How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use?

In an effort to be more environmentally conscious and conserve water at home, many people are making the switch to water-efficient practices in the kitchen. However, some people mistakenly believe that hand washing dishes is eco-friendlier. Read on to learn how much water dishwashers use and how you can reduce your water usage when washing dishes.

Do Dishwashers Save Water?

One big question that many people ask is: Do dishwashers save water? The good news is that using your dishwasher saves more water than hand-washing your dishes.

Hand-Washing vs. Dishwashers

On average, a standard dishwasher uses 10 gallons of water for every load. However, dishwashers made after 2013 have their water consumption capped at 5 gallons for each load, with energy-efficient models like the Whirlpool dishwashers, which are Energy-Star-rated, using as little as 3 gallons.

If you washed the same dishwasher load of dishes by hand, you could use up to 27 gallons of water to achieve the same results. A typical faucet runs approximately 2 gallons per minute, so, unless you are very quick at washing and rinsing your dishes, it's likely your stainless steel dishwasher does a better and more water-efficient job of producing clean dishes.

How to Reduce the Water Consumption of Your Dishwasher

If you want to reduce the amount of water consumption in your kitchen, there are a few things you can do in addition to buying an energy-saving dishwasher.

Only Run the Dishwasher When It Is Full

The water-saving benefits of your Energy Star dishwasher only apply if you run the dishwasher with a full load. So, if you are a smaller household that doesn't run the dishwasher every day, check the user manual to see if your dishwasher has a rinse and hold feature, which can ensure food particles don't dry and stick to your dishes.

Loading your dishwasher correctly is the key to clean dishes every time you run your appliance. Poorly loaded washers do not allow the water spray to access all surfaces of the dishes and may result in needing to rewash them. Avoid rewashing by loading your dishes right the first time.

Modern dishwashers offer a range of programs to suit different levels of staining. Some programs use less water or a lower temperature for less soiled dishes, while other programs like the Bosch ExtraSrub feature is designed to remove baked on residual food and tough grease from pots and pans.

Avoid using the same program for every load and check your user manual to see which programs you have available on your dishwasher model.

If you have a GE Profile dishwasher, it features a "steam and sani" cycle, which loosens food and stains using steam, and helps the dishwasher use less overall water.

Pre-rinsing dishes uses up to 55,000 gallons of water over the life of the appliance. Modern dishwashers are designed to remove food particles effectively without the need for pre-rinsing. Just scrape the scraps into the garbage disposal to avoid clogging the filter and load your dishes straight into the dishwasher.

Keeping your dishwasher running smoothly ensures that it consistently cleans dishes properly and avoids wasting water. Cleaning and maintenance are a vital part of caring for your dishwasher. Clean your dishwasher once per month with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and remove the filter and clean with soap and a soft bristle brush.

If any mechanical problems arise with your dishwasher, it is best to call a professional technician to solve the problem as soon as possible. However, if you have an old model dishwasher that needs repairing often, it may be time to replace your dishwasher with a new Energy Star dishwasher.

If you have a garden at home, you may be able to set up a greywater system to reuse the wastewater from your dishwasher to irrigate your plants. Some states do not allow greywater systems, so check your codes and policies. You must also use eco-friendly detergents in your dishwasher to prevent damage to the garden.

The Takeaway

Now you know the answer to the question: How much water does a dishwasher use? It's time to put down the sponge and start using your dishwasher to save both energy and water in your kitchen-and even a little elbow grease! To learn more about Energy Star dishwashers or to find the quietest dishwasher for your home, talk to our friendly customer service staff at Goedeker's at 1-888-768-1710.