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Clean Your Plate: Energy-Saving Dishwashing Tips

Dishwashing Vs. Hand-Washing

Which method uses less energy? Well, it depends on how old your dishwasher is, what settings you use, and how you would wash the dishes by hand. Studies are showing more and more that, when used to maximize energy-saving features, modern dishwashers can outperform all but the most frugal hand washer.

If you currently wash dishes by hand and fill sinks or plastic tubs with water, it’s pretty easy to figure out whether you would use less water with a dishwasher. Simple measure how much water it takes to fill the wash and rinse containers. If you wash dishes by hand two or three times a day, you might be surprised to find out how much water you’re currently using. Newer dishwashers use only 3 to 10 gallons per cycle.

Scrape, Don’t Rinse

Studies show that most people pre-rinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers—certainly those purchased within the last 5 to 10 years—do a superb job of cleaning even heavily soiled dishes. Don’t be tempted to pre-rinse dishes before loading; simply scrape off any food and empty liquids and let the dishwasher do the rest. This will save you time as well as water and energy. If you find you must rinse dishes first, get in the habit of using cold water.

When Filling the Dishwasher

Load dishes according to manufacturer’s instructions. Completely fill the racks to optimize water and energy use, but allow proper water circulation for adequate cleaning.

Wash only full loads.

The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it’s half-full or completely full. Putting dishes in the dishwasher throughout the day and running it once in the evening will use less water and energy than washing dishes by hand throughout the day. If you find that it takes a day or two to get a full load, use the rinse and hold feature common on most newer models. This will prevent build up of dried-on food while saving time and water compared to pre-rinsing each item. The rinse feature typically uses only 1 to 2 gallons of water.

Use Energy-Saving Options

Pay attention to the cycle options on your dishwasher and select the cycle that requires the least amount of energy for the job. Use the no-heat air-dry feature on your dishwasher if it has one. If you have an older dishwasher that doesn’t include this feature, you can turn off the dishwasher after the final rinse cycle is completed and open the door to allow drying. Using the no-heat dry feature or opening and air-drying dishes will increase the drying time, and it could lead to increased spotting, according to some in the industry. But try this method some time to see how well it works for your machine.

Turn Down the Water Heater Temperature

Since the early 1990s, most dishwashers in the U.S. have been sold with built-in heaters to boost water temperature to 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature recommended by manufacturers for optimum dishwashing performance. The advantage to the booster heater is that you can turn down your water heater thermostat, significantly reducing water-heating costs. Resetting your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (typically halfway between the “medium” and “low” settings) will provide adequate hot water for your household needs.

What Not To Put Down Your Drain

Our trash that goes in the can or recycling is waste we have no choice but to face. Whether it’s hauling the trash cans to the sidewalk, bringing recycling to a center–it’s a mass of garbage that we have to contend with. Liquid waste, on the other hand, simply gets rinsed down the drain and it’s “bye-bye never have to think about you again.” It’s a much more expedient process–one that’s hidden from the eyes of any sanitation departments–and one that can wreak waves of environmental chaos, not to mention what it can do to your pipes. We often don’t realize the harm we are doing by what we rinse down our kitchen sinks, bath and shower drains, and even what we flush down our toilets.

In a study published in 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected and analyzed water samples from 139 streams in 30 states. The goal of the study was to measure concentrations of 95 wastewater-related organic chemicals in water. And guess what? One or more of these chemicals were found in 80 percent of the streams sampled. Half of the streams contained seven or more of these chemicals, and about one-third of the streams contained 10 or more of these chemicals. Pharmaceutical and personal-care products are to blame for many of the chemicals found in the USGS study. Research has shown that there can be effects on aquatic organisms like fish and frogs. Lesson here: don’t flush unwanted prescriptions and try to purchase all-natural personal care products.

But another area of concern is kitchen waste–namely fats, oils and greases which can not only clog pipes, but are terrible for sewage systems. According to the Watership Environment Foundation (WEF), sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage home interiors, and threaten the environment. An increasingly common cause of overflows is sewer pipes blocked by grease–this results in raw sewage overflowing in your home or your neighbor’s home; An expensive and unpleasant cleanup that often must be paid for by you, the homeowner; Raw sewage overflowing into parks, yards, and streets; Potential contact with disease-causing organisms; and an increase in operation and maintenance costs for local sewer departments, which causes higher sewer bills for customers.

Where does the grease that causes sewer overflows come from? Much of it from the kitchen sink.

• Meat fats
• Lard
• Cooking oil
• Shortening
• Butter and margarine
• Food scraps
• Baking goods
• Sauces
• Dairy products

Grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes (both on your property and in the streets). Over time, the grease can build up and block the entire pipe. Note that home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. These units only shred solid material into smaller pieces and do not prevent grease from going down the drain. Commercial additives, including detergents, that claim to dissolve grease may pass grease down the line and cause problems in other areas.

WEF suggests these tips to alleviate pipe blockage and sewer overflows:

• Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets.
• Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, and grills and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash for disposal (or recycling where available).
• Do not put grease down garbage disposals. Put baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and empty the drain baskets/strainers into the trash for disposal.
• Speak with your friends and neighbors about the problem of grease in the sewer system and how to keep it out.
• Call your local sewer system authority if you have any questions.

Other things to never wash down your drain:

• Fats, oils or grease from cars or lawnmowers
• Coffee grinds
• Egg shells
• Produce stickers
• Chunks of garbage
• Feminine hygiene products
• Paper towels
• Flushable cat litter
• Rags
• Condoms
• 
  
• Motor oil, transmission fluids, anti-freeze or other toxic chemicals
• Solvents, paints, turpentine, nail polish, polish remover
• Flammable or explosive substances
• Corrosive substances that are either acidic or caustic
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications

Lavender Linen Water

As far back as ancient Egyptian and Greek times, people used lavender, rosemary, tansy, and other herbs for cleaning.

They freshened their linens by placing fragrant sachets, herbs, and flowers in drawers and closets. Homes were “sweetened” with garlands of lavender and mint.

With this simple formula you can “sweeten” your linens, too, and if you aren’t sensitive to essential oils, even use it to freshen and uplift rooms.

Sprinkle on sheets or other other linens to freshen.

Spray onto linens before ironing.

1 teaspoon (100 drops) lavender essential oil
5-10 drops peppermint, spearmint or rosemary essential oil (optional)
2 oz. 80+ proof vodka
24 oz. distilled water

Pour essential oils and vodka into a bottle, cap and shake to emulsion.
Mix with distilled water.

The mix will cloud, and eventually separate.

Shake well before each use.