Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Do I really need a dishwasher?

26 replies

triangularchocolate · 15/09/2016 10:18

I've lived in many rental properties over the years with dishwashers, though I never once used one and I always thought they seemed as much faff as washing up. Fast forward to now, living in long term home with DP and DS and getting fed up of constant washing up (DP does the cooking and I do the washing up before anyone suggests we should share it). Our kitchen is pokey but I think I could fit a dishwasher in if I move the washing machine under the stairs. This would be a bit of a hassle and cost a few £ with building and plumbing work required. Would it be worth it?

OP posts:
BrillianaHarvey · 15/09/2016 10:19

Yes.

Artandco · 15/09/2016 10:21

Yes

You can buy dishwasher drawers now also. You could get one and it fits under the sink rather than having to move stuff. Or can buy two and stack to same size as normal dishwasher ( what we have done). But one drawer is still a good size, and can turn on morning and evening if needed as fills quicker

Tiredandtested · 15/09/2016 10:22

Yes, IMO once you've used one you'll wonder how you managed before.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 15/09/2016 10:22

I wouldn't be without mine, not so much for the fact it washes up but more for the fact it means the kitchen is tidy in 5 mins flat after a meal. You can shove it all away , the place is tidy even if you don't put it on immediately.

Optimist1 · 15/09/2016 10:27

I'm with Dame on this one - the tidiness of the kitchen is even better than the superclean dishes and the lack of effort.

MotherOfGlob · 15/09/2016 10:33

Yes, we have a slimline one. Agree with the kitchen tidiness aspect.

Original poster
triangularchocolate · 15/09/2016 11:41

I think I'm convinced and will investigate the drawer option.

OP posts:
NorthernOwl · 15/09/2016 14:29

I've never had a dishwasher and we manage just fine. It is a pain to have to wash the dishes every night, but I've always preferred it to a dishwasher because I don't like how squeaky mugs and plates seem to become when they go through a dishwasher. They just have a weird feeling that I really dislike.

I can see why they're great from a convenience aspect though! Just not for me.

WanderingTrolley1 · 15/09/2016 14:35

Yes.

They are life-changing. As is a tumble dryer!

BagelGoesWalking · 15/09/2016 14:42

Yes!! No question at all. If it was a choice between that and a washing machine, I'd rather drag washing to a launderette than have to wash every night!

If you can, go for it Grin

Rafflesway · 15/09/2016 15:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhNoNotMyBaby · 15/09/2016 15:55

Just had 3 weeks without one (couldn't be bothered to get it fixed). However, now that it has been fixed I have to say I do appreciate it more. The main benefit is that dishes are not left all over the kitchen - either dirty or drying in the rack. So my kitchen looks better and tidier and smells less!

ChipmunkSundays · 15/09/2016 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

iwishiwish · 16/09/2016 04:37

I live on my own (mostly) and I have a TINY kitchen, but I still squeezed a slimline one in. I wouldn't be without it, as pp said, somewhere to put the dirty crocks out of sight :)

ICJump · 16/09/2016 04:55

Get one.

The kitchen goes from messy to clean in 5 minutes with a dishwasher.

BellaOfTheBalls · 16/09/2016 05:00

I lived in university flat with a dishwasher that we loaded probably once a week and only if we'd cooked something that used more than one pan. I always said I didn't need one and didn't see the point.

My kitchen is 8ftx6ft. My DM bought me a slimline dishwasher that took up no space at all but has made such a difference. Load dishwasher, wipe surfaces, hey presto; kitchen clean. I honestly wonder how I ever coped without it.

Also, get a Bosch. They're really easy to use and go on for years.

barefootbird · 16/09/2016 12:59

Always worth it in my opinion, I have gone to ridiculous lengths in the past to get one plumbed in and never regretted it. I do think it's worth getting a decent one though, there is nothing more disappointing than one that doesn't clean properly.

Scotinoz · 16/09/2016 13:01

Good lord yes! A dishwasher is an essential! Just moved into rental and for the first time in about 20 years, I have no dishwasher and I'm not actually sure how to manage!

notarehearsal · 17/09/2016 17:07

Managed without one while catering for many teens ( some mine, some not but none great at washing up and all living here) for many years. Always believed I couldn't fit one in the kitchen and what did I want one for anyway. I used to spend about an hour a day washing up! And then I had a kitchen jiggle and bought one on a whim, the cheapest I could find as I couldn't imagine I'd actually use it much. Oh God, it's actually the best thing I've ever ever had, even better than my washing machine and I'd never ever be without one now. ( Tip: I've even washed baseball caps in it!)

e1y1 · 17/09/2016 23:46

Is this a serious question? Grin

Yes, you absolutely do need a dishwasher. You will wonder how you ever managed without one.

As PP said, if I had to make a choice, I would give up the washing machine before the dishwasher.

Still hate unloading it though - just no pleasing some people.

nwbmum · 17/09/2016 23:52

Definitely worth it.
Also hate unloading it, if only they could invent a machine for that

HopefulHamster · 17/09/2016 23:53

I'm 36, lived in rental properties for most of my adult life and got my first dishwasher three weeks ago,

It has changed my life. I have more time to tidy the rest of the house (was forever washing up while persuading kids to play nicely) and my eczema on my hands has disappeared.

We thought we had no space, but a kind plumber said there was room for a slimline one under one half of our sink. Amazing.

celeste83 · 18/09/2016 00:22

I've always thought dishwashers are one of the most wasteful things in life. They drink so much water and energy. Do the dishes by hand as you and it takes minutes.

BackforGood · 18/09/2016 00:23

Yes.
dishwasher and tumble drier would both be chosen over an oven in any house I own, if I had to sacrifice one.

TwoLittleBlooms · 18/09/2016 02:00

Yes, if you can get one really, really do! I haven't had one for 7 years now and miss it so much - I hate washing up, it takes so much time out of my day. When we move to the next house I will be getting a dishwasher (husband reckons not but he is so wrong!), this is rented so can't knock cupboards out to make space - otherwise we would already have one.