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Ethical living

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Original poster

Help with dishwashing please

20 replies

mumblecrumble · 04/12/2009 22:41

Hey folks,
Yes, bought a dishwasher... this is a dream come true after much saving and all our birthday and xmas money....

Don;t be cross. Am disabled in the arms...

Have no understanding about what goes in them.... what is most ethical way to use dishawasher?

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Original poster
mumblecrumble · 04/12/2009 23:17

You all think i'm evil don;t you....

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Original poster
mumblecrumble · 05/12/2009 08:52

bump

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BlueKangerooWonders · 05/12/2009 09:30

Fill it right up (no half loads) and it saves water against washing by hand.

Not sure best ethical stance on tablets/ powder etc; I just go with the cheapest...

shallishanti · 06/12/2009 19:33

don't think you're evil at all!
If you use the dishwasher properly, I think it uses less energy than usual method.
We run ours once a day...usually works out that it's emptied before dinner, then loaded, then I rinse, then it's loaded up as we go the next day (I don't usually rinse again) and wash next evening. Ours has a v short cycle (30 mins) which is usually good enough. Ours also has eco options, these I think are much longer but colder cycles, it's heating the water that uses most energy.

Original poster
mumblecrumble · 06/12/2009 21:32

Cheers. What the hell is washing salt? And rinse aid?????

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duckyfuzz · 06/12/2009 21:35

check the user guide for most eco cycle
you can use bicarb and distilled vinegar instead of tablets

shallishanti · 09/12/2009 21:19

bicarb and vinegar?
how so?

duckyfuzz · 09/12/2009 21:31

bicarb to clean, vinegar to rinse

MadameMoe · 09/12/2009 21:35

Ecover do dishwasher tablets, if that's of any interest.

ForgetfulNess · 09/12/2009 21:49

If using tablets, cut them into quarters. They do just as good a job, but less chemicals are being used and a box lasts four times as long.

Original poster
mumblecrumble · 09/12/2009 22:02

Cool...

Have got Tescos version of ecoover tablets.... Will use them in half/quaters and use vingar as rinse aid.

My arms are feeling better already and the kitchen is immaculate for the first time in years.

Siiiiigh. Am consoling the part of me who worries about energy use etc that I also stopped washing nappies this wek so it may even out....

Feckin love my dishwasher. It like washes stuff while I sleep!!!!

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Paolosgirl · 09/12/2009 22:07

I heart my dishwasher. Next to anaesthetic, it is the best invention ever. Ever.

I use bicarb if I've run out of tabs and don't bother with vinegar, but live in a soft water area which may explain why it doesn't seem to be needed. I may actually ditch the tabs and use bicarb all the time - it's just as good.

Original poster
mumblecrumble · 09/12/2009 22:10

What about soda crystals?

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snorkie · 09/12/2009 23:56

It's not entirely acurate to say it uses less energy than washing up by hand. That's true if you hand wash up with the hot tap running, but if you have mains gas water heating & wash up normally then probably not. It is quite likely to use less water though.
(See energy saving trust analysis).

But it's not the ungreenest thing in the world by a long shot and it does make life easier.

Furball · 10/12/2009 05:34

I use Tesco's, Sainsburys or lidl value range tabs about £1.70 for 30. and they work just as well and thats on a 30 min wash.

It makes my jaw spring open in surprise when I see the price of say Finishs latest tab at £5+ for 30

Another thing I've heard is that even if you use 3 or 5 in 1 tabs you still need to use salt. - it's near the tabs in the shop in a big bag (again get cheapest). Have a look at the instructions to see where you put it.

I never bother with rinse aid.

I will say - one of the drawbacks of a dishwasher is drawing the short straw to empty the darn thing!

Original poster
mumblecrumble · 10/12/2009 14:15

Oh my. Bloody marvelous!

Did some batch cooking (lots of pork and veg, many meals worth!), made a mince and apple tart for afters and other bits to use he oven.

Popped everything in the dishwasher so the surfaces were all clear for when I served up and then did NOTHING but switch it on afterwards.....

Did 'quick wash' with half a tablet and they all (including roasting dishes etc) came out beauiiful in under an hour!!!!

Yippeee!!!!

Any thoughts about the weird tast the cups seem to have now?

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Paolosgirl · 10/12/2009 14:32

Ahhh...you'll get used that weird taste. It just means the dishes are clean - either that or you are using too much salt

Am intrigued (and vaguely horrified) by your mince and apple tart...

Original poster
mumblecrumble · 10/12/2009 15:01

vaguley horrified??? Ah... you thought I meant like beefy mince?

As in mince pies, raisons etc...

Mince meat in the bottom, layer of apple on the top ith some pastry stars on top.... very delicous...

Too much salt.... can you change that... will hav alok

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Paolosgirl · 10/12/2009 15:03

Ah...mincemeat and apple. Makes sense now!

Have you added salt into the machine already? If so, it could be that you've maybe added a bit too much?

Original poster
mumblecrumble · 10/12/2009 22:04

Have added salt but have now turned the adding salt thing off so am hoping next batch tastes nicer...

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