Super Eco

Photo credit: Okko Pyykko, flickr

Yeah, dishwashers are probably a greener way to get your dishes clean. Thing is, the comparisons and studies that came up with that conclusion were based on how most people wash their dishes: wastefully. You can handwash on a gallon or less if you steer clear of these common mistakes.

1. You wash every time you have dirty dishes. We've heard advice that it's easier to clean dishes when they're not dried-on and caked up, but you'll use more water if you have to make more soaking and rinsing batches throughout the day.
2. Your faucet doesn't have a low-flow aerator. Some low-flow units have convenient toggles that reduce water flow to a trickle for when you're busy scrubbing.
3. You run the water while you're scrubbing or rinsing. That's water down the drain—literally.
4. You don't soak before/while you scrub. Don't let dishes get all dry and crusty on the counter; let a dishpan or sink full of hot, sudsy water do most of the work for you.
5. You rinse under running water. Use another dishpan or one side of the sink full of clean water.
6. You skip the vinegar. Vinegar cleans, disinfects and prevents spots on glassware. Add 1/2 cup to your rinse water.