It’s an oft-debated topic, with some favouring the running water rinse method, others preferring to fill a bowl and those lucky enough to own a dishwasher rejecting the practice all together.
An argument flung against the dishwasher is the environmental one. Is it better to wash dishes by hand or in a machine which will use a lot of water and electricity. Maid Service Rockville asked the experts their opinions.
The official conclusion is that a dishwasher can be the environmentally friendly solution, more so than washing by hand. It depends on a few factors. Many people when washing dishes in the sink will leave hot water running and use too much liquid soap.
Maid Service Rockville—dishwasher wins out
If you choose the dishwasher option, only run the machine when it’s full, choose the economical cycle and pick green cleaning products, a dishwasher beats the hand-washing version above hands (sorry!) down. Another trick is to set the machine to run in the middle of the night when demands on the grid are not as high.
Manual washing divides into two camps—those who fill the sink or bowl with warm soapy water, and others who prefer to wash under running water. The argument for the latter is that it’s more hygienic, but it can be wasteful—especially if you’re running it under hot water.
Washing your dishes in cold water is the most environmentally friendly choice, but it won’t clean pots and pans used for cooking. Or rather, it will. Eventually. By which time, you’ve died of boredom.
Hand washing tips
So, the other alternative for hand washing dishes is to yes, fill the bowl with warm soapy water. If you have two sinks, fill the second with hot water for a rinse. Wash your dishes as soon as possible as this makes it easier to shift the burnt-on stuff and grease. Make your own dishwashing detergent to further back your green credentials—there’s a ‘recipe’ here, which you can customise by changing the essential oil Jillee recommends.
As far as household cleaning jobs go, we always recommend you spread the love. Everyone in the family needs to take their turn. A shared job makes for a happy household!
Want us to wash your dishes for you? Our regular cleaning services can include dish washing and thorough kitchen cleaning, done using environmentally friendly products.
Here at Budget Maids we provide cleaning services in Arlington, a Maid Service Rockville or cleaning services in Falls Church and surrounds, cleaning services in Olney and Oakton and more. Why not give us a call today and let us help you with all your household cleaning tasks so you can get on with enjoying your summer?
Picture thanks to Karen Arnold on Public Domain Pics.
