Alternatives to Automatic Dishwashers

Hand Washing

• The old-fashioned method of filling a pan or sink with warm soapy water and then washing individual dishes by hand is often much faster than waiting for a dishwasher. Once you remove the surface debris from the dishes, you rinse them in cool water and set aside to dry on an absorbent towel or drain rack.

Disposable Dishes

• If you want to avoid hand washing dishes while your dishwasher is broken, you can use disposable dishes made of paper or plastic; you just throw them away when you are done with the meal. This approach may work well when you are pressed for cleanup time or when you are away from home. However, this is not environmentally or economically sound because the dishes are expensive to buy, it takes a lot of energy to produce them, and they take up landfill space.

Hire Help

• If you do not want to run a dishwasher, wash dishes or even use disposable serving ware, you can hire someone to wash your dishes for you. This service is often coupled with other household chores such as cleaning and doing laundry. This is an expensive option, but it might work well for busy professionals or people who are not physically able to wash dishes.

Dinig Out

• Eating out at restaurants or other people’s homes is the most costly alternative to using a dishwasher at home. You pay to have someone else cook your food for you as well as clean the dishes afterward. There is no work involved in the meal or the cleanup, which can make it a good option if your dishwasher is broken or your kitchen is under renovation -- or if you just need a night out.