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How much water does a dishwasher use

How much water does a dishwasher use?

We use it every day, but do we really know what happens behind our dishwasher door? We discover how much water a dishwasher uses and how you can save this precious resource with some easy tips.

As one of the largest appliances in your home, you wouldn’t be judged for assuming your dishwasher uses a considerable amount of water with each cycle. So, do dishwashers save water or do dishwashers use a lot of water? Well, it depends on the make and model of your machine.

Of course, a modern, energy efficient dishwasher is going to be far more efficient than an older model. In fact, dishwashers dating from before 1994 can use approximately 37–56 litres of water per load1.

How to save water when using your dishwasher 

When it comes to saving water with each dishwasher cycle, every little action you take counts. Not only will the below tips help to reduce your water bill, but they will also ensure your dishwasher lives on for longer – and keeps your dishes as clean as a whistle!

Tips

  1. Save water and skip the pre-rinse. Pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher can waste around 1115 litres of water a year!
  2. Avoid multiple cycles per day by waiting to run your dishwasher until you have a full load. Of course, if you have a big family, you may well need to run the dishwasher more than a couple of times every day. Still, making sure you always have a full load before you start the machine will help ensure you’re running the most efficient cycle possible!
  3. Ensure the inside of your dishwasher is clean and that the arm sprayer isn’t hindered by obstacles. This will eliminate the need to run multiple dishwasher cycles, too.
  4. Choose an eco-setting, which will wash your dishes at a lower temperature and use less water during each cycle.
  5. Use a quality detergent like Finish Quantum Ultimate to ensure your dishes come out sparkling clean the first time, every time.

1 https://www.directenergy.com/learning-center/energy-efficiency/how-much-energy-dishwasher-use