Complete Guide to Eco Friendly Dishwashing
It’s something we do every day, but the act of washing dishes still puzzles many people. It might seem straight forward, but there are many ways you could make dishwashing more eco friendly, whether you have the sleekest modern dishwasher or prefer to do it by hand.
We’ve put together this dishwashing guide to help make sure you’re washing as efficiently as possible, cutting down on water and energy use, and always using the best tools for the job.
Washing up
Washing up by hand can generate a lot of wasted water if it’s not done with care. Always make sure you fill up a bowl with water and washing up liquid rather than leaving the tap running. If you’re washing with hot soapy water, you can rinse with cold water to save energy.
TIP: Use the soft side of your sponge when cleaning glassware as the rough side can create scratches. These might not show at first, but limescale can build up in the imperfections, making glass cloudy or dull over time.
As well as water waste, many of the most popular washing up liquids are causing serious damage to the environment. They often use ingredients derived from petrochemicals and crude oil, that won’t biodegrade when they get washed away, and wreak havoc with the aquatic ecosystem.
We make our washing up liquids with biodegradable ingredients that are safe for aquatic life. The formulas provide serious cleaning power and can tackle grease and dried-on food with ease. They’re long lasting too, so a little goes a long way. You can choose from Orange Blossom & Coconut or Cool Cucumber & Apple. If you have sensitive skin or prefer a milder formula, try our Sensitive washing up liquid, which is fragrance- and colour-free, and certified by Allergy UK.
Using your dishwasher
Modern dishwashers use a lot less water compared with hand-washing, but only if you’re doing it right. Only run the machine when it’s full, don’t rinse before you load and choose the eco setting if you have one. Skipping the dry cycle and leaving the door open for dishes to air dry will also save energy.
Many dishwasher tablets contain phosphates, which get washed into streams, rivers and lakes. They cause algae to reproduce more rapidly than normal, which blocks sunlight and causes an oxygen imbalance, ultimately killing marine life. There’s now a limit on the number of phosphates that can be included in dishwasher tablets, but it’s best to avoid them entirely if possible. Another ingredient to look out for is chlorine, which is toxic to marine life and can release fumes that are harmful to humans.
Another problem with dishwasher tablets is their packaging. While many still come in plastic bags that can’t be recycled, we pack ours in cardboard, much of which is from recycled sources. Each tablet is wrapped in a plant-based soluble coating, meaning there’s no need to unwrap and saving unnecessary plastic waste.
We’ve got three different types of dishwasher tablet, each offering a different type of cleaning power. They all have a lot in common though, as they contain biodegradable ingredients and are palm oil free, vegan and cruelty free. Because the formulas are all-in-one, they contain rinse aid to help keep dishes sparkling.
Classic All-in-One
Our Classic All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets are a great all-rounder, perfect all types of dishware and regular cleaning. They’re approved by Allergy UK and available in packs of 25 or 72.
Ultra All-in-One
Our Ultra All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets provide extra cleaning power for tougher dried on food, grease and fatty residues. Just like the Classic option, the Ultra tablets are approved by Allergy UK and available in packs of 25 or 72.
Brilliance All-in-One
Our Brilliance All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets contain a higher concentration of rinse aid, so they’re great for leaving glassware free of streaks and providing extra shine. Available in packs of 25 or 65.
Rinse aid
You might keep your rinse aid dispenser topped up, but do you know what it’s for? Well, for starters, it has more to do with the way your dishes dry than how they clean. It contains specially-formulated ingredients to stop water droplets forming, which helps them dry more quickly. It is also water repellent, so it stops spots being left behind by minerals in the water when it evaporates.
Our Rinse Aid formula uses natural ingredients to make sure water marks, smears and streaks don’t dull your dishware. It’s a long-lasting formula and is approved by Allergy UK.
Keeping your dishwasher clean
Malfunctions caused by dirt and limescale build-up are a common problem for dishwashers, and often cause them to stop working effectively. Keeping your machine clean is essential, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend hours scrubbing it between cycles.
Our Washing Machine & Dishwasher Cleaner tablets make maintaining your appliances effortless. Just put one tablet in the machine each month and run it without any dishes inside. It’ll help clean and descale the machine and all the connecting pipework too. They’re available in fragrance-free, mint and eucalyptus scents.
If your dishwasher hasn’t had a clean for some time, try our Machine Cleaner. It’s a full-service deep cleaning solution that will power through the toughest limescale and detergent build up, while eliminating bacteria and odours. Use it as a one-off treatment to ensure maximum appliance performance.
Softening water
Soft water is essential for making sure your dishwasher does a good job. Not only does it clean more effectively than hard water, but it also limits limescale build up in your machine. If you need a little extra help in this area, try our Magnoball. It’s a reusable water softening solution that helps show the effects of limescale removal in the wash process after around five washes. It’s a simple design that features two magnets encased in a silicone sphere, which sits in your appliances during washing.
