Written by Andrea Reviewed by Daniel

5 Dishwasher Mistakes That Are Costing You Money Every Month

Your dishwasher should be saving you time and money, but if you’re making these common mistakes, it could be doing the exact opposite.

For budget savvy homeowners keeping a close eye on those utility bills, these errors can add up to real waste every year. The good news? They’re incredibly easy to fix once you know what you’re doing wrong.

Let’s get into the five biggest dishwasher mistakes that are quietly draining your wallet each month and more importantly, how to stop them!

Table of Contents

Mistake 1: Pre Rinsing Your Dishes Too Much

Here’s something that might surprise you: scrubbing your plates clean before loading them into the dishwasher is actually costing you money.

Most modern dishwashers are designed to work with dirty dishes, not pre cleaned ones. When you rinse everything beforehand, you’re essentially washing your dishes twice, which means you’re wasting water and energy.

Why Pre Rinsing Costs You Money

Think about it. Every time you stand at the sink rinsing plates, you’re using hot water that’s already been heated by your boiler. That’s money literally going down the drain!

The average person spends about 5 to 10 minutes pre rinsing dishes before loading the dishwasher. Over a month, all that extra water and energy adds up on your bills.

Modern dishwashers have sensors that detect how dirty your dishes are and adjust the cycle accordingly. When you pre rinse everything, these sensors think your dishes are cleaner than they actually are, which can result in a less effective wash. This means you might end up running the cycle again, doubling your energy costs!

What To Do Instead

Simply scrape off any large food particles into the bin. That’s it! Your dishwasher’s job is to clean your dishes, so let it do what it was designed to do.

For really stubborn, dried on food, a quick soak in cold water is fine, but there’s no need for hot water or scrubbing.

Mistake 2: Using The Wrong Detergent Amount

You know that measuring line on your detergent dispenser? It’s there for a reason! Yet so many people either use way too much detergent (thinking more equals cleaner) or too little (trying to save money). Both approaches end up costing you.

The Cost Of Using Too Much Detergent

When you use excessive detergent, it doesn’t rinse away properly. This leaves a filmy residue on your dishes, which means you’ll need to rewash them. Plus, all that extra detergent builds up inside your dishwasher, clogging the spray arms and filters. This forces your machine to work harder, using more energy and water and can lead to expensive repairs down the line.

Using too much detergent can also cause your dishwasher to create excess suds. These suds can leak out onto your kitchen floor or, worse, damage the electronic components of your machine. Repair calls aren’t cheap, especially when you factor in parts!

The Problem With Using Too Little

On the flip side, using too little detergent means your dishes won’t come out properly clean. You’ll end up rewashing them by hand or running another cycle, which defeats the entire purpose of having a dishwasher and doubles your costs.

Finding The Sweet Spot

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific detergent. Most modern detergents are highly concentrated, so you need less than you think. If you have soft water, you can use even less.

For those with hard water areas, you might need to use the full amount plus a rinse aid to prevent limescale buildup.

A handy tip: if your glasses are coming out cloudy or you’re noticing white residue on your dishes, you’re probably using too much detergent. If food particles are still stuck on after a wash, you’re using too little.

Mistake 3: Running Half Empty Loads

This is a huge money waster that many busy households are guilty of. Running your dishwasher when it’s only half full means you’re using the same amount of water and energy to clean fewer dishes. It’s simple maths: you’re paying full price for half the work!

How Much This Costs You

Every cycle uses a set amount of water and electricity, whether you’re washing five plates or fifty. If you’re running it half full twice as often, you’re essentially doubling your costs for no good reason.

Breaking The Half Empty Habit

Wait until your dishwasher is completely full before running it. I know it’s tempting to run a quick cycle when you need a particular mug or plate, but resist the urge!

Keep a few extra everyday items on hand so you’re not frantically washing single items.

If you absolutely must run a partial load, most modern dishwashers have a half load setting that uses less water and energy. Check your manual to see if yours has this option.

For smaller households, consider running your dishwasher every other day rather than daily. You can rinse particularly smelly items (like fish plates) with cold water and leave them in the dishwasher until you’re ready to run a full load.

Mistake 4: Ignoring The Filter

When was the last time you cleaned your dishwasher filter? If you’re scratching your head trying to remember, you’re not alone. Most people don’t even know their dishwasher has a filter, let alone that it needs regular cleaning!

A dirty filter is one of the biggest hidden costs of dishwasher ownership. It reduces your machine’s efficiency, makes it work harder and can lead to breakdowns that cost hundreds of pounds to repair.

How A Dirty Filter Costs You Money

Think of your dishwasher filter like the lint trap in your tumble dryer. When it’s clogged, your machine has to work much harder to do its job. A blocked filter restricts water flow, which means your dishwasher uses more energy to try and compensate. This increases your energy consumption with every wash cycle.

Even worse, a clogged filter can cause water to back up in your dishwasher. This leads to poor cleaning performance, meaning you’ll need to rewash dishes or wash them by hand. It can also cause standing water in the bottom of your machine, which creates unpleasant odours and can lead to mould growth.

The Simple Solution

Cleaning your dishwasher filter takes about 5 minutes and should be done at least once a month. Here’s how:

Remove the bottom rack and locate the filter at the base of the dishwasher. It usually twists out or lifts up. Rinse it under hot running water and use a soft brush or old toothbrush to remove any stuck on food particles. Pop it back in place, and you’re done!

If your filter is particularly grimy, soak it in warm soapy water for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Some people like to add a splash of white vinegar to help break down any grease or limescale.

By keeping your filter clean, your dishwasher will run more efficiently, use less energy, and last longer. It’s one of the easiest ways to save money on your monthly bills!

Mistake 5: Running It At The Wrong Time Of Day

This one surprises a lot of people, but when you run your dishwasher can significantly impact your energy bills. If you’re on an Economy 7 or a similar time of use tariff, running your dishwasher during peak hours is costing you unnecessary money.

Understanding Peak vs Off Peak Rates

Many energy suppliers charge different rates depending on the time of day. Peak hours (usually 7am to 11pm) cost significantly more than off peak hours (typically 11pm to 7am).

If you’re running your dishwasher during peak times and you’re on a time of use tariff, you’re spending more per cycle than you need to.

Making The Switch To Off Peak Running

Most modern dishwashers have a delay start function. Simply load your dishwasher after dinner, set the delay timer, and let it run overnight during cheaper rate hours. You’ll wake up to clean dishes and lower energy costs.

If you’re worried about noise, modern dishwashers are remarkably quiet, especially on eco modes. Most run at around 45 to 50 decibels, which is quieter than a normal conversation. If your bedroom is far from the kitchen, you probably won’t even hear it.

Not sure if you’re on a time of use tariff? Check your energy bill or contact your supplier. Even if you’re not currently on one, it might be worth switching if you can shift your energy use to off peak hours.

Bonus Tip: Stop Using Heated Dry

Here’s one more quick tip that can save you money: turn off the heated dry function on your dishwasher. This setting uses a significant amount of energy to heat up and dry your dishes at the end of the cycle.

Instead, simply open the dishwasher door slightly when the cycle finishes and let your dishes air dry. This cuts down on the energy used per cycle considerably!

Most modern dishwashers have an air dry or eco dry setting that does this automatically, using residual heat from the wash cycle rather than additional heating elements.

Keep More Money In Your Pocket

These five mistakes might seem small on their own, but together they can add up to real waste every year. The best part? They’re all incredibly easy to fix!

By making these simple changes, you’ll not only lower your utility bills but also extend the life of your dishwasher and get better cleaning results. Your dishes will be sparkling, your machine will run more efficiently and your bank account will thank you.

Start with the easiest fix for you, whether that’s cleaning the filter or adjusting when you run your cycles, then gradually tackle the others. Before you know it, these money saving habits will become second nature!

If you found these tips helpful, share them with your friends on Facebook or WhatsApp. Everyone deserves to keep more money in their pocket!

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