How-to
How to Use Your Dishwasher Efficiently
🇩🇪 Diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesenRun the dishwasher only when it's full, skip pre-rinsing (just scrape plates), and use the eco setting, which takes longer but uses less energy. Air-dry instead of heated drying and clean the filter monthly.
Many people still pre-rinse dishes or run half-full loads. Modern dishwashers are designed to handle food residue and use only a few gallons per cycle, so a few habit changes can save a lot.
Step by step
- Scrape, don't rinse
Remove food scraps into the trash. Pre-rinsing under the tap wastes water, and many detergents work better with some food soil.
- Run full loads
Wait until the dishwasher is full; a half load uses nearly the same water and energy.
- Choose eco mode
Eco cycles run longer at lower temperatures and save energy. Use them for everyday loads.
- Skip heated dry
Turn off heated drying and crack the door open after the cycle ends to let dishes air-dry.
- Load correctly
Face dirty surfaces toward the spray arms and don't block them with large items.
- Clean the filter
Remove and rinse the filter monthly so water circulates freely.
- Run during off-peak hours
On time-of-use plans, use the delay start to run the dishwasher when electricity is cheaper.
Dishwasher vs. hand washing
| Efficient dishwasher | Hand washing under running water | |
|---|---|---|
| Water per full load | About 3–4 gallons | Often much more |
| Hot water energy | Heated efficiently inside the machine | Uses your water heater continuously |
| Time | Minutes of loading | Much longer |
What does a cycle cost?
Appliance Electricity Cost CalculatorWhat does a device cost to run?Try the calculator →Frequently asked questions
Do I need rinse aid?
Rinse aid helps water sheet off dishes, which improves drying, especially when you skip heated dry.
Why are my dishes still dirty?
Common causes are a clogged filter, blocked spray arms, overloading or using too little detergent for hard water.