What Is The Most Eco-Friendly Way To Wash Dishes?

Washing dishes might feel like a small, everyday task, but the way you do it can have a noticeable environmental impact. Traditional dish soaps, disposable sponges, and running water continuously can waste energy, increase water use, and generate unnecessary plastic waste. With a few practical shifts, your dishwashing routine can become much more eco-friendly — whether you prefer a dishwasher or hand-washing.

Below, explore the most sustainable ways to wash dishes, plus habits and product choices that help reduce waste, conserve water, and limit microplastics in your home.

Dishwasher vs. Hand-Washing: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?

Both methods can be sustainable, so how you wash matters more than which method you choose. At a quick glance: 

• Dishwashers are often more efficient. Modern dishwashers use significantly less water than most people expect. Running a full load typically uses just a few gallons, while hand-washing with a constantly running tap can use far more. When used properly, dishwashers often come out ahead on both water and energy efficiency.

• Hand-washing can still be eco-friendly. Hand-washing is sustainable when you avoid leaving the tap running, use a wash basin, and avoid excess soap. If you wash dishes shortly after eating, it also reduces the need for heavy scrubbing or soaking.

The Environmental Effects of Using a Dishwasher

According to a study done by UCLA in 2016, the environmental footprint of dishwashers is exactly what you would expect. They contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing, shipping, and installation processes, they use natural gas to heat the water used, and on average, they use about 4 gallons of water and 1 kilowatt-hour of energy per load.

So yes, this is a considerable impact.

But dishwashers do have their upsides. Most models have eco-friendly settings, most companies have models designed to reduce CO2 emissions, and almost all dishwashers maximize the amount of cleaning done given the amount of water used. So all in all, they don’t sound too bad, right?

The Environmental Footprint of Washing Dishes by Hand

This may be shocking, but a German study found that washing 12 dishes by hand uses an average of 27 gallons of water, and 2.5-kilowatt-hours of energy to heat that water! Which, in case you were wondering, is twice the amount of energy and six times the amount of water used by a dishwasher!

These wild and crazy numbers are actually based on behaviors that people exhibit while washing dishes by hand. Firstly, an analysis by the Dutch Ministry of Environment found that most people run hot water continuously while hand washing, so that is a key factor. Secondly, many hand washers are not effectively cleaning their dishes by hand, which leads to more time spent running the water, and in turn, more water used. These washing errors are harmful for the environment.

But if you remove these behaviors, do dishwashers and hand washing even out? According to the studies from UCLA, the answer is actually…yes! All studies agreed that the most important part in determining these two methods’ impact has nothing to do with them. It’s how you use them!

5 Sustainable Tips for Dishwasher Use

1. Run the dishwasher only when fully loaded, and don’t use settings like half loads and pots and pans (they waste 2 more gallons of water on average)

2. Scrape your plates into the compost before washing or loading them into a machine (compost is better than trash since food that breaks down in landfills can release methane gas)

3. Choose an eco-setting or a lower temperature, if available.

4. Skip heated dry if you can; air-drying saves energy and does the same job.

5. When it comes to buying a new dishwasher, check for energy efficiency, the running costs, CO2 emissions, and consider the longevity of a machine.

5 Sustainable Tips for Handwashing

1. When handwashing, Wet the sponge and scrub all your dishes at once, save the rinsing for last

2. Make sure to keep the water off while you scrub!

3. Refill or reuse whenever possible, such as with water bottles, coffee mugs, and food storage containers

4. Hand-wash dishes right away, so you don’t waste water while scrubbing at old gunk

5. Use cooler water when possible – washing with warm rather than hot water can save energy without compromising cleanliness.

6. Cut out single-use plastic waste with Blueland Powder Dish Soap! Simply pour the powder onto a wet sponge, and start cleaning!

Choose Sustainable Dish Cleaning Products

Beyond changing your habits, the products you choose for dish cleaning can make a big difference in creating a more sustainable routine. Look for cleaning solutions that minimize plastic, avoid harmful chemicals, and are designed to reduce their impact on waterways. Using concentrated, refillable, or plastic-free products means less waste, lower carbon footprint, and a cleaner kitchen without compromise.

Blueland makes it simple to wash dishes sustainably. Whether you’re deciding between dishwasher detergent vs dish soap, we have you covered. Our plastic-free dishwasher detergent tablets deliver a powerful clean without the PVA film, while Powder Dish Soap offers a zero-waste, refillable alternative for handwashing. Pair these with eco-friendly accessories like reusable cloths and sponges, and you’ve got a full system that’s both effective and gentle on the planet. 

Small Changes, Big Impact

Even small adjustments in how you wash dishes can significantly reduce your environmental footprint. By combining mindful habits with sustainable products, you’re conserving water, saving energy, and cutting down on single-use plastics. Over time, these efforts create a cleaner kitchen and contribute to a healthier planet, proving that eco-friendly dishwashing doesn’t have to be complicated, just intentional.

Sources:

1. Energy. Dishwashers.

2. University of Michigan. Fighting climate change at the sink: A guide to greener dishwashing

3. Research Gate. A guide to household manual and machine dishwashing through a life cycle perspective.

4. UCLA. A Financial Analysis of Cap-and-Trade’s Impact on Households in Disadvantaged Communities Across California.

5. Spokesman. Is handwashing your dishes better? New study says no.