Should You Hand Wash or Use a Dishwasher to Waste Less Water? What Pros Recommend

Whether you wash dishes by hand or in the dishwasher, a significant amount of water is used. Have you ever wondered which of the two uses less water? We asked experts to weigh in on the topic, and the consensus is this: While the choice to hand wash dishes or use a dishwasher comes down to personal preference, when it comes to water usage, the dishwasher actually uses less water.

There are pros and cons to both hand washing and using a dishwasher. While one is more energy and time efficient, the other is gentler on dishes and a better option for cleaning delicate items such as vintage china or pre-seasoned cast iron cookware. Below, experts share exactly how much water both cleaning methods use as well as the pros and cons of each.

Which One Uses Less Water?

“Dishwashers are more energy-efficient and use less water than washing dishes by hand,” Shae Wilder, manager of designer relations at BlueStar, says.

Shae explains that on average, a dishwasher uses between four and six gallons of water per cycle, while hand washing dishes can use up to 20 gallons, because water is typically running for approximately 10 minutes at a time.

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When Should You Hand Wash Your Dishes vs. Use a Dishwasher?

Walter Pitsch, leader for fittings engineering at LIXIL, explains how the choice between hand washing and using a dishwasher often depends on the specific task and personal preference.

There are many instances when hand washing is the preferred option, even though Pitsch agrees that the method uses more water than the dishwasher does. According to Pitsch, hand washing is more suitable if you are cleaning delicate dishes, need to quickly rinse a favorite utensil for immediate re-use, or you’re washing oversized items such as large pots and pans.

In addition to fragile items like certain types of glassware, Wilder says you should always hand wash cast iron pieces as the dishwasher will remove their well-seasoned surface and cause the material to rust.

Pros and Cons of Hand Washing Dishes

Pros of Hand Washing

• Hand washing delicate, vintage, or hand-painted dishes is more gentle than using a dishwasher, which can cause permanent surface damage.
• It’s faster to hand wash a couple of items if you need to re-use them quickly or don’t want to wait until you have a full load to run.
• Washing dishes by hand allows you to concentrate on any stubborn stains that require extra attention.
• Some cookware items, such as cast iron pans, require hand washing to prevent rusting.

Cons of Hand Washing

• According to experts, hand washing actually uses more water than a dishwasher does.
• Cleaning sponges, if not stored properly and replaced regularly, can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Even if you wash dishes with hot water and dish detergent, bacteria from the dirty sponge can potentially transfer onto your dishes.
• Washing dishes by hand does not provide the same level of sanitation that a dishwasher does due to the temperature level and intensity of the spraying jets the appliance uses.
• Frequently washing dishes by hand can cause your hands to become extremely dry.

Pros and Cons of Using a Dishwasher

Pros of Using a Dishwasher

• “One of the biggest pros is its efficiency in both time and energy consumption—it only takes a few minutes to load a full dishwasher and run it, while washing by hand can easily take 10 to 20 minutes to complete,” Wilder says.
• Between the high temperatures and powerful sprayers that a dishwasher uses, it achieves a much more thorough level of cleaning and sanitizing than hand washing does.
• As the pros have established, a dishwasher uses less water than hand washing does.
• It’s more gentle on your hands, sparing them from excessive dryness.

Cons of Using a Dishwasher

• Not all dishes are dishwasher-safe. Some are too delicate or fragile for a dishwasher and need to be hand washed.
• Sometimes it’s faster to hand wash dishes than to use a dishwasher, especially when you only need to clean a couple of items and don’t want to run a cycle when the appliance is half-empty.
• Dishwashers require regular maintenance and repair, and replacement costs can be significant.
• Some oversized serving pieces or cookware are too big to fit in a dishwasher and therefore need to be hand washed.