The Dirt on Air-Dried Dishes

Hey Mr. Green,

To conserve energy, I've asked my wife to never use the dishwasher to dry the dishes but she thinks that using the "heated dry" cycle protects us against germs and she surreptitiously overrides the air-dried settings.  I argue that like millions of healthy people before us, we always "air-dried" in the dish strainer before owning a dishwasher. Can you help clarify all the benefits to this recommended climate friendly practice?

--Don in Province, New Hampshire

At the risk of echoing my fellow advice columnist Dear Abby, you've got to put a stop to this surreptitious behavior before you end up at a marriage councilor.

The heated dry cycle requires more electricity than air-drying or not drying at all. Heated drying can demand an 25 extra kilowatt hours per year or more, which will result in more than 50 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from a coal-fired plant, along with other pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which is why the EPA and the most respected energy conservation organizations advise us not to use the heat-dry feature. Now 50 pounds may not sound like a lot, but it is cumulative effect of small uses of power like this that contribute a lot to the 22 tons of CO2 that the average U.S. resident generates every year.

Finally, tell her to quit stressing about germs. There is no more danger in not heat-drying than if you put dishes on a rack. Just open the door of the dishwasher and let the air dry things out. We've become way too fearful of germs anyhow, thanks to an army of marketing wizards who have created an exaggerated fear of microorganisms. Moreover, some researchers suspect that a lack of exposure to germs may make kids more susceptible to allergies because insufficient experience coping with invasive substances messes up their immune systems. Even more interesting, some scientists speculate that a bacteria found in soil actually functions as an antidepressant. If the need for such a germ really explains kids' traditional propensity to make mud pies, we could stop medicating them and turn the tykes loose in the biggest, gooiest puddles we can find.

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381862115]

Love this one on all point, Mr G!!

[Linda A.]

Unless you have a large family and use a lot of dishes, don't even USE a dishwasher, wash dishes the old-fashioned way -- by hand. And, if you're concerned about "dishpan hands," use hand cream/lotion.

[Kenna]

I couldn't agree more... on all points!

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There is no more danger in not heat-drying than if you put dishes on a rack. Just open the door of the dishwasher and let the air dry things out.

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Even more interesting, some scientists speculate that a bacteria found in soil actually functions as an antidepressant.

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I prefer 'air drying' I must say. Saves a bit of cash too.

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Unless you have a large family and use a lot of dishes, don't even USE a dishwasher, wash dishes the old-fashioned way -- by hand.
Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Tiffany Marshal]

This dude almost got in a fight with his wife because of the way they should dry dishes? You people have lots of spare time on your hands. Pleae, do something more constructive, instead of fighting for stuff that does not matter.

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i agree with just opening the door to let things dry. that is the best solution to it.

[Lauryn]

Germs? Really? You're breathing the air in all day and any food you eat is in the same air while it's on your plate! I'm nearly 30 years old and never in my life have we used any dry-cycle in the dish washer, much less a heated dry cycle. We just open the dish washer when it's done and let it ACTUALLY air dry. I agree that an "air dry" cycle IN the dishwasher without heat sounds weird, so just don't use it. Problem solved. Your wife needs to chill.