Episode 1: What We Learned, Hand Washing Dishes

While we were trying to find out whether hand washing dishes uses less energy than machine washing them, we did research, talked to experts, and did our testing. As we did, we learned a few things - some of which you probably already know, and some you might not.

Here’s what we learned about hand washing dishes:

• If done correctly, hand washing your dishes can be pretty darned efficient. So efficient, in fact, that it can edge out the highest efficiency dishwasher on the market today.
• The most efficient hand washing method is to use two sinks (or a sink and a basin); one for soaking and washing, and one for rinsing.
• If you can’t break the habit of letting the water run to rinse the dishes, you’re best off using the dishwasher and running full loads.
• You don’t have to fill your sinks all the way up. Half-full sinks take less water to fill, and, importantly, less water to refill if your water gets too dirty.
• Put your soap in after you have finished putting water in the wash sink, and give it a good mix. This will keep your soap in the sink (rather than in bubbles) where it will do the most good.
• Give your dishes a good scrape before you wash them. That way the water (and soap) will last longer.
• Clean from the cleanest dishes to the dirtiest. This allows dirty dishes to soak longer and makes sure that your relatively clean dishes aren’t exposed to oil and food from the dirtier dishes.
• Don’t run the rinse water.
• Wash all your dishes at once, rather than cleaning them throughout the day. That way the water that you use to wash with can go farther.

Ok, those are some of our findings. Have questions or more tips? Leave us a comment and let us know!