by Product Specialist
When your hands are at war with plates of crusty, baked-on lasagna, it's hard to realize just how much water is running down the drain. Between rinses, scrubs, and distractions, washing dishes by hand can use 27 gallons of water per load. That's water usage that the environment, and your credit card, will feel. So, how do dishwashers compare? New, environment-friendly dishwashers will use as little as 3 gallons of water in a single load.
The Appliance
There are a lot of dishwashers on the market and sifting through the product details can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the government has labeling systems that help identify the energy and water efficiency of each dishwasher model. The Energy Rating Sticker on your dishwasher rates the amount of energy used in a year, with a star. The more stars, the better energy efficiency.
Similarly, the government has the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme. It also works with a star rating, awarding more stars to those appliances that use comparatively less gallons of water to others on the market. As you shop with water efficiency in mind, look for appliances with high star ratings, and you'll never have to worry about getting your hands soggy again.
The Mindfulness
Dishwashers automatically regulate the amount of water used for each cycle. No matter how many dishes are loaded, the dishwasher will use the same amount. Making sure your dishwasher is full with each load, then, will help you cut down on water usage. Most dishwashers also allow you to choose the type of cycle you need. Not every load requires a heavy rinse or a steam dry. Prepare your dishwashing loads mindfully, and you'll be saving gallons of water.
The Choice
While you can't quite throw away the sponge and pack away the dish soap for good, you can be careful in your purchase of a dishwashing appliance. Find a dishwasher that will support your love for the environment, simplify your life, satisfy your conscience, and save a whole lot of water.
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