Why Dishwashers Can Be Greener Than Handwashing

 




Why Dishwashers Can Be Greener Than Handwashing

Surprise! Your squeaky-clean eco instincts might be soaking the planet.

🍽️ Wait… Dishwashers Are Better for the Environment?

Yes, really.

It sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Surely standing at the sink with a sponge, some elbow grease, and a splash of Fairy Liquid must be more planet-friendly than running a humming box of buttons and jets?

But modern dishwashers are surprisingly efficient — and when used correctly, they can outperform handwashing in water and energy use.

Let’s rinse off the myths.

💧 The Numbers Don’t Lie

MethodWater Used Per Load
Handwashing (tap on)40–100 litres
Dishwasher (modern A-rated)9–12 litres
Handwashing (bowl only)~9–15 litres

  • Energy use? Dishwashers use less if you don’t pre-rinse and run them full.

  • Hot water? They heat their own water more efficiently than your boiler.

  • Cleaning power? Higher temps = better bacteria kill.

So yes, if you wash up under a running tap — you’re soaking the planet (and your gas bill).

🧽 But What About the Sponge Argument?

Sure, dishwashers use electricity and detergent.
But sponges and washing-up brushes wear out fast, often contain plastic, and get binned regularly.

Dishwashers = less single-use plastic waste.
Bonus points for using eco-detergents and short cycles.

✅ How to Make Your Dishwasher Even Greener

  1. Skip the rinse – Scrape plates, don’t pre-wash

  2. Only run full loads – Partial loads waste water and power

  3. Use eco or short cycles – They clean well without the boil wash

  4. Air-dry dishes – Skip the heat-dry cycle where possible

  5. Choose an A-rated model – Newer = more efficient

  6. Use a dishwasher-safe filter – It catches food bits without wasting water

🚰 Still Prefer Handwashing?

No judgment — but:

  • Use a washing-up bowl, not a running tap

  • Wash the least greasy items first

  • Avoid super-hot water (your boiler works harder than you think)

  • Consider a water-saving tap aerator

Final Thought

Your dishwasher might be humming in the corner like an energy hog — but it’s more eco-savvy than you give it credit for.

When used wisely, dishwashers:

  • Use less water

  • Use energy efficiently

  • Save time (and arguments over the washing up)

So unless you’re handwashing with a bowl of rainwater and organic soap, your dishwasher might be the greener choice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Caffeine With a Conscience: Sustainable Coffee at Home

Image
  Caffeine With a Conscience: Sustainable Coffee at Home ( How to keep your brew strong but your footprint light ) For many of us, coffee is less a drink and more a survival mechanism. But behind every comforting cup is an industry that comes with a hefty environmental and social cost. From deforestation to exploitative labour , the true price of coffee can be far higher than what you pay at the till. The good news? You don’t have to give it up. You just need to drink it smarter. The Hidden Cost of Coffee Coffee production is linked to deforestation, water waste , and pesticide use . Global demand encourages intensive farming that depletes soils and biodiversity . Billions of single-use cups and pods end up in landfill every year. Your morning pick-me-up doesn’t have to be part of the problem. Choose Better Beans Look for certifications that mean something: Fairtrade : Farmers get a fairer deal. Rainforest Alliance : Supports biodiversity and sustainab...
Read more

Terracycling Explained: Because Some Plastics Just Won’t Die

Image
  Terracycling Explained: Because Some Plastics Just Won’t Die ( And yet somehow still end up in my cupboard ) We all know the recycling drill: bottles, cans, paper, cardboard. Simple enough. But then you’re left holding a crisp packet , a toothpaste tube , or that mysterious plastic wrapper that looks recyclable but definitely isn’t . Welcome to the world of Terracycle – where the plastics that haunt your kitchen finally get a second chance. 🧟 The Problem: Zombie Plastics Some plastics refuse to die. Local councils won’t take them because they’re: Mixed materials (foil + plastic = nightmare) Too lightweight to sort Too low-value to recycle profitably Result? Landfill . Incineration . Ocean. Repeat. 🧩 The Terracycle Solution Terracycle runs specialist recycling schemes for things that normally can’t be recycled: Crisp & snack packets Toothpaste tubes & brushes Coffee pods Make-up containers Rubber gloves Even cigarette butts (ye...
Read more

The Life Cycle of a T-Shirt: From Cotton Field to Charity Shop

Image
  The Life Cycle of a T-Shirt: From Cotton Field to Charity Shop — And why that “£4 bargain” might cost more than you think A T-shirt. Soft. Comfy. Probably cheap. But what’s the real story behind it? That innocent piece of cotton in your wardrobe may have travelled thousands of miles, consumed gallons of water, and been sewn in conditions you wouldn’t wish on anyone — all before you wore it twice and chucked it in the back of the drawer. Let’s follow the journey of the humble T-shirt. Step 1: Cotton Farming Most T-shirts start life in cotton fields — in countries like India, China, or the US. It takes around 2,700 litres of water to produce just one cotton T-shirt — that’s one person’s drinking water for 2.5 years. Pesticides and fertilisers used in non-organic cotton farming can harm local ecosystems and workers' health. Step 2: Spinning, Dyeing & Knitting Once harvested, cotton is: Spun into yarn Knitted into fabric Dyed (often with chemical...
Read more