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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to stop using the dishwasher?

81 replies

gremlindolphin · 20/08/2013 00:06

We have just come back from hols where we took turns washing up or did it together and it just seemed so much better!

I have been told it is more efficient to use the dishwasher but I think it is a waste of effort to load and unload it especially as it invariably ends up with me doing it!

I am probably thinking nostalgically about this but I remember my parents and i would spend 15 mins together every evening washing, drying and putting away - job done.

Anyone want to join me in dumping the dishwasher?

OP posts:
ShakeAndVac · 20/08/2013 11:31

With the washing machine, I sort out a load, fill it, and have to make sure I'm going to be home for the next 1.5 hours whilst it runs,

Confused Why?!

ShakeAndVac · 20/08/2013 11:32

Vodka in dishwasher?! intrigued

KatyTheCleaningLady · 20/08/2013 11:35

I agree with the op. In the time it takes to load the thing I can wash the dishes by hand. And do a better job.

Also, I find it much less annoying to have clean dishes on the drainer than in the machine.

magimedi · 20/08/2013 11:36

I love my dishwasher.

ShakeandVac : The fire brigade advise that you do not leave your house empty while dishwashers or washing machines are running. Fire hazard.

LondonMan · 20/08/2013 11:47

We inherited one with the house, it was used once or twice, last time was more than ten years ago.

It takes 15 seconds to wash a plate under a running tap (each do our own immediately after eating) and maybe a minute to wash "the" cooking pot. (Almost all meals involve one-pot recipe, plus rice.) The teflon rice cooker pot takes 30 seconds to empty/wipe before being re-used.

I think using a dishwasher would take several times as long as doing things manually.

Silverstar2 · 20/08/2013 11:47

It seems 50/50 doesn't it, with those who seem unable to live without one, and those that neven bother.

I fall in the 'never had one, don't see the point' camp. My MIL makes me laugh, she swears by her dishwasher, but won't put in glasses, all her cutlery is wooden handled so that can't go in, she has loads of pots that can't go in for some reason, and she runs a bowl of water to rinse everything in before it goes in........ really? Just wash the stuff up by hand FGS!

I don't mind washing up, and we are a family of 4. I just have a bowl of hot water ready and do it as I go along, it really is no bother. And we have no space for a dishwaher anyway, and no space for all the extra plates we would need.

Now ironing, on the other hand I HATE.

HeathRobinson · 20/08/2013 11:47

magimedi - I thought that was only for tumble driers? I always leave my dishwasher and washing machine on when I'm out.

LondonMan · 20/08/2013 11:48

Though I'm not speaking from experience as it wasn't me that used it the one or two times.

ShakeAndVac · 20/08/2013 11:51

magimedi - I thought that was only for tumble driers? I always leave my dishwasher and washing machine on when I'm out.

I've only heard about tumble driers not being left on when out as well. Never heard it applied to washing machines or dishwashers?

Plomino · 20/08/2013 11:52

With 7 of us in this house , washing up would take a damn sight longer than 15 minutes . Our dishwasher runs full 3 times a day , so there would be no way on earth I'd not have one .

When ours broke , and then needed a part that was taking ages to arrive , I became such a thorn in the side of Zanussi , that they ended up replacing it , just to shut me up .

Jan49 · 20/08/2013 12:20

*With the washing machine, I sort out a load, fill it, and have to make sure I'm going to be home for the next 1.5 hours whilst it runs,

Why?!*

I'd be worried about it catching fire or flooding or something going wrong that needed to be dealt with. I run it when I'm awake and around. If I had to go out I'd turn it off mid-cycle if necessary. I suppose it comes down to how risk averse you are. I obviously leave the fridge on and go out or go to bed but I wouldn't leave the washing machine on. I haven't got a tumble drier and wouldn't leave that on if I had one.

magimedi · 20/08/2013 12:24

AFAIK it applies to dishwashers & washing machines.

One of my neighbours is a firefighter - I'll ask him when I next see him.

Morloth · 20/08/2013 13:40

I will risk a fire to not have to supervise my white goods.

I had no idea people waited for things to finish.

Just isn't an option here, way too busy.

I wouldn't run the tumble dryer overnight whilst we were asleep in the house though and I keep my lint filter perfect.

miffybun73 · 20/08/2013 15:06

YABU, I love my dishwasher :)

PenguinBear · 20/08/2013 16:22

YABU!! I love mine! If you have a proper system, it takes minutes. I load mine (family of 6) in about 2 minutes flat. Te wash takes 30minutes and then It is unloaded in another 2minutes.

If you are struggling with it, you might be doing it wrong Wink

trinity0097 · 20/08/2013 16:41

29min for a quick wash in the dishwasher, far easier than hand washing and things get much cleaner! Also haven't studies shown it is cheaper?

whitesugar · 20/08/2013 16:55

My washing machine broke a while ago and I went to the laundrette for about a week before replacing it. My dishwasher broke and it was replaced by lunchtime the next day. Any crockery or cutlery that are not suitable for dishwashers get thrown out.

melika · 20/08/2013 17:28

I would never moan about loading/unloading the dishwasher, even though it is long way from kitchen sink(stupid previous people put it in the utility).

But it is my secret friend, Miele, who helps me to be sane. Let's face it, no one helps me, what's the alternative?

Capitola · 20/08/2013 17:31

No way could we live without a dishwasher. We had to replace it recently and had 2 days without. It was not good.

lifesgreatquestions · 20/08/2013 17:32

On my own I was happy to do my washing up. And like you OP, I have fond memories of doing the washing up with my mother, we'd make up songs and chat about stuff. However, the peace the dishwasher has brought us is priceless. If only other household items were as incredibly useful and relationship-saving as the dishwasher!

WhispersOfWickedness · 20/08/2013 18:46

Marriage saver here as well!

All those who thinks it takes longer to use a dishwasher than handwashing, you do know you don't have to stand next to it whilst it's washing, don't you?!Confused

FasterStronger · 20/08/2013 18:57

we have a Miele as well and it is great: (1) it dries at the end of the cycle (2) it has an extra draw at the top so cutlery is sorted and easy to put away (3) it has more space in the bottom draw for pans etc.

and very energy efficient.
I am waiting for the washing machine to break as their new washers have a home dry clean option.

ChippingInHopHopHop · 20/08/2013 18:59

I don't know why I hate emptying them - I just do.

I hate that they don't always do a good job.

I hate that they need salt/cleaning/filters emptying.

I hate dirty dishes sitting in them.

I hate that they ruin glasses & other things.

I wouldn't put my good glasses, pots, dishes in them - so I'd still end up washing stuff up.

I don't have dirty dishes sitting on the side all the time - they get washed.

All our plates, cups, glasses are in the 'top' cupboards (no choice) so not a job that is practical/safe to delegate to small people and I wouldn't anyway - I like my dishes :)

ChippingInHopHopHop · 20/08/2013 19:01

Oh and I hate that half the time the dishes aren't dry or something has tipped over and there's revolting dirty water in it - bleurghhhh

I'd much sooner just wash up :)

purple15 · 20/08/2013 19:10

Why hasn't the cost been discussed ?

Our dishwasher broke about a year ago, and because of the cost of our energy bills, we thought we would go back to washing up.

How much do you think it cost each time ?