Save Money on Dishwashing

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

05 Nov 2007 07:47 AM

Want to save some money when you do your dishes? Believe it or not, you can save plenty of money if you wash your dishes the right way. Here are some top tips you can use to really clean up.

For baked on casserole messes, don't waste gobs and gobs of dish detergent. Simply fill the dish with water and add a fabric softener sheet. You can use one that has already been through the dryer to save even more. Let the dish soak for a couple of hours or overnight. When you come back to it, all of the gunk will slip right out.

It does really pay to invest in a dishwasher for your home. Newer models are so energy efficient that it won't be long before you recoup the money you used to purchase the unit if you are upgrading from an older automatic dishwasher. And doing your dishes in the dishwasher uses a lot less water than doing them by hand, both in terms of water and detergent. The automatic dishwasher we purchased doesn't even need heat to dry the dishes, so we save energy there as well.

If you do wash your own dishes by hand, the best way to do it is to fill the sink with hot soapy water and wash the least dirty items first, such as glasses, saving pots and pans for last. This will save you from having to change your water or add more dishwashing detergent.

If your dishwasher does you heat to dry the dishes, try this trick instead. Run your dishwasher but turn off the automatic dry feature. When the load is washed, either dry them by hand with a towel as you put them away, or open the dishwasher and allow the dishes to air dry.

Run your dishwasher at night, especially if you pay for your water. Utility companies often charge a lower rate for usage at non-peak times. Take advantage of this fact to pay less.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

Related Articles:

How to Maintain Your Refrigerator for Maximum Efficiency

Leave Your Appliances Open to Save Money

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (59956) 05 Nov 2007 07:52 PM

Dishwashers also have heaters for a hotter water temperature than washing by hand. That makes for more sanitary dishes, particularly during cold and flu season.

Having 9 children, my mother received a gift in the early 1960's from my grandmother. It was one of the 1st portable dishwashers made. Almost my entire life, I have had a dishwasher.

Don't worry, I still know how to do the dishes by hand.

jonesx6 (1606) 06 Nov 2007 05:20 AM

I knew there was a reason I love my dishwasher. lol When we first bought this house it had NO dishwasher. We used a lot of paper plates, cups and silverware. In the summer months I set the timer on the dishwasher to run at night. Laura

ljb (3939) 06 Nov 2007 09:43 AM

I read this blog yesterday and thought it was odd to put a dryer sheet in with soaking dishes. Well, last night, As I was emptying the dryer, I realized that I had left the dinner pans soaking and decided what harm could it do? I was thrilled with how easy the pan came clean this morning. What a great tip! Thank you!

Mary Ann Romans (26791) 06 Nov 2007 10:10 AM

Thanks so much for the comments everyone! It is amazing how something strange such as putting a dryer sheet in a pan can work, isn't it?