Day 22: More Clean, More Green! Handwashing vs. Dishwashing: the surprising winner

This post is going to address everyone's favorite past-time: dishwashing! (it also ties nicely into my topic from yesterday)

A recent study done at the University of Bonn in Germany suggests that dishwashers use half of the energy, one sixth of the water and of course, less soap, than washing the same amount of dishes by hand (my source doesn't state what kind of dishwasher was used). Apparently, the cleanliness and efficiency of the dishwasher cannot be matched by even the most efficient human dishwasher.

But, I don't have a dishwasher in my apartment, nor can I really afford one and don't have a place to install it. What can I do?

Here are a few tips that I found that I can incorporate into my dishwashing routine:

1) Use eco-friendly dishwashing soap/liquid (biodegradable is great!).
2) Use less water. You don't have to fill the sink to the brim with water, and don't leave the tap running for rinsing dishes.
3)The Dippy-Cup technique: fill one glass with soap and water. Dip your scrub brush or sponge into the cup. Scrub dish. Repeat.
4)Rinse the entire dish-rack at once, not one dish at a time.Give them a quick spray over with the spray nozzle once they are in the rack.
5) Combine all of the above methods!

Any other tips/suggestions?

Happy Saturday night!