Save time, water and money with these 10 simple washing tips

"The washing machines are not designed for highly caustic dishwashing detergents that can damage seals and hoses over time," he says. "This may also void your consumer warranty or your warranty, as the manufacturer may indicate that you have not followed the instructions."

2. Stop washing your hands

The hundred-year debate about how much water is used between hand washing and the dishwasher has been going on since the day the dishwasher began to dominate the industry. With the modern water efficiency, the experts from CHOICE have confirmed that filling a sink requires around six times more water and almost twice as much household electricity as with a dishwasher.

3. Clean your dishwasher with vinegar

It's easy to be complacent and neglect the dishwasher, but you don't have to be great to know that a dirty machine means dirty dishes. But don't put an arm or a leg on expensive in-store products when the best household cleaner is already in the back of your pantry!

Vinegar is an economical and smart way to avoid soap buildup and allow your dishwasher to survive its 11 year life without complications. Simply pour 1 cup (250 ml) of vinegar into the bottom of the machine or into a container in the upper or lower basket and let the machine run for a full cycle without dishes or detergents. However, read your manual first, as some manufacturers do not recommend this method.

4. Do not rinse out scratches

Experts have found that the proven tradition of washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher has no real impact on the cleaning of the end product. In fact, scraping food is the only thing you should do before stacking the dishwasher to prevent large pieces of food from clogging the system.

5. Increase the heat

If you run out of tablets to wash dishes or detergents and are tired of washing dishes by hand, don't worry, there is another way to get the job done. Instead of preparing an inferior DIY dishwashing liquid that you bought on the internet, simply raise the temperature of your cycle and let the dishes run normally with normal hot water. This way, lightly soiled dishes are cleaned and disinfected, and you do less manual work.

6. Stick to a budget without sacrificing quality.

Not all homes have dishwashers, and for many Australians, hand washing is the only way to get the job done. But should consumers choose the most expensive with so much washing liquid? and I hope it's the best? Of course not!

The CHOICE experts compared 41 dishwashing detergents from supermarkets to find out which ones do the best. Although the top scorer is Morning Fresh's most expensive brand, Tandil Ultra Power Sold ranked second at Aldi at $ 1.23 / 100 ml, less than a third of Morning Fresh's price at just $ 0.35 / 100 ml.

7. Use detergent throughout your home

Surprisingly, dish soap can be used to clean other difficult areas of the house. With warm water, a drop or two of rinse aid and liquid detergent, you can clean the windows until they are clear, or even remove the light stains on the shirts. You can also wash the dishes with soap for makeup or hairbrushes or mix with soda, add a toothbrush and have the cheapest and easiest jewelry cleaner in the world!

8. Use a trash can with wheels to reuse your gray water

If you're aiming for ecological and economic change this year, greywater is a great place to start. Saving water by washing and cleaning clothes in your garden can save hundreds of liters.

Connect a hose to your washing machine and run it outside to put it in a tank or, better, a trash can with wheels. With a constant supply of reused water, you not only save money, but can also maintain a healthy and lush garden with water restrictions.

9. Don't be afraid to put a hot load in the washing machine

As in the dishwasher, don't worry about buying supermarket detergents if the hot water is enough. Those who save energy or protect their delicate clothing by constantly operating cold loads sometimes have to go through a very hot vacuum cycle with a high quality detergent in the dispenser to keep accumulated dirt at bay. You can also soak fabric softener to reduce buildup, as they are usually the main culprit.

10. Keep it bright

Vinegar comes to the rescue again! If you want to keep your colors and white bright, avoid expensive bleaches that harm the environment, and just throw a cup of vinegar at your own expense. The results are instantaneous and far less harmful and environmentally friendly for your bank account than the versions produced.

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