Star, using a dishwasher instead of washing your hands for a year saves you an average of 230 hours of manual labor or almost ten days!

That means dishwashers are the obvious choice if you have a full load, but what if you have a small household that doesn’t produce enough dishes to run it frequently? If you only run your dishwasher every few days, it may be best to wash it by hand. This is because food particles can dry out and clump together if the dishes sit for more than 24 hours before being cleaned. If this happens, your dishwasher may not be able to remove the stuck-on dirt.

You can target difficult spots by washing your hands

Although dishwashers have a number of benefits, including using less water and saving time, there are times when they just can’t compete with hand washing. One thing that even the best dishwashers can’t do is clean stuck-on dirt. If you happen to burn something in the bottom of a pan or a layer of rice sticks to your pan, you’ll need a little elbow grease to clean it up.

Dishwashers can be expensive to buy and repair

Although using a dishwasher can save you money on your utility bills over time, one of the main drawbacks of dishwashers is the initial price. While you can certainly find a dishwasher for less than $500, budget models tend to be noisier and have lower-quality construction. A high-quality dishwasher costs between $500 and $2000 before even taking into account possible repairs. Also, some older homes and apartments are not designed with space for a dishwasher, so a full kitchen remodel may be required in order to make room for one.

Hand washing can be hard on your hands

In order to kill bacteria, most dishwashers use high water temperatures between 140 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures are simply not tolerable for most people when washing hands, so there may be traces of bacteria. Even at lower temperatures, washing dishes by hand can take a toll on your hands. Using dish soap and water can dry out your skin, and if you do manicures regularly, you’ll know that their lifespan is dramatically shortened when you wash dishes by hand. While wearing gloves is an option, you can also choose to just put most of your dishes in the dishwasher instead to save water.

Dishwasher vs Hand Wash | Video Explanation

Your turn to tell us

Both sides make this debate too close to call, so tell us which method you prefer. Do you also have techniques for making your plates and bowls sparkle? Share them with us in the comments below.