We’ve all walked into our kitchens, looked at the dishes stacked high in the sink, and asked, “Is it better to throw those in the dishwasher or wash them by hand?” The dishwasher would certainly save you some time, but many people believe that washing dishes by hand uses less water and electricity. In reality, however, washing your dishes by hand is one of the worst things you can do for both the planet and your wallet. Dishwashers use less water than washing by hand. A study conducted in Europe found that individuals who wash dishes by hand tend to use 27 gallons of water to clean just 12 place settings. ARE YOU WASTING WATER, TIME, AND MONEY? Hand-Washing vs. Dishwasher
Many homes in the Lower Mainland were built without air conditioning. For some people, a few open windows during the summer months will keep their home cool. But these days more people are opting to install air conditioners in their homes, if not for their own cool comfort, then for the increase in the value of the home. The question is: What kind of air conditioner makes sense for your home? Everyone’s needs are different — and everyone’s home is different. Here are the most common varieties on the market today: The window unit. These are the most popular type of A/C units on the market, and there are many options available. You can generally find models for just about every room (and window) size. They’re relatively simple to install, but you may need to add supports outside the home for a secure installation. The portable unit. Ideal for single room cooling (though the room must have a window for venting), portable units come with wheels to maximize portability. Some units have water tanks that need to be emptied occasionally, while other units evaporate moisture through their vent system. When you need to cool one smaller room, these are great. The built-in unit. Similar to window units, built-in A/C units are ideal for areas of the home where other types of cooling systems might not work. For instance, these are ideal for rooms or areas of the home that don’t have a window. They are also commonly installed in new home additions that might not be connected to a central air system. The central system. This is the most effective way to cool (and heat) your entire home. The evaporator or heat pump sits completely outside the home, meaning you don’t have to give up a window or knock a hole in the wall. External cooling systems can be more easily installed in homes that already have a central furnace, which relies on ducts to push air through the home.
Meanwhile, modern dishwashers only use 6 gallons of water, and Energy Star appliances use as little as 4 gallons during their wash cycle. The Environmental Protection Agency determined that using a dishwasher instead of washing by hand can save 5,000 gallons of water and $40 in utility costs a year.
It’s not just about water! Unless you have incredibly thick dishwashing
gloves, you can’t properly clean your dishes by hand. Dishwashers heat water to around 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your dishes are disinfected. Even if the water from your sink could get that hot, you wouldn’t want to stick your hand in it. Which brings us to the science experiment that is your kitchen sponge. Dr. Philip Tierno, a clinical professor in the microbiology and pathology departments at NYU Langone, determined that your kitchen sponge is the single dirtiest item in your house. Soap and water aren’t enough to sanitize your sponge, which is left damp next to your sink after each use. Have you ever noticed that stagnant sponge smell? That’s bacteria growing. And when you wash your dishes by hand, you rub that bacteria all over your plates and silverware. Yum. If you have just a single plate or cup, you obviously don’t want to run them through the dishwasher alone; that would be incredibly wasteful. But the drawbacks of washing by hand are too great to ignore. The best option is to wait until your dishwasher is full, then start up the washing cycle. All your dishes will be clean and disinfected, and you’ll use less water in the process.
2 • www.lewismaclean.com
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