17 Feb 2025
It’s a tricky point to decide… should you get a dishwasher as a single person?
Is it a sensible purchase?
Will it take up too much room?
What if you never fill it up?
So many questions… so let's break it down, looking at the pros and cons, because who doesn't love a good list?
dishwasher pros when flying solo.
1. saving time.
Washing dishes by hand requires time. Which perhaps you don’t have? Whereas a dishwasher just requires loading and unloading. It’s certainly quicker and easier.
2. less effort.
Dishwashers use super-hot water to blast away the grease and grime. If you have mobility or dexterity issues there’s no more standing at the sink scrubbing last night’s lasagna dish.
3. saves water and energy.
Running a fully loaded dishwasher uses less water and energy than washing up the same amount of dishes by hand at several points during the day. Dishwashers are more efficient because they wash everything at the same time, heat water to a higher temperature, and filter and reuse water.
4. open options.
If you have the space in your kitchen for this appliance it could just be a nice option for those times when you entertain or friends and family stay. It can certainly turn your kitchen into a more grown-up space.
dishwasher cons when living alone.
1. initial outlay.
Buying a dishwasher isn’t cheap. Most decent slimline or table top versions will still cost well over £200. So purchase cost is certainly something to consider if you just don’t think you will be using it regularly.
2. running on empty.
Dishwashers run best when full. You’ll get the most bang for your buck when it comes to water and energy use. But as a solo flyer, it may take a while to collect enough dishes. And running a dishwasher when it’s half empty is not a good use of resources.
3. no clean mugs.
Being footloose and fancy-free means you may not have large collections of glasses, dishes or bowls… and if you’re waiting to fill your machine before it runs, you might find out you run out of clean mugs as they all wait their turn in the dishwasher.
4. one more thing to maintain.
The one thing about appliances is they don’t last forever and you’ll need to maintain it correctly. There’s not much that can go wrong with a bottle of washing up liquid, a washing up bowl and a dishbrush… so ask yourself if the upkeep is worth it.
washing up by hand.
So let’s look at the DIY route… washing up by hand. It has a lot going for it:
- Low set up costs. Just grab your washing up liquid, dishbrush and sponge.
- No waiting. Just need to clean one plate? Done in 10 seconds.
- Some of us like that meditative moment with warm water and bubbles!
But on the downside…
- Hand-washing takes time. Which maybe you don’t have?
- Cost. As mentioned above, a fully loaded dishwasher can use less water and energy.
- Effort. Grease or stuck-on food? Prepare to scrub. A lot.
final verdict.
If you’re happy with the upfront costs, don’t mind waiting for a full load, and have a little space to spare, a dishwasher could be a total game changer. It’ll save you time, energy, and keep your sink free of dirty dishes.
But if the costs feel too high, you don't use many dishes, or you’ve got a compact kitchen space, you might want to keep things simple with a sponge and some washing up liquid.
In the end, it’s all about what fits best with your life and habits.
Happy washing - whichever way you go!