Run Full Loads

Affordability

Running your dishwasher or washing machine only when fully loaded will save water and energy.

Cost savings

Doing full loads of dishes or laundry reduces the number of loads, which saves water, energy, detergent, time and money.

Health & comfort

Using your dishwasher and laundry appliances less frequently saves you time, decreases the noise from running these appliances, leaves more hot water for other uses, and means you can time it to run them only in non peak energy periods. You might need to buy yourself a few more pairs of socks and underwear to last between laundry loads, and if you often run out of dishware before the dishwasher is full, visit your local thrift store to stock up on a few extras (or consider a smaller dishwasher unit).

Environmental considerations

Using your dishwasher and laundry appliances less frequently not only saves energy, time and money but also saves precious fresh water resources.

What you need to know

Dishwasher

• Load dishes according to manufacturer’s instructions, and allow proper water circulation for adequate cleaning.
• Scrape dishes instead of rinsing before loading.
• The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it’s half-full or completely full. Storing dirty dishes in the dishwasher during the day and running it once in the evening will use less water and energy than washing small batches by hand throughout the day.
• Use energy-saving wash cycles. Most dishwashers have various wash cycles you can select. The energy-saving feature helps you use less water and save energy.
• ENERGY STAR dishwashers use less water as well as at least 9% less energy.

Washing machine

• Load the clothes washer to capacity when possible. Most people tend to under-load their washing machines. One large load of laundry will use less energy than two small or medium loads.
• ENERGY STAR washing machines use less water and less energy than non ENERGY STAR models.

FAQ

What can I do if my dishes don’t come clean when I don’t rinse them?
Most newer model dishwashers will clean dishes that have sat for one day. If yours isn’t cleaning them, you can wipe them with a damp cloth or scrub brush before you load them, or rinse them quickly using cold water.

What if I don’t have enough clothes for a full load?
If you must wash clothes with a less than full load, adjust the water level setting accordingly.

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