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Becoming Minimalist

Own less. Live more. Finding minimalism in a world of consumerism.

Why I Stopped Using a Dishwasher

Written by joshua becker · 391 Comments

Recently, I decided to give the mindful practice of

You can probably just chalk it up to a life habit that I never gave opportunity… but I have always washed my dishes in a dishwasher. In fact, nearly every day of my life I have used a dishwasher. Go figure. My parents used one. My grandparents used one. It’s been in every home I have lived in…. and when it wasn’t available (broken or kitchen remodelings), it was a source of great stress. Dishwashers get loaded, started, and emptied. End of story. Or so I thought.

Recently, I have begun washing dishes by hand immediately following every meal. Months ago, I read a famous zen story titled, “Wash Your Bowl” (via Leo Babauta) and have considered its meaning ever since.

As a result, I decided to give the mindful practice of “washing my bowl” a literal shot in my life. I began washing every dish following every meal. And since then, I have almost completely stopped using the dishwasher.

I love it. Here are the practical benefits I have seen:

  1. Less Physical Clutter. How often were dirty plates, bowls, and glassware left on my kitchen counter following a meal just waiting to be loaded in the dishwasher? Far more often than I would like to admit, that’s for sure. Each time, physical clutter was left on my kitchen counter, table, and sink.
  2. Less Mental Clutter. An unfinished project clutters the mind… always. Even when we were not in the kitchen, the pending responsibility of needing to clean the dishes was always hanging over our evening events. And we were specifically reminded every time we walked into (or even past) our kitchen.
  3. Seamlessly Transition Between Activities. Once the mind clutter of dirty dishes has been removed, we are freed to move from activity to activity, event to event, and room to room. We are allowed to be fully engaged in the present… however we choose to spend our evenings. There is no need to return to the past and finish the duties of our meal.
  4. Dishes are Always Clean. Ever need that one mixing bowl, pot, or cooking utensil, only to find out that it’s still dirty sitting in the dishwasher? Yeah, me too. Washing dishes after every meal means the dishes and cooking utensils are always clean and in their drawer.
  5. Dishes get Cleaner. Perhaps, the age of my built-in dishwasher has something to do with it, but I always hated pulling a bowl or plate out of the dishwasher that didn’t quite get all the way clean. And now I never do. Dishes are cleaned fully, everytime.
  6. It Takes Less Time. It came as a surprise, but I truly believe that washing our dishes after every meal has taken less time than loading/running/unloading the dishwasher. After most meals, it takes only 2-3 minutes to handwash each item. Cups are a snap. And most plates are a breeze to clean immediately following a meal.
  7. Example for My Kids. My kids see parents who finish what they start, aren’t afraid to put in a little effort, and leave a room cleaner than they found it. And those are life disciplines that I hope they embrace every day of their lives as they get older.
  8. It Brings Personal Satisfaction. There is a level of satisfaction in life that accompanies working with our hands and accomplishing a task without the need for mechanical intervention. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against machines. In many ways, they allow us to accomplish and create more than we could without them. I’m just saying there is a simple satisfaction in reminding ourselves that we can still live joyfully without them.

To accomplish the task of washing dishes immediately after every meal, I use three items: a dish wand, a sink rack, and a towel. I wash, dry, and put away. And with every practice in life, I own it – not the other way around. When we entertain or have a large meal that uses a number of cooking pots and pans, we still use the dishwasher.

It’s been a practical step of living intentionally. It’s been a process of choosing to question my life assumptions and live mindfully in all facets. And in that way, maybe it’s more than I just never gave it an opportunity… maybe it’s more honest to say that I never chose to live this intentionally ever before.

Comments

  1. Peggy says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:59 AM

    I have a dish washer in this house and in my previous home. I do not use them. I wash by hand, rinse in the second sink and stack on a towel. When the dishes are dry I put them away and hang the towel. The dishes are cleaner and no quality control inspection is needed when unloading.

    Reply
  2. Lisa T. says

    March 14, 2023 at 5:50 PM

    I have been without a dishwasher for 8 1/2 years and I hate every second of not having one. Period. Zero joy in doing them. Zero satisfaction.

    Reply
    • Michelle Duff says

      March 15, 2023 at 2:40 AM

      My dishwasher has broken and I intend to have it repaired. Washing up after every meal uses more water and dish cleaner. Stacking the dishwasher takes very little time. After a lovely meal where the wine has flowed along with the conversation who really wants to stand at the sink with your hands in dirty, greasy water while everyone else is tucking into the coffee and mints/truffles. I am not a martyr, I want my food digested and a sit down with my family and friends.

      Reply
  3. Bruce Stahl says

    October 6, 2022 at 7:49 PM

    We’ve been married 40 years and do not use a dishwasher. It does work really well at cleaning my caps though!

    Reply
  4. Lori Sallette-Etheridge says

    October 6, 2022 at 8:39 AM

    I have been washing my dishes by hand for years now. Instead of using a sink drain or dish drain to allow them to dry, I use the DISHWASHER as my dish drain! Less clutter! In addition to all the positives listed in your article, I love the warmth of the water. It’s become therapeutic to me. And mostly I love always having the dishes I need RIGHT where they belong.

    Reply
    • Lil says

      October 6, 2022 at 3:02 PM

      I have always washed my dishes by hand. Love having a clean counter and sink. If I’m baking or cooking I wash bowls/utensils as I finish with them. It’s amazing how little time this takes.

      Reply
    • Neita says

      October 7, 2022 at 7:27 AM

      Same; been living in this home for 35 years and never used the dishwasher. Except as a place to drain/air dry the hand-washed dishes.

      Reply
    • Donna says

      March 14, 2023 at 11:02 PM

      I like this idea of using the dishwasher as the drying rack!

      Reply
      • Claudia says

        March 15, 2023 at 6:12 PM

        So agree, this is how you’ll make the best use of it, save time and money

        Reply
    • DJ says

      March 15, 2023 at 3:16 PM

      Brilliant!

      Reply
  5. Amar Ramsinghani says

    July 15, 2022 at 9:24 PM

    Very useful information shared. Thanks alot

    Reply
  6. JT says

    May 14, 2022 at 7:21 AM

    When my $1500 barely five year old dishwasher stopped cleaning utensils and started to sound like a 747 gearing up for take off I unplugged it and started washing dishes by hand.

    I fully expected to pay a hefty repair bill or worse plunk it on the curb for disposal.

    Full of anger and contempt that I tossed a perfectly fine dishwasher that worked for 15 years for this shinny new stainless steel piece of poo I realized that no matter how much money I spent, the days of good quality, long lasting appliances are dead.

    I realized that washing dishes by hand was not nearly as time consuming or tedious as expected. My dishes were actually clean, no stuck on bits or that perpetual “residue” .

    So, I am not going back, at least until I sell my house and am forced to buy a new one for the new owners.

    And regarding water and electricity use. Since my dishwasher did such a poor job I often ended up running a load of dishes twice just to get the dishes clean or at least not smelling of food. I most assuredly use less water washing by hand.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      October 6, 2022 at 4:00 PM

      Currently I live alone. I wash my dishes as I go and don’t miss the dishwasher. But having had 7 children and a mini farm with milk goats, sheep and more, the dishwasher was a life saver in my past. In fact at one point I had two! Call me decadent! LOL. Your lifestyle definitely affects what makes sense. And it changes through the years. It is always good to consider what others think but it doesn’t always match your life. I appreciate reading about new possibilities though.

      Reply
  7. iloveromance says

    April 22, 2022 at 8:10 PM

    I tend to be very lazy (but I’m working on getting more productive!) and dishes always pile up in the sink to the point of ridiculousness. However, I read in a not-so-great book about organizing, etc that she washes dishes every night before bed and then empties the dishwasher every morning. Since I tend to be lazy about emptying the dishwasher as well I decided to try this practice but in a different way. I make sure that whatever dishes I use go directly into the dishwasher instead of letting them pile up in the sink. Then when the dishwasher is full, I do a load. In the meantime if I run out of dishes or whatever, I can hand wash what I need. But I’m amazed at how the simple act of keeping dishes out of my sink makes my kitchen look a hundred times cleaner. There may be clutter galore on my counters but the sink being clean makes a world of difference.

    Reply
  8. Becky says

    April 22, 2022 at 6:13 PM

    I love my dishwasher. No need to justify it, it’s my path

    Reply
    • Trish says

      April 22, 2022 at 6:20 PM

      I was hoping you’d add information about saving water and electricity.

      Reply
      • Aurora says

        April 23, 2022 at 3:43 AM

        Actually you use more water to wash them by hand but sure no electricity. Anyway you have to read suggestions but then choose what works better for you. For sure it is great to have the sink always clean and without dishes. The day starts better. Try it for a week!

        Reply
        • Kat B says

          October 6, 2022 at 7:23 AM

          That is a fallacy about energy use. A small sink of water to wash and then rinsewater is far less than the 2 hour process with multiple rinse cycles and all the electricity used to wash and dry. In hand washing just a small bit of gas used to heat the water. I use my dishwasher to store bags, large pots and produce (onions potatoes and garlic.)

          Reply
          • penny says

            October 9, 2022 at 4:59 PM

            Oooh, no! Don’t store onions and potatoes together, anywhere, ever. Bad, bad, bad! The ethylene gas from onions can cause potatoes to spoil quickly, and the high moisture content of spuds can soften and spoil onions.

      • E says

        December 11, 2022 at 5:07 PM

        Actually, stoppering the sink 1/3 full of water and rinsing as I go over it uses less than a sinkful of water to get a large amount of dishes clean. I put the cutlery on the bottom right away and they’re pretty much clean by the time I get to them at the end. By the same token, washing your dishes as you run the water down the drain is extremel wasteful and nowhere as efficient.

        Reply
      • Marley says

        March 14, 2023 at 7:08 PM

        A modern dishwasher uses far less water than washing by hand. For example, I run my dishwasher every 5 days, it uses about 3 gallons of water. I open it overnight to let them air dry so I don’t use the dry function.
        It was 600.00. I chose a specifically for its excellent sound rating, you can barely hear it
        I find I do a lot more cooking and much more healthy cooking by keeping dishes clean or the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I don’t run it until it’s stuffed full and it gets it clean the first time through with no rinse aid on the regular cycle.

        Reply
    • Grace says

      October 6, 2022 at 7:24 AM

      me too.

      Reply
  9. David says

    January 30, 2022 at 8:39 PM

    There’s a more important point rather than debating ecological stuff, It is the people habit. Washing your own dishes will surely improve your family mindset. I don’t use dishwasher for this specific reason, you are all talking about the conservation of water or something. How about talking about building your kid mentality to fit a great person. Conserving water are not by the mean of using a dishwasher. it’s just 1 of 1001 reason for peoples to justified their laziness because it’s convenient to them. I don’t mind if people use a dishwasher because I respect their choices, but making a reason to feel they are doing some glorified deed to the world what a hypocrite.
    If you understand one or two point about life coaching, washing dish using your hand it’s ? percent more beneficial, more than you can imagine.

    Reply
  10. Happy Momma says

    September 17, 2021 at 4:13 AM

    My feelings on this is that hand washing might pertain to whatever stage of life you are in. For example, if you are working parents with toddlers and a baby, hand washing all those bottles might not work for that family. It’s interesting to think about though…..

    Reply
    • Joe says

      March 18, 2022 at 2:05 PM

      We are a family of 5 but i have the feeling that using dishwasher is more time consuming that washing by hand. We simply used much more bowls, glasses cutlery etc when we were using dishwasher because we had the idea that dishwasher will do our work. But at the end we many times used the machine twice a day. Of course It is a hassle by hand as well but I really aggree with all the benefits Joshua listed.

      Reply
  11. Julia Edwards says

    May 31, 2021 at 7:20 AM

    Joshua, dishwashers conserve water. For me, minimalism includes a leave no trace component as well. Water is a limited resource. Understanding our role in depleting that resource whether we live in desert communities in the south and west, or eat almonds, is both a challenge and an opportunity to do better.

    Reply
    • Renee says

      May 31, 2021 at 11:15 AM

      It is not true that dishwashers use less water. Think about it. You are being told this by companies who promote everything about a dishwasher. This comparison assumes we are idiots who stand at the sink allowing the water to run all day. Please dont assume this. It’s very easy to control your water usage by handwashing.

      Reply
      • Victoria says

        June 2, 2021 at 2:49 PM

        I can’t imagine why someone would think a dishwasher would use less water than hand washing. And of course the dishwasher uses electricity too. I don’t have a large family so hand washing them and putting them away takes far less time than loading the dishwasher and then going back an unloading it. I don’t blame anyone for using a dishwasher especially if they have a large family but to say it uses less water puzzles me.

        Reply
        • Becky says

          April 22, 2022 at 6:40 PM

          Don’t forget your water probably gets heated by electricity.

          Reply
      • Brian says

        April 22, 2022 at 5:44 PM

        Dishwashers drastically reduce the amount of water used washing dishes. The average sink faucet allows a flow rate of anywhere from 1.5 to 3 gallons per minute. Whereas your dishwasher only uses about 3 gallons per cycle. If you can wash and rinse your dishes with less than 3 gallons you are a dishwashing master, however, I seriously doubt it.

        Reply
        • Irene says

          April 23, 2022 at 12:02 AM

          I have grown up handwashing all my life, speaking from experience I use about 5 litres of water to clean up dishes for about 5 people which seems economical . recently considered getting a dish washer though.

          Reply
      • Cathy says

        October 6, 2022 at 6:24 AM

        I hand wash all the time and battle with wasting water. Then I see people rinsing off all their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher and realize maybe the machine uses less water, but the people don’t!

        Reply
      • E says

        December 11, 2022 at 5:09 PM

        Absolutely agree.

        Reply
      • Marley says

        March 14, 2023 at 7:14 PM

        It’s not possible for you to know where people get their knowledge about water use.

        Reply
    • Dian Harvey Barnhart says

      June 3, 2021 at 9:04 AM

      Julia:
      Not so. I have to scoop the water out of the sink that the dishwasher drains due to the way the plumbing is hooked up. I scoop 20-2 cup bowls of water every time the dishwasher drains. I can hand wash my dishes with less than half of that amount of water. I use a sanitizer in the rinse water and it is so hot I have to wear gloves.

      Reply
    • Mary Jo Ruck says

      September 17, 2021 at 12:47 AM

      I’m fairly certain they don’t conserve water. I recently had a dishwasher installed, and my water bill has been the same.

      Reply
  12. Jonathan Clough says

    March 25, 2021 at 11:40 PM

    My dishwasher gets things cleaner than handwashing. They are also more ecological than handwashing. You also store dirty dishes out of sight. Win win.

    Reply
    • Residentwizard says

      May 31, 2021 at 6:56 AM

      Agree! And dw or hand wash, there will be clutter until it is dealt with. If I need something before it’s run, I’ll wash it by hand. I can think of a thousand other things to get Zen doing other than washing dishes.

      Reply
    • Karen says

      May 31, 2021 at 10:37 AM

      I wish I had a dishwasher because where I live the water is very hard (limestone) and the dishes would get cleaner from a dishwasher.

      Reply
      • AlisonWonder says

        October 24, 2021 at 7:15 PM

        True but I lived in one of those hard water areas and the dishwasher and other plumbing often broke down due to mineral deposits. Plumbers were very busy in that area.

        Reply
      • penny says

        October 9, 2022 at 5:14 PM

        Now see, for the last 23 years I’ve fought pitched battles with our ridiculously hard Utah water as I watched it unfailingly leave a frost on dishwasher loads, destroy water heaters and softeners years before their time, obstruct both hot and cold water faucets/spigots, and totally choke off a washing machine. If your dishes are leaving the dishwasher without water residue it’s because your detergent product is loaded with chemicals softeners and conditioners. I was finally using the detergent-plus-softener products as well as extra rinse agents like LemiShine or Jet Dry just to get results that looked and felt clean (never used the heated dry, btw). I have no problems like this when washing by hand and air drying.

        Reply
  13. Fred D says

    February 23, 2021 at 10:28 AM

    When I am in the kitchen, the first thing I do is put some warm soapy water in the sink. As I progress with my cooking, I am constantly cleaning – as – I – go, and when I am finished, I do not have a big mess to clean up. What follows is that I also rinse and soak and then wash up the rest, while I am cleaning the kitchen, and counters, tables etc. It just totally flows ergonomically with the job, and I also always have what I want to use clean.

    I also do not use a microwave, and will not own one. I am male.

    Reply
    • Libby says

      May 31, 2021 at 11:50 AM

      Same. My house has a dishwasher and others use it, but when I’m cooking/cleaning I use it as a drainer for my hand-washed dishes. Cleaning as I work, and using the dishwasher as a drying rack means that by the time supper is ready, most of the dishes are dry and ready to be put away. Then, wash a few plates, cups, and utensils after eating only takes about 10 minutes and everything is done, wiped down, and clean for the meal/day.

      Reply
    • Kate says

      July 23, 2021 at 6:14 AM

      Not using microwave is a gender issue, for convenience? My younger son never liked watching TV and do have one in his room. He stayed up very late until 3 am at his HS prom and won the raffle. He surprised us and impressed all his friends. Now, he recently moved out. We make sure he has a bed, fridge and a microwave.

      Reply
  14. Mevelyn Lewis says

    January 25, 2021 at 11:55 AM

    I have a dishwasher and much like you, I prefer to hand wash my dishes, wipe the counters, etc and walk out with the job finished. Instead of knowing it would be a couple hours before I could unload the dishes and put them away. Another personal reason is the arthritis in my hands hurt less after having my hands in warm water doing the dishes.

    Reply
  15. Allison says

    January 25, 2021 at 9:55 AM

    A dishwasher is a luxury that I’ve never had, so I’ve always washed by hand. Things don’t pile up, and it’s just always been a habit to wash something immediately after use. Also, it keeps everything in better shape. I’ve never worried that I would ruin a dish by washing it – whereas with a machine, I’d be wary. If I need to disinfect or sanitize something like my dish brush, I use boiling water on the stove top.

    Reply
  16. Brian says

    January 24, 2021 at 4:59 PM

    Dishwashers are great when cleaning nooks and crannies.

    About cleanliness, have you tried using a different technique like proper spacing and arrangement, and clearing blocked spray holes?

    Reply
  17. Derek E says

    January 21, 2021 at 8:16 PM

    You don’t even need the sink rack anymore honestly. I just use the racks in the dishwasher. Now I have even more countertop space!

    Reply
  18. Diana Brown says

    November 15, 2020 at 9:04 AM

    I ditched my dishwasher last year and never looked back! I will tell you why. I found the use of electricity to run a load everyday to be consequential, we have to consider how it effects the world around us. We already use quite a bit so if I can cut back its for the best. I have a big beautiful double sink with all the gadgets you could want in its fixtures. And yet they were rarely used except to rinse produce and get glasses of water lol

    Dish time is now time spent with loved ones, I wash, next to me my SO rinses, and my daughter dries and stacks. We talk we laugh sometimes its a suds and water fight hehe.

    Even when doing dishes by myself it becomes a relaxing meditation. The warm water feels wonderful, the stillness that lets your mind just tune out its quite hypnotic at times.

    And no dishwasher has ever done as good a job as hand washing! Plus hand washing gets it done faster.

    I do recommend people try it, get the family involved make it a fun loving family time. Or grab some alone time let the warmth of the water relax you as your mind drifts while looking out the window. Happy washings!

    Reply
    • AlisonWonder says

      October 24, 2021 at 7:28 PM

      If you don’t have a double sink, a tub in the sink is almost as good.
      Then you can still run the tap beside it.

      Reply
  19. Mrscolorado says

    October 22, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    I’ve always preferred to wash by hand. It makes me feel more in control of my kitchen. It’s too much effort to load and unload a dishwasher when I can just get the job done faster by hand.

    Reply
  20. Poston M says

    July 28, 2020 at 5:05 PM

    We bought our house with everything in place. We never had to buy any new appliances. It has never occured to me to have no dishes to do in my whole life – handwash or dishwasher – It has become some kind of therapy on its own. The best, time for me, are breakfasts. I really feel I have accomplished something good for the day. Thats’ just me being obsessively with my clean dishes. I am so thankful that we have it handy while we don’t use it so often. Why should we.

    Reply
  21. Michael Williams says

    July 26, 2020 at 8:51 AM

    Whatever floats your boat. To me, loading the dishwasher once in the evening, and having the dishes clean and ready to use the next morning, is a nice time saver. It’s my routine, and I wouldn’t give it up.

    Reply
    • KJ says

      January 22, 2021 at 9:54 AM

      I also! I load the dishes after each meal and run it in the evening. It is my routine. Nothing cluttering the counters. I’m not a minimalist, but I don’t like clutter. I do like modern conveniences!

      Reply
  22. Steve says

    July 26, 2020 at 2:10 AM

    I grew up without a dishwasher. We always washed dishes by hand.

    I eventually bit the bullet and bought a good quality dishwasher in my late 20s. Best thing I ever did. It made my life a lot simpler and I could devote that time saved to other, more useful pursuits.

    The key is to pay a bit more and get a good quality dishwasher. You’ll never have a problem with dishes coming out dirty as the job is done properly every time.

    Reply
  23. Mel W says

    July 25, 2020 at 9:39 PM

    I have never owned or used a dishwasher. My parents never owned one then neither did I. Washing up is therapeutic. I also do not own a freezer or tumble dryer. Manage perfectly well without and proud of it.

    Reply
  24. Amy Howson says

    July 25, 2020 at 8:40 PM

    If you don’t want to use your dishwasher for your dishes do a quick google search to learn about other things in your home you can wash using your dishwasher. This way you can still use and keep your seals from drying out.

    Reply
  25. Marci says

    July 25, 2020 at 7:47 PM

    Dishes should be air dried, not dried with a towel, per my Doctor grandfather.
    And if you are not using a fresh clean towel to dry each time you risk spreading bacteria that can grow on the towel in a couple hours.
    So 3 dish towels a day? No thank you.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 25, 2020 at 10:43 PM

      You understand! My husband complains because I get a fresh dishrag out every time I do dishes. I won’t use the same rag that’s been trying to dry for hours or if they did yesterday’s dishes. Not minimalist I guess. But oh well.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        July 25, 2020 at 10:44 PM

        Your dad understands, I mean. Oops

        Reply
  26. Denise says

    July 25, 2020 at 6:10 PM

    I got fed up with dishes. 2 young adult children and 2 adults. Each person now has their own dish set and utensils. Everyone washes their own if they want clean dishes. Wish I had done it years ago!

    Reply
  27. D Souther says

    April 18, 2020 at 6:06 PM

    We have a dishwasher that came in our house when we bought it 20 years ago. I have only used it a few times. I didn’t like it. I ran a clean cycle, got it really clean and started using it like a cabinet to store stuff in. I never felt confident that it got my dishes clean in crevices and corners. You can’t use it to wash wood handled knives or spoons. I think it strips the finish off plates, flatware and etches glasses. I use one sink of hot water ( less than 2 gallons) to wash dishes in and one sink of hot water ( less than 2 gallons) to rinse them. With 2 people (3 when my son is home) I can wash dishes faster than running the dishwasher. If something needs to soak it it usually a pan to big to put in the dishwasher any way. I will never use a dishwasher. I don’t like them.

    Reply
  28. Christopher roark says

    April 9, 2020 at 1:37 AM

    Good evening, I am a single man ( now ) but have been in several relationships in households with dishwashers, and love to read anything that can broaden my mind. I have been informed by friends that are chefs, cooks, and have read this before, that it’s mandated by law to run dishes and all utensils thru a dishwasher, in a restaurant setting! here’s why! Bacteria! All bacteria is killed when water temps reach 140 degrees or greater, our water tanks don’t typically heat water to that temp. Or greater, so convenience or health. Hmmmm?so like I’ve stated being single and into conserving water and energy, I wash in the sink! Lol. But you can also guarantee to kill bacteria with a cap full of bleach in a sink full of hot water ( which is what I do) and let sit for 20-30 minutes. Then your all good!! No worries! But they also make a counter top version of a dishwasher for the sole purpose of disinfecting dishes. So to me folks I can do both! Kill bacteria $ save energy , oh and that’s only if you don’t keep the hot water running while your had washing the dishes, lol, thanks for reading, stay safe, god bless!!

    Reply
    • Judith Johnson says

      July 25, 2020 at 6:15 PM

      Keeping on top of possible bacteria is appropriate in restaurants, but honestly not something you have to continually have to worry about in the average home. And as you said, a little capful of bleach is effective, not to mention cheap.

      Reply
    • G says

      July 25, 2020 at 6:51 PM

      Yeah, no! Bleach to wash your dishes, oh please.

      Reply
  29. Cjroark says

    April 9, 2020 at 1:33 AM

    Good evening, I am a single man ( now ) but have been in several relationships in households with dishwashers, and love to read anything that can broaden my mind. I have been informed by friends that are chefs, cooks, and have read this before, that it’s mandated by law to run dishes and all utensils thru a dishwasher, in a restaurant setting! here’s why! Bacteria! All bacteria is killed when water temps reach 140 degree or greater, our water tanks don’t typically heat water to that temp. Or greater, so convenience or health. Hmmmm?so like I’ve stated being single and into conserving water and energy, I wash in the sink! Lol. But you can also guarantee to kill bacteria with a cap full of bleach in a sink full of hot water ( which is what I do) and let sit for 20-30 minutes. Then your all good!! No worries! But they also make a counter top version of a dishwasher for the sole purpose of disinfecting dishes. So to me folks I can do both! Kill bacteria $ save energy , oh and that’s only if you don’t keep the hot water running while your had washing the dishes, lol, thanks for reading, stay safe, god bless!!

    Reply
  30. Naomi May says

    February 3, 2020 at 10:57 AM

    I wash all of our dishes by hand. Our house came with a crappy old dishwasher that barely worked. My husband loved having a dishwasher though; he hates washing dishes. I hated it. I hated the fact that him and the kids threw dishes in there caked with food. They would run the dishwasher, and all of the food splattered across all the dishes in the dishwasher. Then the drying cycle baked it on. I was forever scrubbing everything as it came out of that horrible dishwasher. When it finally stopped working altogether, I rejoiced. I now wash everything by hand after every meal. It doesn’t take very long, and everything that I need is now in the cupboard where it belongs instead of sitting in a dishwasher needing to be scrubbed before use. I have been able to get by with less dishes as well, since they are washed clean after every meal. My husband wants to buy another dishwasher and I keep fighting him on it! My dishes are so much cleaner now that I wash them by hand, and I like the fact that everything is put away and clean after every meal.

    Reply
  31. Gaby says

    February 1, 2020 at 9:02 PM

    We make all our meals at home (saves us money and healthier/easier with food allergies). With 6 people in our home…that would be an incredible amount of dishes to let dry on the counter thus creating more clutter lol. I like the idea and I think it could work for a small family or for a simple meal perhaps. But for a regular dinner for 6 of us…I already wash all the pots/pans, mixing bowls, etc. by hand and that totally fills up our little dish dryer. In order to wash plates, cups, utensils, bowls, etc for 6…I would need several hand towels and the whole counter. Unless I used those several clean towels to dry them as we went and then I’d just have a lot of towels to dry as I wouldn’t want to reuse them for sanitary reasons.

    I also worry about properly sanitizing dishes while doing them by hand. Sick season, food allergies, etc…I don’t want to spread germs/ allergens. Anyone have a regimen they’d like to share?

    Reply
    • Mom says

      April 7, 2020 at 6:33 AM

      During flu season we add 5-10 drops of essential oils to our dish water, and sometimes even a splash of alcohol. But as a family of 9, the blessing of large family is having more people to help with the chores- so we also dry and put away the dishes immediately.
      Remember that even the experts have told us that the best way to kill germs on our hands is by washing with soap and water, over sanitizing methods! And it also does not kill the good bacteria along with the bad. We do not have a high rate of sickness in our home at all, though I can see the benefit for people with small children to have a dishwasher to be able to sanitize when they are not yet capable of washing in uncomfortably hot water.

      Reply
    • mary garvey says

      May 31, 2021 at 3:26 PM

      i would not wash pots and pans and mixing bowls by hand. i would not have them handy if they were not dishwasher safe. same with knives.

      Reply
  32. Sallie R says

    January 27, 2020 at 1:23 PM

    We have a friend who is a pathologist. He has noticed a distinct difference in bowel health during autopsies that he attributes to the fat dissolving agents in dishwashing powder used in dishwashers. He believes that constant use of these fat dissolving agents leave a thin film on our clean plates and enter our bowels via the food on our “clean” plates thousands and thousands of times in a lifetime. Our gut health is diminished from within from these fat dissolving products and has serious health effects. He does not find this change in people who wash their dishes by hand using old fashioned washing up liquid. He recommends that if you must use a dishwasher, don’t use the powder. Just wash it hot without any cleanser.

    Reply
    • kim yeakel says

      July 27, 2020 at 1:27 AM

      How does the pathologist know which bodies used dishwasher versus hand washing dishes??? I don’t think that is ever part of the medical record of decedents.

      Reply
    • Peggy says

      January 22, 2021 at 8:40 AM

      If you wash by hand, you still need dishwashing soap which would have “fat dissolving” chemicals….

      Reply
    • Jenn says

      October 6, 2022 at 8:02 AM

      Thank you for sharing Sallie!

      Reply
  33. Beth says

    January 25, 2020 at 7:09 AM

    Oddly, as I’m generally allergic to housework, I enjoy washing dishes. I love soaking my hands in warm soapy water, and I enjoy looking at my pretty dishes as I handle each one. I once had a book that described dishwashing as meditation, and a mindfulness practice allowing one to dwell on gratitude for the food each dish held, and the family member or friend that ate from it. I like mismatched mugs and small plates so I often remember where I got a dish as I wash it.

    Reply
  34. Eileen says

    January 24, 2020 at 10:39 PM

    A good working dishwasher also sterilizes the load as well. We even have one at office & gets run each day. Decided to go green at office so use utensils, real plates, cups & coffee pots all go in at end of day.

    Reply
    • Gaby says

      February 1, 2020 at 9:03 PM

      I agree! I do worry about sanitation and like the dishwasher for this reason.

      Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 31, 2021 at 1:05 PM

      No, a dishwasher does NOT sterilize!

      Reply
  35. Marilyn says

    January 24, 2020 at 5:49 PM

    Well, call me crazy, but I have 4 people in the house and once the dishes are getting a soak I am ready. To me is is relaxing and gratifying to see them clean.

    Reply
  36. Lorna says

    January 24, 2020 at 3:31 PM

    I wash my dishes everyday, with just two people in the house it’s one plate, one bowl, one cup….see where I’m going?? I only use it for big meals when there is allot to wash, or, once a week….only to keep it functional!

    Reply
  37. Debbie says

    January 24, 2020 at 8:28 AM

    I don’t understand why you’d leave the kitchen without loading the dishwasher?
    Why would you leave the messy clutter on your counter and in the sink????

    Reply
    • AlisonWonder says

      October 24, 2021 at 7:25 PM

      Because the dishwasher is full of clean dishes and the other person in your life insists on controlling it.

      Reply
  38. Annette West says

    January 24, 2020 at 7:05 AM

    Just remember that hand washing dishes uses 5 times the amount of water than a dishwasher. I use the dishwasher once a day, straight after the evening meal, it is loaded after each meal so there are no dishes sitting out on the counters… that would drive me crazy. It is also emptied and the dishes put away before I go to bed… so each new day starts out clean and ready to go.

    Reply
    • Donna Roses says

      January 21, 2021 at 6:45 PM

      I agree. Consumer Reports says that using a dishwasher is much more energy and water efficient and sanitary too. I have to explain this to my husband on a regular basis when I find his hand-washed but not completely clean items back in the cabinets. ugh!

      Reply
  39. Erin Kanagy says

    January 24, 2020 at 6:55 AM

    If you don’t use your dishwasher then the motor seals can dry out and it can break (not an issue if you don’t care). . Just for the health of the machine you should run it (if it’s in working order) at least once a week. I never used mine bc I lived alone and didn’t have enough dishes to fill it….I learned the hard way.

    Reply
    • Fran Kleinig says

      January 24, 2020 at 9:44 PM

      I use my dishwasher about once or twice a week, after a cooking session or for convenience on a busy day. In between, I like to wash by hand – and without using much water.

      Reply
      • Laurie says

        July 25, 2020 at 6:28 PM

        So do we. dishwasher runs only about once a week. Usually wash by hand – we don’t use much chemical products or bleach, don’t like the strong smell. Saving in water when you don’t use the machine so often

        Reply
  40. Linda says

    November 24, 2019 at 6:43 AM

    I watch the running water as you hand wash your dishes and it’s clear you don’t live in a water scarce area. We load our dishwasher as soon as we’ve used items, close the door and ‘voila’ no visible clutter. Keeping the dirty crockery in a closed machine means the food doesn’t dry hard onto the item before it’s washed. As soon as it’s full, we run it. This uses much less water than washing each time we have a meal or tea and snack.
    But we do have the advantage of having a ‘half load (upper shelf)’ option for washing, because certainly waiting for a full load may mean the required utensil may still be waiting in the dishwasher when you need it!

    Reply
    • Roberta Alan says

      January 24, 2020 at 7:09 AM

      I wash dishes by hand and do not leave water running. I fill a dishpan with hot soapy water, wash each item and place it in the other side of the sink. Then I turn on the water (at a trickle) and quickly rinse each item. I also have an aerator which restricts water flow. I am very conscious of how much water I use. I also do not only wash 1 or 2 items but stack neatly in a dishpan and when I have a load I wash them.

      Reply
  41. Gabi says

    November 10, 2019 at 2:02 PM

    The dishwasher really saves no time. A few years ago I measured it exactly with a stopwatch. For 2 people it was exactly the same time: dish washing by hand and dishwasher. I sold the dishwasher and am very happy about it. I’ll never have to make money to buy a dishwasher. My ears love it, when it’s wonderful quiet in the kitchen and I don’t need to hear a the dishwasing-machine.

    Reply
  42. Ann E says

    November 1, 2019 at 1:53 PM

    My almost 4 year-old, crappy dishwasher just died. It was always lousy. Evidently it doesn’t want you to use power, so it doesn’t completely dry the dishes and certainly not if you have the door closed. It pulsated to clean over a course of hours! It also fit nothing; no rounded plates, no larger than a certain size glass, and no utensils other than fork/spoon/knife. I already had to wash sharp knives, pots, pans, larger items, lids, cup lids, some glasses, etc. Awful. I’m happy it died. I’m not wasting my money on another one either. So far my dishes are completely DONE. Not emptied with a partial dirty load. They are done and put away every day! My counters are cleaner. I feel like buying new glasses as a treat! No more etched, cloudy glasses. So many dishes it destroyed just so I wouldn’t have to wash them, yet I spent more time loading, unloading, and having dirty dishes waiting to be washed along with having to hand wash the other half.

    Reply
    • HKNaik says

      December 5, 2019 at 7:57 PM

      Totally true and agree.It spoils the dishes,my wood spoons,cloudy glasses

      Reply
      • Leanne Dickinson says

        January 24, 2020 at 8:11 PM

        My dishwasher broke down and I could not afford to have it fixed, so I hand washed dishes for 3 months. I got nothing out of the experience. A lovely neighbour was replacing their dishwasher (just because they wanted to) and was going to sell it for $10 on Ebay. I took it instead. I now appreciate it more than ever. It is more water efficient, you can hide the dishes until it is ready to wash and it is more hygienic (washed at 65 degrees).

        Reply
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