Washing dishes doesn’t pass us by from time to time. Let’s take a look at how to go green at washing dishes. Here are some tips for applying to your dishwashing practice.
Use a dishwasher
By most comparisons, modern dishwashers are faster, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly than hand washing. This means it uses less water (energy) for the same amount of dishes than the average person washing dishes by hand in the sink. At the same time, modern dishwashers also generally wash dishes better because they can purposely spray streams of water at temperatures up to 60 °C, which our hands cannot do. It is important to get to know the dishwasher you are using thoroughly so that you can use it as efficiently as possible. Try to use eco-friendly programs and only turn on the dishwasher when it is really full.
On the other hand, the actual manufacture of the dishwasher and its transport to your home puts a lot of strain on the environment. So once you have a dishwasher, try using it for as long as possible, even if a new and more efficient model comes on the market.
When washing dishes by hand, fill your sink with water
If for some reason you can’t use a dishwasher and are forced to wash dishes by hand, don’t wash them under running water, but fill your sink with water. Add detergent to the sink of water and rinse with clean water after you have washed all the dishes.
Wash dishes by hand: If you don’t have a dishwasher, you can save water and energy by washing dishes by hand. Use a sink full of soapy water instead of a tap, and rinse dishes in a separate container of clean water instead of leaving the tap running.
Use an eco-friendly detergent
Whether you use a dishwasher (recommended) or wash dishes by hand, always use an eco-friendly dishwashing liquid. Such products are usually free of harmful chemicals that can be too aggressive for your skin.
Use natural dishwashing aids
Although you can use a dishwasher, sometimes hand washing is also required. For these cases, try to use natural dishwashing aids to replace plastic sponges. A great tip is a loofah, for example. Lufa is a variety of zucchini, so it is a truly natural product. When it’s too unpalatable, you can put it in the compost.