Green Daily

Today, most of us probably use dishwashers in an effort to save time and personal energy. Who wants to scrub pots and pans after every meal anyway? The dishwasher is certainly easier but there is also evidence it might be better for the environment than handwashing.

If you handwash, you're more likely to do several loads a day. Each wash probably doesn't use very much water, but over time the gallons add up to a lot. Your dishwasher, on the other hand, probably only needs to run once or twice a week. Thus, the dishwasher will use less water over time than hand washing will. So unless you only use a few dishes a week, then you're better off letting your dishwasher do your dirty work.

Here are a few tips to make you dishwasher run more efficiently:

1. When purchasing a dishwasher, buy Energy Star qualified models. They'll save more water and electricity than other models.
2. Don't pre-rinse. Most dishwasers already perform this action (and they do it more efficiently than you can by hand).
3. Fill your dishwasher completely before running it.
4. Select the proper cycle. If you're not washing pots and pans, don't select the "Pot and Pans" setting. Your dishwasher will waste energy cleaning dishes that don't need the stronger cycle.
5. Air dry your dishes instead of using the dryer cycle.

Sources:

"Dishwashing vs. Handwashing." Treehugger.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/dishwasher_vs_h.php

"Dishwashing and Water Conservation: An Opportunity for Environmental Education." Journal of Extension. http://www.joe.org/joe/2003february/rb3.shtml

"Is Your Home a "Green" House?" National Geographic Magazine.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/everyday/greenhouse/tips.html