Dishwasher vs. Hand-Washing Dishes. Which is better?
Snohomish County major appliance repair helps you determine if the dishwasher or hand washing is better.
The automatic dishwasher is a revolutionary invention that has saved people thousands of hours of standing near the sink, cleaning and scrubbing dishes. Many homeowners have dishwashers in their kitchens and do not take advantage of their time and money-saving properties. Some homeowners question whether or not the dishwasher saves money over hand washing or vice versa. We provided some facts so you can decide which option is best.
First, it’s important to consider the number of dishes washed at one time. The dishwasher is probably your best bet if you have a big family. If you are single and only use a few dishes, then washing them in the sink is a better option. The make and model of the dishwasher also tell you if it is energy efficient. Any dishwasher model made in the past ten years is generally a better choice. Filling up the dishwasher saves energy over washing a few items at a time.
According to greenmatters.com, “Dishwashers save water, are generally more efficient than hand-washing, and can even save you money. Energy-efficient dishwashers meet stringent energy and water-saving efficiency standards set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dishwashers that meet these standards qualify for the Energy Star label from EPA. These dishwashers generally save the average household $25 per year in energy costs.”
You use 27 gallons of water when hand washing a full load of dishes and only 3 gallons of water if using an ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher. That only gives you two minutes to wash all of your dishes to match a dishwasher’s rate of 3 gallons. That’s a lot of back-breaking labor!
You are also using more dish soap to hand wash dishes where you only use a few tablespoons of pre-measured dishwashing liquid for a dishwasher.
Save money while washing dishes
It’s best to skip the fancy features such as heat-dry, rinse-hold, and pre-rinse. They are unnecessary and waste energy. Dishes will air-dry if you open the door after its final rinse.
Whether you are handwashing dishes or using the dishwasher, wait for your dishes to pile up and then wash them all at once. Fill up your sink with soapy water for handwashing dishes, and use a bucket or second sink to rinse in cold water. Never let the water flow over dishes for rinsing.
Maintaining your dishwasher is key to saving money
Dishwashers need maintenance and regular cleaning. The upkeep of your dishwasher preserves its performance and saves you money. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, your dishwasher may lag and not run as efficiently as possible. Using the dishwasher regularly maintains its function rather than only using it occasionally. Cleaning the inside of the dishwasher, including wiping the spray nozzles and drain, helps improve the dishwasher’s essential components. Watch out for clogs in the drain, and be sure to wipe or pull out food particles stuck in hard-to-reach areas.
Whether you prefer to hand wash or use your dishwasher is entirely up to you. However, if you can’t use your dishwasher because it doesn’t work, it is your responsibility to save water.
If you believe that using your dishwasher is the best choice, but you aren’t using it because it’s broken, then it is time to call Appliance Mechanics.
Appliance Mechanics handles dishwasher maintenance, dishwasher repair issues, and more. Your customer experience is always our highest priority. See our dishwasher service page for more information.
When you need to save money, and your dishwasher is broken, don’t panic. Call Appliance Mechanics!
(425) 212-9076
Our Focus is Customer Experience
Appliance Mechanics are the Snohomish County experts in dishwasher repair. We are locally owned and operated. No matter what the problem is, we will diagnose and repair your dishwasher. We will order your parts immediately (if necessary), and we maintain communication with our valued customers all of the time.
The difference with Appliance Mechanics is the quality of service you receive as soon as you call. We provide you with a two-hour window for your technician to arrive so you never have to wait, and they get there on time. Appliance Mechanics has over 25+ years of experience, and our technicians are insured and certified.
Thanks to our loyal customers! Check out our latest review
“Appliance Mechanics was outstanding to work with when my dishwasher needed repair. First off, they take COVID-19 precautions seriously (mask, shoe coverings, disinfecting tools, and iPad). Oliver, the owner, was on time, friendly, and explained things in lay terms. The price was very reasonable. In my case, the dishwasher would not fill with water. When he started working, it was the classic case of when you take a car to a mechanic, it won’t make that sound or run rough – in other words, the dishwater started up for Oliver. He said it’s possible it could be an intermittent problem, but rather than charge me to troubleshoot the numerous possibilities. He would not charge me a second service call if it happened again. Very happy with the level of service from Appliance Mechanics – I cannot recommend them enough” ~ Chuck Peterson
