Dishwasher or hand washing?

cybervic

Hi,

There's been an argument in our household today and I wonder if I can find the answer here.

Is it cheaper to wash dishes by hand or with dishwasher?

We've decided to use dishwasher 2 years ago because it's more environmental friendly. I tend to put EVERY plates/bowls/cups/glass/mug...etc I use into dishwasher even if it's only been used once. OH recently not happy with me loading up the dishwasher too quickly. She thinks the dishwasher tablets are more expansive than washing liquid and there's also electricity costs, too. She had said that our water bill is fixed so it'd work out cheaper if I didn't put in small plates and mugs that only need to be quickly rinsed (without using any detergents).

I've tried to google some facts but couldn't really find anything solid to suggest who's right.


Am I the only one that put EVERYTHING into dishwasher? (including say a glass/mug that's only been use once for drinking water, or a plate that only had toasts/bread on it.

wallbash

No I put everything in
Toothmugs,also washing up brush come to mind.

cybervic

Toothbrush sounds like a good idea, I'll definitely put it in tonight.:rotfl:

OH agrees to rinse all lightly soiled items because she takes care of all type of washing in the house anyway. I do still feel it isn't a efficient way and still (secretly) want to put everything in the dishwasher, but I guess I can't really say much if I don't have to wash anything afterall. :lipsrseal

hmc

we put everything in that can,dogs bowls included
the amount of water i run off till the hot comes through(combi boiler) is daft,sure dishwasher cheaper in long run.tell her to use powder in washer its cheaper

Sponge

I used to have a slimline dishwasher, but after it broke last year I decided not to replace it. I came to the conclusion that it was too expensive and hand washing was cheaper.

Factoring in the cost of the machine, (electrically) heating the water, the tablets/powder/rinse agent and the fact they never actually get all of the dishes 100% clean, I think hand washing is better.

Example - if you wash a tea cup immediately after use it simply requires a (warm) rinse and wipe. No detergent, no scrubbing.

And there's also the damage. I've tried all the tablets that advertise how gentle they are, but I have dishes that are scratched to !!!!!!y from being cleaned in a dishwasher. I have sets of cups, some exclusively hand washed, some washed in a dishwasher - you can tell which is which.

McKneff

There cant be too much difference in cost. and actually i dont care anyway. Everything goes into my dishwasher, lifes too short for washing up.;)

beaker141

I always had it in my head that dishwashers were expensive, looked up a couple of figures though and its not that bad.

Elec consumption 1.1 Kwh = about 13p
Water consumption 15 litres = about 4p

So for £5 a month you can have someone do the washing up for you ! (ignoring cost of tablets and initial purchase).

wallbash

lifes too short for washing up

So for £5 a month you can have someone do the washing up for you !

:T

cybervic

Do you guys put in pots, frying/sauce pans and woks, too? I always wanted to put them in but they took up quite a lot of spaces in dishwasher.

cocktail

cybervic wrote: »

Do you guys put in pots, frying/sauce pans and woks, too? I always wanted to put them in but they took up quite a lot of spaces in dishwasher.

everything. usually come out sparkling clean.

wallbash

frying/sauce pans

In our case yes BUT a proper Chief will only wipe a frying pan , no dishwasher and no scouring pads.
Also not the WOK , that does take up too much room.Also normally easy to clean.