How to save water when washing dishes

We waste a lot water when we wash the dishes, both by hand and in the dishwasher. Yet for save This consumption, which among other things does not improve the quality of the wash, would be enough:

But the first choice to make, when you lavano i dishes It's between the dishwasher and manual washing. And here several factors come into play, including water consumption. water.

By hand or with the dishwasherWhat about the ancient soaking technique? How best to wash dishes? The question is old, and the answers change, but in the video we offer in this article, you'll have the answers you need.

The consumptions that determine the cost of washing are two: water and electricity (in the case of dishwasher). According to a study by the University of Bonn, washing dishes by hand for a dinner for twelve people results in a consumption of 103 litres of water, while a dishwasher An efficient dishwasher consumes 88 liters for the same amount of dishes. So, less. Then there are the energy costs. Here's the video tutorial, courtesy of Casa.it, which explains in detail, including the different water costs in different cities, the differences in cost between different wash cycles.

Summing up, the dishwasher It costs, on average, 16 cents per wash, equivalent to 60 euros per year. Hand washing varies greatly depending on the cost of tap water: in Milan, it costs 69 euros per year; in Florence, where water costs much more, it costs 118 euros per year. But the most cost-effective wash, in terms of savings, is the one with the old and popular soaking technique: 36 euros per year in Milan, 51 euros in Florence. Still, less than the dishwasher and with lower water consumption. Obviously, in the evaluations to be made one must not underestimate the effort of washing by hand, or by soaking. While the dishwasher it's definitely more comfortable.

Is the dishwasher more eco-friendly?

A 2007 study by the University of Bonn showed that a dishwasher, for the same amount of items to be washed, uses 80 percent less water than a traditional hand wash. Energy consumption, of course, remains a factor, and is higher in the case of dishwashers . But regardless of differing opinions and methods, one thing is certain: a dishwasher's water and energy consumption depends on how it is used and how we manage to avoid waste.

How to use the dishwasher

To use your dishwasher effectively, there are two basic things you need to do. First, thoroughly clean the dishes you put in the appliance. The simplest and most wasteful way is to clean them with leftover paper towels, which are then recycled. The second requirement is to always use the dishwasher with a full load. 

How to wash dishes by hand

When washing dishes by hand, the key savings to keep in mind is water . It should never be wasted, even if it costs less than electricity. And to avoid wasting water, simply soak the dishes in hot water and (a little) detergent, perhaps natural and homemade . Soak them in the sink or a bowl, scrub the dishes with a small sponge, and then rinse under running water. Even when soaking dishes, they should be thoroughly cleaned before soaking.

Mistakes not to be made

• Use cold water: on the contrary, hot water degreases better and eliminates residues.
• Foaming detergent cleans better: it's not true, it could be the other way around
• More detergent, less effort. Another false belief. Overdoing the detergent is a waste of money and time.
• lavare The dirtiest dishes first. Instead, you should start with the cleanest ones.

Read also:

• Homemade liquid laundry detergent
• Homemade ivy detergent
• DIY Dishwasher Detergent
• Homemade dish soap

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