How to Save Money On....Using the Dishwasher

I have put my time in as a dish washer, having lived that role my entire childhood. Now that I have the opportunity to use an automatic dishwasher, I am taking it. It helps me not detest cooking, which leads to a very frugal end result, right?


One month we were without this privilege, due to a necessary part replacement and we found it saved $15.We have a very small dishwasher and are forced to wash larger pans and dishes by hand, but still, to not have to hand wash and use bleach water based rinse, since I am a HUGE germiphobe, is worth it.

The challenge is on to make this as frugal an endeavor as possible. Here we go.

1. Have enough utensils, glassware, plates, pots and pans on hand as possible to make a full load. Since our dishwasher is RV sized, it isn't hard to make a full load.

2. Use the same glass all day. You won't get sick. Trust me. I am a hand-sanitizer junkie. Clean is my game. If you like coffee and/or tea and having a liquor drink at night, invest in some glassware with a handle. It is multi-purpose. Just rinse your glass our after every use and if you are really worried, keep your glass in the fridge. Have plenty of utensils. Build your supply at rummage sales. If you are particular, save the "good" ones for guests in a separate area, just have enough to get you through a large breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack day.

3. Be sure your glassware, utensils and dishes FIT in your dishwasher. We had long stemmed wine glasses, but me and my germiphobe self could not handle it not going through a sanitary dish-washing cycle. It did take a while to find the right glasses, but eventually we found some that are perfect.

4. Who exactly decided on the size of your dishwasher detergent receptacle? Do you just fill the hole without a care? Have you thought about this before? I did an experiment. First, I found the detergent that washed my dishes the cleanest on the shortest cycle. Then, I experimented with the amount of said detergent it would take to clean the dishes. I discovered when I used the best brand, I could actually only fill the receptacle 1/3 the way full in the shortest wash cycle for a perfect clean!

My suggestion is to start with the high end detergent. They won't usually change formulas as often as store brands might and it is better to not get surprised and end up with an almost full container of dishwashing detergent that does nothing for you.

5. When we have a huge group of people over we use paper plates AND foil pans. The time and effort and energy equation does not add up and I HATE having dirty dishes on "stand-by" in my sink.