Dishwashing, keep tap turned on or turn on and off when rinsing.

[Feraldogmum]

Hi we have a condensing combi boiler so get hot water on demand. I’m attempting to use the dishwasher less but not sure if the way I wash up is costing more. When I wash up by hand, I always rinse items before draining under a hot running tap, so should I keep tap on low or turn on and off as I rinse? I don’t know if firing the boiler up several times is more costly than just running the tap. Not rinsing isn’t an option. I used to work as a nanny in my youth for a chemical engineer, who freaked out when he saw I was putting dishes straight to drain “ that’s pure poison on there” he squawked about the suds.

no, I dont agree with that definition of "chemical", it is not accurate, or "generally accepted"

I am assuming that the chemical engineer, knew the toxity of each of the chemical parts of the product and their known side effects. As for just being something I heard one time, he was very clear that his family was not to be subjected to this “ poison” he’s the expert, I just worked for him and lived in their home. Generally I listen to my dr or other experts, even if I only hear it one time and have the courtesy not to berate other people’s experiences.

anyway, you rinse in hot water if you want to, if you are more comfortable, some people are. I have an aunt who is. I wouldnt stop her. But dont go telling people the washing up residue on plates is harmful, because it isn't.

May I suggest you look it up yourself, I have said what folk generally mean when they talk of chemicals. I really don’t understand the need to pick a fight, and berate ,not my opinion but rather what I’m relaying as an experience. It’s clear that you are trying to provoke a response, I would suggest you put the effort into something more fruitful.

I’m relaying what someone said to me , get over it, and don’t tell other people what they can and cannot say. You do not have that right or power.

May I suggest you look it up yourself
I did. I even posted a link but you ignored it.

You only have to go on Google to see that it is unhygienic to not rinse dishes after washing them in the sink. It also has multiple articles and sources for the left over detergent causing illness or being an irritant. That why mainland Europeans find not rinsing dishes in the UK weird. Basically OP the grubby non-rinsers are having none of it 😂 Not sure about your tap on which is more cost efficient. I keep mine running instead of turning on/off.

I really can’t believe that about washing up liquid, surely they couldn’t sell it if it’s that bad. Why not rinse in cold water; and buy Ecover or similar. Everything has chemicals in it to some extent

I wash dishes by hand and rinse each item individually in cold water. I don't leave the tap running.
Pet bowl go in the washing up bowl after everything else has been rinsed.

Don't do that. It needs dirt to cling to

Well that’s bollox because I’ve done three cycles in my dishwasher today, plus all the normal stuff and my smart meters on £4.85 for the day.

I must confess I found it very odd when I first came to the UK that a lot of people don't rinse the washing up liquid solution away after washing up. I'm still convinced it can't be good for health. It's a detergent and I imagine some residue is left behind.

Fabric softener is another one which must leave behind a lot of residue. I never use it for this reason and also can't stand the smell.

I very rarely do the washing up by hand but I always rinse in cold running water.

I can't imagine not rinsing hand washed dishes because I don't like the smell or taste of soap... also regardless of level of toxicity it's not exactly a healthy supplement. I've never met anyone in real life who doesn't rinse dishes in clean non-soapy water after washing... must be a MN thing. But back to the OP I suspect if you have a dishwasher it's a false economy not to use it. When we didn't have one I know we used a lot more energy washing up (in every sense)!

You can't smell or taste soap on hand washed non-rinsed dishes IME. Maybe you're using too much soap if you can?

Dishwasher is far more economical. Just wait until it is full before switching on. They cost absolutely nothing remotely like £2 - £2.50 per load - that's nonsense. Maybe between 30 - 40 pence.

There was a thread on here a while ago about this, there will be circumstances where it is more economical to use a dishwasher other wise the manufacturers would be allowed to claim it, but for many of us doing smaller amounts and heating the water by gas hand washing is cheaper.

One user was spending more on their dishwasher per month than we were spending on all our gas usage ( in the summer) yet still claimed it was cheaper.

I do 99% of the washing up, piping hot water in the bowl then a quick rinse under very hot water. I checked our meter and I had used 9 pence of gas.

The numbers are so small it's not worth worrying about,I am even thinking of getting a dishwasher as I am a lazy sod.