How To Green Your Dishwasher
You probably think I'm going to start off by asking you to give up your dishwasher. It must be time to go back to the old days, where you'd be more energy efficient if you would just wash your dishes by hand and heat the water over a wood stove. Relax. It just isn't true.
A study http://www.landtechnik.uni-bonn.de/ifl_research/ifl_research_project.php?sec=HT&no=1
conducted
at the University of Bonn in Germany discovered
that modern dishwashers are hands down more efficient than washing by hand. A
dishwasher on average uses only half the energy and 1/6th the amount
of water, and less soap than the most careful human dishwasher. The National Geographic states that "You'll
use up to 35 percent less water by doing a full load of dishes, which haven't
been pre-rinsed, in your dishwasher instead of by hand."(link) http://www.nationalgeographic.com/everyday/greenhouse/tips.html
Going
green is about working smarter not necessarily harder. Washing dishes by hand
is not a very productive use of your time. So give the dishes to the dishwasher
and save your time and your money.
1. Buy an EnergyStar Dishwasher
Next time you need to replace your
dishwasher choose an EnergyStar model. These energy efficient models can use
25% less energy than other models.
2. Pick The Right Size
Unless you have a large family, a compact
dishwasher is likely all you need. Compact models are more efficient than the
large ones and will save you money on heating costs.
3. Separate Large Appliances
Keep the dishwasher and stove away from
the fridge. Otherwise, the heat coming off these appliances will cause your
fridge to work harder to keep your food cold.
4. Use Biodegradable Cleaners
Skip the toxic, phospate-laden dishwashing liquid advertised on television. Make your home a toxin-free zone. Look for the safer, biodegradable cleaners which are free of phosphates and petroleum. Many supermarkets like Save On and Superstore carry them along with the green markets like Capers and Choices. Powdered detergents sold in bulk are a good idea as they have reduced packaging.
What's the big deal with phosphates? The minerals found in hard tap water can cause spotting problems on dishes. Phosphates are added to laundry detergents to counteract the minerals. Sounds innocent enough, but phosphates come from the family of chemicals used as fertilizers. After washing your dishes, the water going down the drain can end up in local waterways: rivers, streams, and oceans. Here the phosphates can contribute to the fertilization of algae populations. Large algal blooms can take over local ecosystems leaving little room or food for local plant or animal life. Whole ecosystems can gradually be wiped out. (What a great name for a documentary: Death from Washing Dishes.... Okay, I digress J)
5. Use Only Dishwasher Safe Containers
While we're on the subject of toxic chemicals, be careful what kinds of plastic you put in the dishwasher. Wash only dishwasher-safe items. Certain kinds of plastics, often found in non-reusable containers such as water bottles, can under heat, break down, and leach harmful chemicals. This is a hazard both to your family and to local waterways. Rinse the plastic containers by hand and then put them in the recycling bin.
6. Use the Light Cycle
Experiment. Many dishwashers are so efficient these days that all but the grungiest loads can be effectively washed on the light cycle. The heavier cycles will require more water and more heat. You can likely do without that at least most of the time.
7. Air Dry
Your dishwasher is likely programmed to use a fan or electric heat to dry your dishes. Instead, at the end of the washing cycle, just open the door a little and let the dishes air dry. If you do the dishes in the evening, next morning they'll be ready to unload.
8. Skip the Pre-Rinse
Most models today are powerful enough to do a great job of cleaning your dishes without you having to rinse them by hand. So save yourself time and energy: skip the pre-rinse, just fill up the dishwasher and get on with your life.