LOADING the dishwasher is a divisive issue that can turn a happy household into warring sides – each adamant their method is correct.
Now experts have weighed in and revealed that stacking the dishes wrong not only winds up your significant other but costs you cash too.
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Those with the task of clearing up need to tread a delicate line between making sure the dishwasher is not too full and putting on an empty load.
If the appliance is too crowded it won’t do the job properly, whereas if you do a cycle when it’s underfilled you’ll waste money and push up bills.
Experts at energy firm Utilita worked out that the average cost of running a dishwasher cycle is 32p.
It means that running it twice a day instead of once – either because it’s been overloaded or wrongly stacked will add up to £116.80 over a year.
Archie Lasseter, Utilita’s head of sustainability, said: “With the average household energy bill still around £1,000 more than they were pre-energy crisis, we are all looking for ways to save.
“Where we may not have been bothered to change our behaviours before, now our actions are coming into sharper focus.
“Needing to put the dishwasher on again after not stacking it effectively the first time is costing households, so now is the time to get it right, first time.”
Unnecessarily swilling our plates and using a full cycle over the eco setting, further push up costs.
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Lucinda Fox from money-saving site NetVoucherCodes said: “I think a lot of people will be surprised to hear there is a correct way we should be filling up our dishwashers, which could help us save money on our water and electricity bills.
Here’s how to make sure you load and use your dishwasher correctly to save on your bills.
Avoid rinsing dishes
Many of us will rinse our plates before popping them in the dishwasher but it’s not necessary.
Of course, you should remove bits of food to prevent your dishwasher from getting blocked.
But giving dishes a pre-wash is a waste of water and money because you are in effect doing the dishwasher’s job, according to the experts.
A full dishwasher uses around ten times less water than handwashing the same number of dishes, but that saving is undermined if dishes are pre-rinsed.
Utilita Energy previously worked out that rinsing plates with hot water costs around £38 a year, and £11 when using cold.
Stack correctly
There is an art to loading the dishwasher correctly, according to Lucinda from NetVoucherCodes.
She explained: “Cups and bowls should be on the top shelf of your dishwasher facing down.
“This allows the spray arms to effectively get inside the kitchenware and clean them properly.”
Utensils and cutlery should also face up.
She added: “If your dishwasher has a basket for the utensils, it can be tempting to put them face down as it’s easier.
“However, this prevents the water from being able to access the dirty parts of the cutlery.”
Dishes should face inwards otherwise they’ll get missed by the spray arms. And trays and pans should be on the bottom.
Lucinda said: “Any trays or pans with tough residue should be placed on the bottom shelf facing down as this is where the water pressure is the highest.
If you load from the back to the front of the dishwasher, you’ll be able to put more crockery in.
Don’t run the cycle half empty
Wait until you have enough dirty plates to start the dishwasher.
Lucinda said: “Just like the washing machine you’ll want to wait until it’s fully loaded before putting it on to get the most out of it.”
But be careful not to overcrowd the dishes as this can prevent them from being cleaned properly – meaning you’ll need to rewash them.
As noted, if it means you’re running the machine twice a day instead of once, this will add up to £116.80 over a year.
On top of rinsing plates, this adds up to £154.80.
Use the eco mode
If your plates have been lightly used with no heavy stains – chances are lighter washes or the eco mode is enough to do the job.
Utilita Energy has found that three in five households have never used their dishwasher’s eco mode.
Yet, this setting can save a household £34 a year, on average – adding up to £188.80 in potential savings along with the other measures.
We have also looked at little-known boiler settings that can save you cash over the summer.
As well as under-used television settings.
