Submitted by Daniel E.von Bose (not verified) on 27 September, 2007 - 18:03.
Hand washing is more efficient in most cases with reasonable water use practices.
With more than five in a household, prewashing before dishwashing may be more efficient. Prewashing is using a sink of plain or water even with some soap to soak and remove nearly all visible residue before sticking it in the dishwasher. This water can be used quite a bit more than normal washwater and can be quite dirty before it can no longer be used for prewash. Then it can be thrown out in the yard if you're so inclined.
The dishwasher then can wash as a water efficient setting and allowed if desired to go through a drying cycle as well.
Hand washing is more
Hand washing is more efficient in most cases with reasonable water use practices.
With more than five in a household, prewashing before dishwashing may be more efficient. Prewashing is using a sink of plain or water even with some soap to soak and remove nearly all visible residue before sticking it in the dishwasher. This water can be used quite a bit more than normal washwater and can be quite dirty before it can no longer be used for prewash. Then it can be thrown out in the yard if you're so inclined.
The dishwasher then can wash as a water efficient setting and allowed if desired to go through a drying cycle as well.