Dishwashing is one of the most hated chores around the house. It often falls to the bottom of the list, especially if there are other more pressing tasks that need to be done. But what is the best way to wash dishes- by hand or using a dishwasher? Let’s explore both sides and find out!
Hand washing dishes
The most obvious method for cleaning dishes is using your hands. By scrubbing the food and other particles off of your plates, cups, and utensils with water and soap, you get a really nice clean surface. It doesn’t take too long to do either- in fact you can finish it in under half an hour if you’re efficient.
However, there are a few downsides to this approach. For one thing, it takes a lot of energy and can be very straining on your wrists and hands. Even with the use of rubber gloves you may still feel some stinging sensations if you’re scrubbing harshly at any food particles that have gotten stuck.
Another issue is that you need to have access to water and soap. You can’t do this process if the dishwater isn’t working, or if there are no readily available stores nearby. If you’re out camping or something- it just won’t be an option for you!
Dishwasher
A dishwasher will make the process of washing dishes a lot easier. You load it up with all your dirty utensils, turn it on, and wait for it to finish. Then you take out the clean plates without having to worry about dirt or grime covering them!
There are some disadvantages to this method though. For one thing, it takes up a good bit of electricity- so if you have an older home without much insulation, your energy bills are going to skyrocket! It’s best to use the dishwasher sparingly, especially during peak times.
Another thing is that it can be difficult to load this device properly depending on its design. If you don’t load it well enough, the clean dishes may end up dirty and vice versa. It can be a hassle to fix this issue- especially if you’re in a rush.
Pros and cons of hand washing dishes
- You can do this process anywhere as long as you have access to a sink
- It’s a good workout for your hands and wrists, which means it can be healthy
- Cleaning by hand doesn’t take much time or effort
- A good scrubbing gives dishes a nice sparkle
Cons of hand washing dishes
- The process can be very straining on your hands
- You need access to both water and soap, which can be difficult in some situations
- It can take up a lot of time if there are only one or two people around the house
- Doesn’t take much effort since you just have to load
Pros and cons of dishwasher washing dishes
- You don’t have to do any heavy lifting or straining
- It’s quick and won’t take up too much time
- Don’t need access to water or soap, which means it can be done anywhere
Cons of dishwasher washing dishes
- Dishwashers are costly to run so it can at least triple your energy bills
- If you don’t load it properly, it can leave dishes dirty or clean them poorly
Which is better for you- dishwasher vs hand washing?
The better option is the dishwasher. It saves you a considerable amount of energy and time, and won’t cause too much stress on your hands or wrists! While hand washing dishes does give them a nice sparkle, it’s not worth the effort if you have to pay so much more for your energy bills.
Dishwashing is one of those things that many people tend to not enjoy doing. However, throughout history it’s been a necessary task for everyone from royalty to peasants! If you’re interested in the subject I highly recommend reading up on some facts about dishwashing through history
FAQ
What’s the best way to load a dishwasher?
The general rule of thumb is that shorter and wider items should be on the bottom rack while taller and more fragile items should be on top. You can put large dishes wherever as long as they’re not blocking any spaces! A good YouTube video about how to load a dishwasher can be found here.
What’s the best way to clean dishes without using any soap?
The easiest thing you can do is to just rinse your dishes in some hot water before loading them into your dishwasher! A mixture of vinegar and baking soda will also give items a nice shine! The best option though is to just use a dishwasher as it’ll take away the need to scrub and rinse your items over and over.
Can I put my dishes in the dishwasher even if they’re not dirty?
Some people do this as a way of cleaning them without having to hand wash all their plates and cutlery. However, make sure you don’t put anything in there that might end up broken or chip.
Why do I need to use a drying agent with my dishwasher?
A common belief is that if you don’t use a drying agent, dishes won’t dry properly when removed from the machine. While this is true, it’s also very wasteful as most of these agents are just water! You can easily avoid this by just removing clean dishes from the dishwasher as soon as it’s finished.
Conclusion
The dishwasher is a much better option for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of hand washing dishes. It saves you time and energy. If you’re still looking for ways to make this process easier on yourself- we recommend using a drying agent.