Handwash or Dishwasher?

Question

Personally, I hate doing dishes, but which is better at conserving water?

Answer 1

hand wash using as little water as possible.  you don't need to turn the water on full blast.  just a trickle to wet the plate and a trickle to wash the soap off after you scrub.  Please don't use disposable plates whatever you do.

Answer 2

A modern Energy Star dishwasher will save both water and energy over hand washing.  Since these dishwashers will heat the water, you can set the temperature of your household hot water heater (unless you have the tankless kind) down to 120 degrees.

Remember to wash full loads in your dishwasher since it will use the same amount of energy and water whether it is full or half full.  Also allow your dishes to air dry.

http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2003/09/...

Answer 3

well washing dishes helps if it is a small load but if you have a turkey dinner or something like that then the dishwasher does work. i wouldn't use paperplate because that doesn't help the enviroment at all. look at all different kinds of way that will help if you really like to use a dish washer.

Answer 4

I believe handwashing would save more water. But like some of the others said disposables saves water, because you don't have to clean them at all. Either way the environment is suffering in some way. Maybe recycling the disposables could help a little.

Answer 5

Handwashing, if done properly.

But the difference is small.  

You don't have to do everything according to environmental concerns.  There are plenty of ways to help the environment.  

Use your dishwasher, and do the environmental things that work for you.

Answer 6

Oh good one. Not too sure.... Maybe the dishwasher BC you get more done, and it's easier.

Answer 7

um handwashing is actually better 4 the enviroment, saving energy and dishwasher detergent has lots of harmfull chemicals in it.

but dishwashers use less water as long as u complety fill it up.

Answer 8

hand washing is better in many ways. no electricity, less water use, and your dishes will be much cleaner.

Answer 9

Depends on the method.  I remember years ago in California they had such a horrible water restriction in effect that families would wash a weeks worth of dishes in less than 5 gallons of water.  To save the most on water you should handwash but make sure you wipe as much off as you can before putting in the sink so you don't muck up the water so quickly.

Answer 10

Paper plates- but then there's the landfill issue.

Answer 11

Disposable saves the most water.