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Original poster

If you are 50 or over...

202 replies

TheStudioWasFilled · 26/02/2026 17:12

(light hearted!)

do you own (and use) a dishwasher? DP and I were looking at self-catering properties and he's happy to pick one without a dishwasher. For me there's no way I'll be washing the dishes by hand. We've both over 50 and there's no way I'll do any 'manual work' unless it's absolutely necessary! Especially while on holiday. I love our dishwasher and I put pretty much any kitchen item in it unless it's electrical or wooden (although wooden spoons and spatulas do go in).

If you're 50 or over, how keen are you on your dishwasher? Would you be happy to live in a home without one? Or go on holiday where you have to do the washing up?

OP posts:
PerspicaciaTick · 26/02/2026 19:49

We have one at home but rarely use it.
On holiday it is a nice to have but not essential.

15February1960 · 26/02/2026 19:49

I go abroad a good few times a year and long weekends away I the UK
. All in Villas/ apartments or cottages etc and one of first things l look for is to see if there is a dishwasher ( 2nd a washing machine) I'm 67 and can't remember last time l did the pots by hand.. no way.

HappyToSmile · 26/02/2026 19:49

I have a dishwasher and I use my dishwasher. However, i actually like washing up by hand, so it really wouldn't bother me not to have one.
My daughter on the other hand... .

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Home improvement
BauhausOfEliott · 26/02/2026 19:51

I’m 50. I’ve got a dishwasher now but I’ve only had one for about seven years. I like it and I’d always want to have one at home now, but I wouldn’t care about having one in a holiday cottage. We don’t cook on holiday and It takes about 20 seconds to rinse out a couple of mugs, or a wine glass and a plate that’s had some cheese and crackers on it. That would be the limit of our food prep when self catering; we eat out every night.

BauhausOfEliott · 26/02/2026 19:51

I’m 50. I’ve got a dishwasher now but I’ve only had one for about seven years. I like it and I’d always want to have one at home now, but I wouldn’t care about having one in a holiday cottage. We don’t cook on holiday and It takes about 20 seconds to rinse out a couple of mugs, or a wine glass and a plate that’s had some cheese and crackers on it. That would be the limit of our food prep when self catering; we eat out every night.

BauhausOfEliott · 26/02/2026 19:51

I’m 50. I’ve got a dishwasher now but I’ve only had one for about seven years. I like it and I’d always want to have one at home now, but I wouldn’t care about having one in a holiday cottage. We don’t cook on holiday and It takes about 20 seconds to rinse out a couple of mugs, or a wine glass and a plate that’s had some cheese and crackers on it. That would be the limit of our food prep when self catering; we eat out every night.

BauhausOfEliott · 26/02/2026 19:51

I’m 50. I’ve got a dishwasher now but I’ve only had one for about seven years. I like it and I’d always want to have one at home now, but I wouldn’t care about having one in a holiday cottage. We don’t cook on holiday and It takes about 20 seconds to rinse out a couple of mugs, or a wine glass and a plate that’s had some cheese and crackers on it. That would be the limit of our food prep when self catering; we eat out every night.

DaffodilTuesday · 26/02/2026 19:54

Poll needs to have an option of ‘do not have a dishwasher anyway’

Splashadolphin · 26/02/2026 19:58

No dishwasher but have been talking about getting one. Wouldn't care if going self catering as only make breakfast, snacks, lunch to take out, tea etc so not much to wash anyway.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 26/02/2026 20:33

We have a dishwasher. It gets used maybe two or three times a year. By the time I’ve stacked it all I could have washed up and be sat down. And no getting up later to put it all away. Very very rarely use the tumble dryer either.

henlake7 · 26/02/2026 20:38

Nope, no dishwasher.
I had one years ago but as I live alone it was kinda pointless. Doesn't take much effort to wash up myself.

HoppityBun · 26/02/2026 20:42

My dishwasher cleans better than I do, and I enjoy having it, but for a self catering holiday it wouldn’t even be anything I’d check for.

FourChimneys · 26/02/2026 20:55

We do not own a dishwasher, washing up by hand is so quick and easy.

We always go self catering as we tend to have very active outdoor holidays and I don't want to stay anywhere where I can't eat breakfast in my relevant gear or arrive back wet and muddy. If the place has a dishwasher we just ignore it. A couple of plates and mugs plus a pot or two is hardly onerous.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 26/02/2026 21:07

Not sure what age has to do with it. I have had a dishwasher since I was 22. I will wash up by hand if required ( too much stuff for dishwasher, when visiting people, on holiday when often the dishwashers are tiny integrated things). It is essential for our family though. Place would be a mess without it! Goes on at least once a day.

Titsywoo · 26/02/2026 21:09

I can't live without a dishwasher. I actually have 2!

Titsywoo · 26/02/2026 21:10

Sorry meant to say but I'm not bothered if there isn't one in a holiday let as I am less rushed on holiday

gamerchick · 26/02/2026 21:16

You make being over 50 sound like it's old!! What's being over 50 got to do with washing dishes?

I've personally never had a dishwasher. I think they're weird when dishes take a couple of minutes.

And I'm over 50.

FrozenFebruary · 26/02/2026 21:17

TheStudioWasFilled · 26/02/2026 17:12

(light hearted!)

do you own (and use) a dishwasher? DP and I were looking at self-catering properties and he's happy to pick one without a dishwasher. For me there's no way I'll be washing the dishes by hand. We've both over 50 and there's no way I'll do any 'manual work' unless it's absolutely necessary! Especially while on holiday. I love our dishwasher and I put pretty much any kitchen item in it unless it's electrical or wooden (although wooden spoons and spatulas do go in).

If you're 50 or over, how keen are you on your dishwasher? Would you be happy to live in a home without one? Or go on holiday where you have to do the washing up?

I'm 57, no dishwasher.

I'm planning my new kitchen, that won't have one either.

holiday place I definitely wouldn't care either way.

notacooldad · 26/02/2026 21:18

Im 60. Ive had a dish washer for 36 years. ( not the same one though)

FrozenFebruary · 26/02/2026 21:22

GenerousGardener · 26/02/2026 19:37

It’s the 21st century. No one should be washing up by hand.

I'll do what I prefer thank you!!

CandyflossKid · 26/02/2026 21:22

55 ........and had first dishwasher 3 months ago in newly fitted kitchen.

Always said I could definitely live without a dishwasher............ however, I really don't think I can now.

FairViewRosie25 · 26/02/2026 21:26

Had 10 months since an Airbnb while our house was being fixed. No dishwasher. Never again.

tobee · 26/02/2026 21:30

Always had a dishwasher and I’m nearly 58. Grew up in a household that always had a dishwasher. When my last broke down I made sure the new one was delivered next day with fitting included. All the dirty stuff in the 24 hours waited to be washed in the new dishwasher.

Went on holiday a few years ago to a tiny beautiful cottage that was perfect except too small to have a dishwasher. Washing up there was just not enough room to put everything in the rack on the draining board especially with rinsing as well. Everything started floating off everywhere - it was a pain. Now I always, always want a dishwasher; first thing I check.

BettyRizzoSlaps · 26/02/2026 21:33

I'm 55 and I've never had one. I honestly don't care, washing the dishes isn't a chore that bothers me at all tbh. Putting it away is an arse ache, but there's not getting around that, sadly!

februaryrains · 26/02/2026 21:37

Seasidegrandma · 26/02/2026 17:22

I chose a dishwasher rather than a washing machine, when I moved into current property, as their was only room for one machine.
On holiday I'm not too bothered

But surely it’s far easier to wash up
plates and even saucepans than to wash towels and bed linen by hand??