Washing Dishes in Cold Water? 12 Reasons You Should Stop

While you can wash dishes in cold water and soap to get them relatively clean, especially if you efficiently scrub them, in general it is better to use hot dishwashing water. Among other benefits, hot water can clean and sanitize dishes better than cold water can.

Here are 12 reasons why you need hot water to wash dishes.

Reasons to Use Hot Water When Washing Dishes

1. Hot Water Cuts Grease

   Hot water is better than cold water when cleaning greasy dishes. Cooking oils and fats solidify when they get cold, making them difficult to scrape off dishes. Soaking them in hot water with grease-fighting dish soap is the solution.

2. The Heat Reduces Drying Time

   After removing all the grime, you can rinse dishes in either hot or cold water. Hot water usually dries more quickly than warm or cool water, which means you can skip hand-drying your dishes if you opt for hot water. Moreover, if you need to use or put away your dishes immediately after washing them, hot water is the best option to ensure they are dry.

3. You'll Cut Down on Water Spots

   Because hot water dries faster, you'll be less likely to get water spots and streaks on your dishes and glasses. Hard water is often the culprit behind water spots, as it leaves mineral deposits as it dries. The less time the water is on the dish or glass, the lighter the spot will be.

4. Heat Can Kill Germs

   Hot water can kill bacteria and other microorganisms. But typically, the temperature necessary to kill pathogens, such as dishwashing water, is too hot for our hands to handle. According to the FDA, a temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit is best for washing dishes if your goal is to sanitize them with the heat. Use hot water in the sanitize setting of your dishwasher if your machine has that option.

5. Dish Soap Often Works Better in Hot Water

   Many dish soaps work better in hot water. This is especially true of powdered detergents. The heat helps to dissolve the soap, allowing it to more effectively coat your dishes as you scrub.

6. You'll Use Less Soap

   Because hot water can make dish soap more effective, that means you can use less of it. Instead of having to glob on soap to get a good lather on your dishes, you should only need a few drops. You'll save money on your products while still getting the same level of clean on your dishes.

7. You'll Avoid Cloudy Glasses and Dishes

   Using too much soap in dishwashing water can result in cloudy glasses and dishes. And cold water is more likely to leave behind soap residue than hot water. The heat breaks down the soap, so it rinses away more easily.

8. Hot Water Helps to Prevent Food Stains

   When it comes to washing stained clothes, it’s common knowledge that hot water helps to dissolve the stains. The same principle applies to washing dishes with food stains. The trick is to put the dish in hot water as soon as possible to minimize the amount of soap and scrubbing required.

9. Hot Water Can Lift Sticky Foods

   Like oils and grease, sticky foods such as jelly and honey get harder when they're cold. This can make them adhere better to a dish. But if you use hot dishwashing water to heat them up, they'll become thinner and easier to remove.

10. You'll Be Less Likely to Damage Dishes

    Scrubbing and scraping at stubborn stains and stuck-on food can sometimes damage your dishes. Allow dishes to soak in hot water and let it do the work for you. This reduces the risk of scratching or dropping dishes while you scrub and minimizes the risk of damage.

11. You'll Likely Save Some Water

    Because hot water can effectively blast away grease and food particles—and it can improve the function of your dish soap—you'll probably be finished with your dishes faster. Thus, you'll save some water compared to if you had used cold dishwashing water. The tradeoff, of course, is the energy necessary to heat the water.

12. You Won't Freeze Your Hands

    Yes, scalding water isn't comfortable on the skin. But neither is icy water. Rather than freezing your hands, you can enjoy dishwashing water temperatures similar to the hot water you use in the shower.

Water Temperature for Hand-Washing Dishes

When washing dishes by hand, using water that's technically hot enough to kill bacteria and microbes will actually scald your skin. Therefore, it's not necessary to use uncomfortably hot water as it's not going to be hot enough to sterilize anyway. It's best to use warm water instead to avoid potential risks of injury and make the task more comfortable.

If you're dealing with stubborn stains on your dishes, warm water can still be very effective in removing debris and grease. The warmer the water, the more readily the grime will lift off the surfaces. Additionally, warm water can help your dishes dry faster, which can prevent mineral deposits and water spots from developing.

Tips to Make Your Dishes Cleaner

Here are some tips to get your dishes looking their best:

• Don't let food dry and harden on dishes. Either wash it off right away, or leave it to soak in soap and water.
• Fill your sink or dishpan with your hottest water and a squirt of grease-cutting dish soap. Put the dishes in to soak. When the water cools enough to be tolerable for you, most of the stuck-on food and grease will already have lifted from the dishes.
• Wear two pairs of rubber gloves if you're extra sensitive to water temperature.
• If your water is super hot or doesn't seem to heat up enough, check the temperature on your hot water heater. Adjust it if necessary.
• Dry dishes thoroughly to prevent bacteria.
• When hand-washing dishes, prevent cross-contamination between clean dishes and dirty dishes that have touched raw meats.