Dish Washing Mistakes to Avoid

The east coast is experiencing a drought¹, currently reported as getting only 50% of normal rainfall. We aren’t required to cut back on water usage; instead to be more aware and be conservative. The drought brought up a dish-cussion (little word play) about which is better; the dishwasher or hand-washing.

While researching various ways to conserve water, I stumbled upon a dish-washing article by Rondale Organics. In Dish Washing Mistakes to Avoid² Rondale Organics talks not only about how dirty your kitchen is (more germs than your bathroom) they also discuss: (please visit them for the entire article)

1. Soap Usage: Minimal is best
2. Saving Water: Per load: dishwasher 3 -10 gallons; hand washing 20-27 gallons
3. Sponge vs dish cloth: Ditch the germ filled sponge
4. Sink Cleanliness: More germs than a toilet, they discuss simple ways to sanitize your sink
5. Garbage Disposals: Food waste burdens waste water systems while wasting water
6. Items to be handwashed vs dishwasher: What can and can’t go in the dishwasher
7. Loading the dishwasher: Loading tips for proper sanitation

The water usage and dishwashers vary depending if it is energy-efficient or a conservation model. Lifehacker  debates water usage relating to hand washing³ as well as you could use a minimal amount of water in your sink. This approach doesn’t work for me as the dish water quickly is murky and the luke warm water is less efficient.

You could save a lot of time cleaning baked on debris using left over coffee⁴ (via Lifehacker) as the acid in the coffee will soak off much of the grime within and hour.

Many areas are struggling with flooding situations, while ours is in a drought. What about you, are you in need of water conservation and what do you do around the house to save water?

I hope you find some of these dish washing tips helpful.

They may not net a giant savings of water daily; over time it makes a difference.

Giant

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