Use a dishwasher

Using a dishwasher is generally considered more economical than washing dishes by hand. A study by the University of Bonn found that a dishwasher uses only about half the energy and one-sixth of the water of washing dishes by hand. However, it is important to note that this assumes the dishwasher is loaded efficiently and run on a full cycle.

Modern dishwashers are designed to use less water and energy than older models. Additionally, many dishwashers have features like eco-mode and delay start that further reduce energy consumption.

To make dishwashing more economical, you can:

• Use the dishwasher only when it's full to avoid running it several times with only a few dishes
• Use the eco-mode setting on the dishwasher to reduce water and energy usage
• Pre-rinse dishes only when necessary, as pre-rinsing can waste water
• Scrape leftover food off dishes instead of rinsing them under running water
• Use the right detergent to ensure that the dishwasher cleans the dishes effectively while using less water and energy.