Hand Washing vs Dishwasher: Which is Better?

Whether you work in a commercial kitchen or are a homeowner wondering about the merits of hand washing vs. a dishwasher, we’ll give you the breakdown of which method is faster, more sanitary and water efficient.

Hand Washing vs. Dishwasher Water Usage 

Not only are dishwashers faster, but they’re more energy and water efficient, making them all around better for the environment and your pocketbook. But you want facts, so let's see what scientists and researchers have to say about which is better: hand washing vs. a dishwasher?

How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use? 

The average modern standard-size dishwasher uses under 5 gallons of water per load, and energy-efficient or compact dishwashers use as little as 3.5 gallons. Still, to get that promised efficiency out of your dishwasher, you should try to only run it when it's full. 

How Much Water Does Hand Washing Dishes Use?

Hand washing crockery uses about 2 gallons of water per minute. Depending on your hand washing practices and how many dishes you have piled high, you could easily end up using anywhere between 8 and 116 gallons of water!

Even if you circumvent this issue and save water by using a drain plug, you still need to fill the wash sink and rinse sink. Expect to replace the dirty water at least once during the chore. So let’s do a little math. Kitchen sink sizes vary greatly. So if you want to know the exact capacity of your sink, you can use this formula:

• Length x width x height ÷ 231 (cubic volume by inches) = gallons of water your sink can hold. 

For example, if your sink has measurements of 22” x 30” x 10”, then you can multiply that together and divide the answer by 231. You would find that your sink holds about 28.6 gallons. Even if you filled the sink halfway, it would still use 14.3 gallons, which is more water than what an old, inefficient dishwasher would use!

Is Hand Washing Dishes Sanitary?

Dishwashers are more sanitary than hand washing because they can achieve higher temperatures. The average dishwasher reaches between 130-140℉ and 170-180℉ for sanitization cycles, whereas human skin begins to feel pain at 111℉.

Considering the colony of bacteria on human hands at any given time combined with the lower water faucet temperature means hand washing leaves 400 times more bacteria on your cookware.

What Is the Most Sanitary Way to Wash Dishes by Hand? 

Sometimes it’s not possible to use a dishwasher. Maybe you outright don’t have one or are in a bit of a bind because large pots or flatware like fine china won’t fit or fare well in a dishwasher. In those instances where there’s no other option but to do it the old fashion way, you can follow this hand washing procedure to be nearly as energy and water efficient as a dishwasher.

• Step 1. Wash your hands – It won’t do any good to wash clean dishes with dirty hands. This step is especially important if you work in food service, so we came up with a little hand washing guide to ensure you’re adhering to food safety laws, starting with your hands. 

• Step 2. Don your gloves – You’ll want to wear a pair of rubber gloves to not only protect yourself from the heat but to also prevent your skin from drying out. 

• Step 3. Fill both sides of a split sink – Fill both sides of your sink with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap or your choice of cleaner to one side. Note: Make sure you regularly wash your sink. You can do this with a natural cleaner like vinegar, baking soda or a commercial cleaning agent. 

• Step 4. Scape food waste into a trash or compost bin – Prewashing dishes is when you rinse your plates before washing them. Remember, water goes down the drain fast–2 gallons a minute kind of fast! So to preserve the environment and keep costs down, scrape off food debris into a trash or compost bin before washing. This will also prevent you from having to change the water as often. 

• Step 5. Wash the dishes – Since sponges are notorious for harboring icky bacteria, do away with them altogether in favor of a plastic or silicon brush. Let the dishes soak for about 30 seconds to break down stuck-on food before scrubbing thoroughly. Note: Don't forget to put your brush in the dishwasher at least once a week for at-home use and after every shift in a commercial setting.

• Step 6. Rinse the dishes – Dip the clean plate in the rinse side of the sink, taking care to remove all soap residue. Do a last spot check and then set it aside for drying. 

• Step 7. Dry the dishes – Towel dry your dishes with a clean microfiber cloth or let them air dry on a rack. And that’s the most sanitary way to wash dishes by hand! Note: If you use a towel to dry your dishes, then be sure to wash them after every use.

Hand Washing vs. Dishwasher Chart

What Can and Can’t Go in the Dishwasher?

Besides size limitations, there are a few materials that should never go in the dishwasher. Here is a list of dishwasher-safe items:

Note: If you’re ever unsure whether something is safe to put in the dishwasher, you can always check the manufacturer's label or manual. However, when in doubt, play it safe. Hand wash your precocious cookware or risk damaging it, the dishwasher or both.