Around our house, we have a new motto about habits: If you can't beat 'em, green 'em. We're working on our dishwasher habit right now, and we could use some tips. Jump below to find out why.
We can dirty up a full dishwasher's worth of dishes in no time—not because there's an army to feed (there are only two of us), but because one of us (that'd be me) doesn't know yet how to put together an efficiently-prepared meal. I've been combating this deficiency by watching lots of cooking shows.
In the meantime, we're running the dishwasher about two times a week. It's not one of those super-efficient European ones that we've touted here on Re-Nest, but it does sport the Energy Star label. And we've come up with a few more ways to lessen its footprint.
First, we use a more-planet-friendly-than-not detergent. We like Seventh Generation Free & Clear dishwasher detergent (the powdered kind, even though there are two ingredients that the company has recently found are not natural. We're hoping they replace the petroleum-based polymer soon, but we may try to find a truly all-natural detergent before then.
Second, we run it on the shortest wash possible. No more "heavy pots and pans" cycle or pre-rinse. And finally, we let the dishes air dry.
We're planning on moving more toward a two-sink hand wash system and using the dishwasher once a week or less, as soon as I learn how to dirty less than twelve dishes to cook a meal. Any tips?
What do you do to lesson the ecological impact of washing dishes?
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Comments (9)
It wasn't mentioned in the article, but Seventh Generation is phosphorus-free and that's a good thing. Lots of detergents and soaps aren't.
According to this article: Phosphorus feeds algae blooms, and when algae die, their decay uses up oxygen, choking lakes and streams and suffocating salmon and other aquatic life. Large algae blooms may also result in the need for more treatment of drinking water supplies.
Lake Whatcom, the drinking water source for 87,000 people, is designated as an impaired water body because its oxygen levels are below state water quality standards.
A really good natural dishwashing detergent is a tough thing to come by. Ever notice how the natural brands tend to leave a slight residue on your dishes, especially if you have hard water? It's because they use phosphates and petroleum products which both rinse quickly and are exceptional at getting rid of water spots. Water spots are just mineral deposits left over from your water though and they can be combated by adding vinegar to your rinse dispenser. Sprinkling your dishes with baking soda before you put them in the dishwasher helps, too. It will loosen up any leftover food and kill odors.
I meant to say, "it's because they DON'T use phosphates and petroleum products." Next time I'll edit first, then post. :)
I'm not sure what your two sink hand dishwashing method is but there have been studies that show that people tend to use more water hand washing and don't do as good of job as a diswasher. Especially the energy saver models, something to think about.
Planet brand power dishwashing detergent definitely leaves all the glasses with a white residue. Vinegar helps, but I end up rinsing them with a spot of water before giving them to guests.
Jinx - you use more water hand washing *if* you wash and/or rinse under a running tap. I believe the two-sink hand dishwashing uses two basins of water, one soapy for washing and one clean for rinsing. And frankly, I do a better job than the dishwasher (though I'd usually rather not bother with handwashing, I have a lot of cookware that requires it.)
and yeah, mrs. jones, it is hard to find a good natural one... I use the 7thgen powder as well and it's the only one that works (the 7thgen liquid is fairly useless). If you have soft water, though, an equal mix of borax and washing soda works instead of detergent.
other than that... if you can get away with it, use the shorter cycle on your dishwasher. Air dry or just open the machine to let dishes dry. And don't pre-rinse before you put dishes in the washer; scrape the plates with a spatula instead.
Borax and washing soda? I'll have to give that a go.
My dishwasher uses only 11 litres of water on the eco cycle - that's still less than two sinks of water!
I've heard borax and washing soda scratch your glasses, FYI.
I have Bosch that has an eco wash cycle - pretty efficient. And, as we figured at the first time we used it, there is no heat dry cycle. We thought it was broken, but it just requires a rinse agent. However, I have not found a natural rinse agent. Anyone know of one? Plus, the one we have been using (forgot the name but it the one that is at every store) smells a little like fish when the dishes are wet. My partner says that is made from proteins...?
PS - I LOVE the Bosch dishwasher. In my kitchen remodel, even with the professional stove, it is by far the best thing. It is so quiet that there is a little light that shines on the floor to tell you it's on.