Hand washing is cleaner? Dishwasher consumes energy? This is the scientific answer to environmental protection and labor-saving! 7 tips to make dishwashing more environmentally friendly

Washing dishes can be a real chore. No matter which way you do it, you're going to use a lot of energy, whether you're relying on the power of a dishwasher or hand-washing with your own hands. You may be wondering: Which way is more friendly to the earth? Fortunately, science has the answer, and it might surprise you.

According to Real Simple, understanding whether hand washing or machine washing is more environmentally friendly, and how to minimize the impact of this daily household chore on the environment, are both topics worthy of attention.

{9 99} Which dishwashing method is more environmentally friendly?

At first glance, hand washing seems to be the most environmentally friendly way. After all, in addition to water, dishwashers also consume electricity. But in fact, using a dishwasher is better for the environment. A study from the University of Michigan compared machine dishwashing with hand washing. The results showed that using a dishwasher produces less than half the carbon dioxide emissions of hand washing and uses significantly less water than hand washing.

This study takes washing dishes four times a week for ten years as an example:

. Using a dishwasher produces 2,090 kilograms of greenhouse gases, while hand washing produces 5,620 kilograms.

． A dishwasher uses 16,300 gallons of water, while hand washing requires 34,200 gallons.

In addition, dishwashers usually use higher water temperatures than hand washing, which not only makes the dishes cleaner, but also helps with disinfection. For example, Kitchenaid says its dishwashers use about 3 to 4 gallons of water at a time and can reach water temperatures of 155 degrees Fahrenheit, while kitchen faucets use about 1.5 to 2 gallons of water per minute, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

7 tips to make dishwashing more environmentally friendly

No matter which way you choose to wash dishes, there are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Don’t rinse the dishes before washing them

Many people are accustomed to rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, but most modern dishwashers and dishwashing detergents can remove dirt without pre-washing (in fact, it is better if the dishes are dirty). Just scrape off any large pieces of food and throw them in the trash. Skipping pre-wash can reduce energy consumption by about 3% each time.

2. Place the dishes correctly

Improper placement of the dishwasher may result in some dishes not being washed properly, and repeated washing will waste water and electricity.

3. Turn off the heating and drying function

Heating and drying will increase energy consumption by about 11% each time. Switching to natural air drying or manual drying can save energy.

4. Wash the entire machine before starting it

The dishwasher consumes the same amount of energy no matter it is full or half-loaded, so try to fill it with as many dishes as possible each time.

5. Choose an energy-saving dishwasher

When purchasing a new dishwasher, you can choose a model with the Energy Star logo, which means that its energy consumption is lower than that of ordinary dishwashers.

6. Use the "double tank method" when hand washing

Changing the hand washing method can reduce water consumption. If you're used to leaving the faucet on for the entire dishwashing process, this is the most energy-intensive method.

It is recommended to use two sinks (or two basins): one filled with hot soapy water for washing dishes, and the other filled with clean water for rinsing. First scrub the dishes in hot soapy water, then rinse them in clean water, and finally place them on a drying rack to air dry.

7. Soak before hand washing

Put the dishes in warm soapy water for at least 15 minutes to allow the detergent to fully act. Cleaning afterwards requires just a gentle brushing and rinsing, significantly reducing water and energy consumption.