Dishwashers vs. Hand Washing: Which is Best?

While many people today use a dishwasher to scrub their dishes and kitchenware clean, not everyone enjoys the same luxury. There are still plenty of people across the country who eschew the conveniences of machine-powered washing in favor of cleaning each item by hand. And believe it or not, some actually do so by choice, preferring not to deal with the drawbacks of a dishwasher.

While convenience is a big selling point for many people who opt for a dishwasher, the reality is that there are many pros and cons not just for hand washing, but using a dishwasher as well. One of the main points of concern is trying to determine what method of cleaning is least damaging to your Corelle and other dish ware — it’s an unfortunate reality that dishes can become chipped or broken in the cleaning process.

But there are other issues to consider as well. Here’s a neat-and-simple breakdown.

Dishwasher pros

Of course, the easy of using a dishwasher can’t be matched by hand washing. But when it comes to dish safety — making sure that germs and bacteria are effectively killed in the washing process — dishwashers can also have an edge over hand washing. Your dishwasher is capable of using very hot water that kills all bacteria and germs, and does so without exposing your skin to high heats. Even the drying process uses hot air to keep temperatures high and make sure dangerous germs are dead.

Dishwasher cons

For all the benefits, there are some drawbacks. First off, the high heat can be damaging to some dishes — you might actually have some items that can’t be dishwashed because of the risk of warping or other damage. Some dishwashers can leave a detergent residue on dishes that makes them look dirty and stained, which can be embarrassing when you’re handing out dishes to guests in your home. And because detergents contain chemicals that may be harmful for children, you’ll have to keep these products out of a child’s reach at all times, and there’s the slight possibility that the residues could introduce those chemicals into your body.

Hand washing pros

When it comes to washing a small amount of dishes at once — which is common for people who live alone or otherwise fail to ever fill the dishwasher with an entire load — hand washing can be quicker, easier and more efficient with water and soap. You can also make a dirty dish clean much faster than what happens during a dishwasher cycle. And you can hand wash any dish and get the same results, which you can’t say when putting dishes in a dishwasher.

Hand washing cons

Because of the risk of scalding your skin, it’s impossible to expose hand washed dishes to the high temperatures of a dishwasher. That makes it tougher to fully eradicate all germs and bacteria. And when you’re washing large amounts of dishes, it can actually lead to more wasted water than what you would get from a dishwasher. Plus, it’s a tedious, time-consuming process.

While dishwashers aren’t expected to fall out of favor anytime soon, it’s your decision alone to decide what solution is best for you. You might ultimately find that your best solution is one combining both hand washing and a dishwashing machine. Whatever the case, just make sure your dishes are being effectively cleaned of germs and aren’t suffering unnecessary damage during the cleaning process.