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Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Flaxbee

(13,661 posts)

11. Treehugger discusses the issue here:

Reply to hlthe2b (Original post)

Mon Jun 4, 2012, 09:41 PM

Jun 2012

http://www.treehugger.com/kitchen-design/built-in-dishwashers-vs-hand-washing-which-is-greener.html

I don't have a dishwasher; haven't since 2004 --- but it's only me and my husband 99.999% of the time so there isn't a big volume of dishes. I'd still like one, though. I have some rubber gloves I use and make sure the water is very hot when rinsing. The soap you use should kill any bacteria ... then a good rinse would be fine.

But then again, we don't prepare or eat much meat, so our germ load does tend to be lower than people who touch/prepare raw meats.

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Highlight:

Dishwasher versus handwashing for multiple small loads: efficiency pros and cons... [View all] hlthe2b Jun 2012 OP

As I understand it dishwashers are far less efficient than handwashing intaglio Jun 2012 #1

Tap water is not hot enough to kill the germs. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2012 #2

Yes... especially during cold & flu season... or in a commercial kitchen a madatory... hlthe2b Jun 2012 #4

My mother and grandmother had dishwashers in the 1950s. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2012 #7

No one is saying they aren't a good idea.. Food handling practices are just as likely hlthe2b Jun 2012 #8

Dishwashers use tap water. Kaleva Jun 2012 #13

Our new dishwasher is extremely efficient SeattleVet Jun 2012 #3

I hand wash and Curmudgeoness Jun 2012 #5

Yes, but dishwashers have a heating coil in the bottom to get the water hotter. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2012 #6

OK, I did know about the heat drying, but Curmudgeoness Jun 2012 #9

No. They are used to help keep the water hot and to dry Kaleva Jun 2012 #14

I am lucky to have a saltwater pump. cbayer Jun 2012 #10

Treehugger discusses the issue here: Flaxbee Jun 2012 #11

Thanks, that article was what I was looking for... hlthe2b Jun 2012 #12

I do not even own a dishwasher RebelOne Jun 2012 #15

I usually live alone, and the only reason I use my dishwasher is to wash the cat food bowls yardwork Jun 2012 #16

Doesn't vigorous scrubbing matter? jade3000 Jul 2012 #17