Paper -vs- Plastic. Hand washing -vs- Dish washing. Cloth Towel -vs- Paper Towel. We have all heard the seemingly timeless debates. But recently several studies have come out in the UK showing that dishwashing is better and more efficient than hand washing. Yet others have come out showing that handwashing is more eco-friendly than dishwashing. Why the difference?
In the first study, the most careful hot-water handwashing just about beats a fully loaded dishwasher. This is partly because most people (in the UK at least) do their manual washing up using hot water heated by a gas-fired boiler, whereas dishwashers heat water from cold using electricity. The second study however favors dishwashing because it uses only half the water and only 1/6 of the energy. Much of this matters not though when you consider the cost of an Energy Star dishwasher.
Some of us simply cannot afford dishwashers or live in homes that are too small to fit one. Tiny House would be just one of those homes. So how can we, the dishwasherless, clean our dishes in an eco-friendly manner?
Use Eco-Friendly Dishwashing Soap. While I admittedly not used the following five green dishwashing soaps I have used three and have researched the other two. They are all affordable (less than $5 per bottle), come in 100% recyclable containers, and smell pleasant without leaving sensory residue behind.
- Method Dishwashing Liquid in Go Naked
- Seventh Generation Dish Soap, Lavender Floral and Mint
- Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Hypo-Allergenic
- LifeTree Dish Soap
- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Dish Soap
Use less water. You don’t need to fill the sink up to the brim. A half-sink full of water is enough, even less if possible. I think about all the times my family went camping. Momma had one dish pan and we only filled it about half way. This took care of all plates, bowls, and utensils. If she had a pot or pan to clean she would put a small amount of water inside the pot or pan along with some dish soap. It was almost an instant sink and a great use of space.
The Dip-Cup Technique. Fill one large glass with soap and water. Get a scrub brush. Dip the brush into the glass. Scrub dish. Repeat. I don’t particularly like this method unless I only have 3-4 dishes/silverware to clean. The water quickly gets dirty and oily.
One Rinse Method. Instead of rinsing off every dish one and at a time, try rinsing the entire dish rack at once. Once you’ve washed the dishes, give the dishes a quick once-over with the spray nozzle or the “dip-cup” to remove soap.
Recycle the shower water. Okay. I know how it sounds. But don’t do your dishes in the shower. Instead, after you’ve cleaned your hair and body and the majority of that soap is gone, plug the drain. Finish your shower. Put the leftover hot water in a pan. Boil it. Put water in sink. Do your dishes. Yes, it is a little more time consuming. However, if water conservation is what you are looking to do, this is a great option!
And what about your preferred method of washing? Do you have one? Is your dishwasher something you couldn’t live without? Do you know of a soap that was overlooked in #1? If so, let us know. And as always, please share this link or Tweet out the link so that others can read as well!
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Originally written for my weekly entry on scissorsanddrumsticks.com
Hey Andrew,
Love the Method dishsoap the best. Would highly recommend! We use a plastic dishpan rather than filling the sink – it’s uses a little less water and is essential for us since we only have the one sink at home – but it’s a big one. The little plastic dishpans are cheap and stop your sink from scratching too, not to mention that it’s a water saver. Great post, thx!
You like the Method, huh? Awesome. I have used it to. It is highly concentrated, I think, which would explain it needing less to wash more. Thank you so much for stopping by our page and having a read. You are welcome to come back anytime!
I actually prefer using Dr Bronner’s Sal Suds when doing dishes, one tiny drop will do an entire load. I usually mix it up in one of those foaming dispensers so I can use even less.
You know, I have never used a Dr Bronners product. I keep threatening that I will. Should I just break down and do it?
If you have hard water, Dr. Bronners does not work well because it turns into soap scum. Try getting that out of your hair!
I have used Dr. Bronners for years. When properly diluted one large bottle last a long time. It is great on grease, too.
Thank you for this article. We have debated this with family and friends.
I too prefer Dr. Bronnerʻs Sal Suds. I also use it for hand wash laundry. Itʻs the best grease cutter Iʻve found!
Thank you for this post! I’ve been trying to explain to my other half that washing the dishes by hand saves me a lot more water, time, etc but he keeps claiming the dishwasher is more eco-friendly. When I was the dishes, I don’t even fill up the sink at all! I just squeeze soap on my reusable sponge, run a little water on the sponge, clean off the dishes and let the water run over it to rinse at the end. I only do a few dishes at a time, too (they are washed right away)!
Hey there Laura. Thank you so much for chiming in. Hand washing is a hard sell to a lot of folks. It lacks the convenience and sophistication of dishwashers. We was right away as well (including washing while cooking so as not to have a pile when we finish). Hope to see you here at the r(E)volution more often!
Dishwasher saves water in our home because rinsing uses too much water, also I wash them with the sanitary cycle super hot water cuts down on illnesses. Always fill washer full. Even if you have to buy more dishes.
I hand wash my dishes. When I stopped using the dishwasher, my electric bill dropped by approximately $30 a month.
Some of these are so unconventional. I love it!!!
Thanks for the article! These are some great ideas for being eco-friendly. I have a little kitchen and am not willing to sacrifice basically 1/3 of my cabinet space to add a dishwasher. I want to try the idea of rinsing all the dishes at once. That makes sense, but I never thought of it. What a great idea!
Thanks for the article. I was disappointed when I did not find the “free” dishwashers being given away. I would have to reconfigure my old kitchen to accommodate an automatic dish washer. Thus, I have no choice but to hand wash my dishes. I usually start with very hot water and let the dishes soak. Then, when the water is warm enough, I wash the dishes. I rinse them all at once as well. I, not unlike your mom, tend to wash pots and pans by pouring some of the dish washing water into them individually and washing. I cannot abide a lot of grease on my hands. 🙂
Currently, I use Melaleuca household products, including dish washing liquid and disinfectant. I find them to work well, they’re economical and natural.
I’m not sure what you mean by “free” dishwashers. I have never given away anything like a “free” dishwasher and if you landed on Tiny r(E)volution through a link outside the site, I am sorry for the confusion.
I use baking soda to cut grease. Just sprinkle some in the greasy pan, add some water and let it sit for a minute.
You have outlined the method I use and prefer it to a dishwasher. I have a big single sink that came with a separate pan half as big as the sink, plus a smaller one for draining vegetables, which comes in handy for keeping them up out of the sink. Its basically like a double sink. Loke you, i soak them in the hottest water filled to cover the dishes, and soak them while i do other chores. When i get back to them, i run a brush over them, place them in the smaller pan, turn on the hottest water medium flow, and rince indivually. For the quickest air dry, I separate them in the rack as much as possible. They are ready to put up in 30 minutes. I like the idea of spraying the entire load in the rack if i don’t have items that have to drain on the sides, as glasses do. I learned this method years ago from my uncle.
My husband & I have been “collecting” our waste water for over 15 years. Dish washing water, shower water, hand washing water are all collected by putting a tub in the sink or showering with a small pail at your feet. All water running while waiting for correct temp and all water after wash are transferred to two small pails, one stored in each bathroom. This “waste” water is used for flushing. My version of recycled water.
When I had a dishwasher it was portable, allowing me to capture the drain water.
Why do you need to collect water for flushing? Doesn’t your toilet flush?
Fill a spray bottle with DW liquid and water. Spray the soap on the dishes, rather than filling a sink full of water and adding DW liquid. It saves both soap and water.