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Modern dishwashers outperform handwashing in sanitization. They are much more effective at killing germs. Erik Tham/Getty ImagesJosephine Cochrane deserves a statue. Without this remarkable woman from the Victorian Era, we would still be stuck washing dishes by hand. Not only would this be a tiresome chore, but it would also be much less hygienic. Dishwashers do a much better job at eliminating germs compared to handwashing. More on that soon, but first, let’s talk about this kitchen innovator.
Cochrane led a life of comfort and enjoyed hosting gatherings for her friends. Over time, the household staff had caused damage to her family’s precious 17th-century china. Frustrated, Cochrane decided to wash the dishes herself, a task she loathed. She wondered why no one had yet created a machine to simplify this job. In 1886, she took matters into her own hands and built the first functional dishwasher, improving upon a design from 1850 by a man named Joel Houghton.
Houghton's invention was a hand-cranked device that merely splashed water on the dishes. Cochrane's version was far more advanced. It included a motor that powered a wheel, which pumped hot soapy water from a boiler over the dishes. Although Cochrane’s dishwasher initially took time to gain popularity, it eventually became a beloved household essential.
What Cochrane didn’t realize was that handwashing dishes was actually less hygienic than using a dishwasher. Modern dishwashers employ scalding hot water, advanced spray nozzles, and other features to sanitize dishes and eliminate germs and bacteria. Handwashing falls short in comparison, since, as The Washington Post notes, our hands can’t tolerate the '140 or 145 degrees Fahrenheit [60 to 62 degrees Celsius] that many dishwashers use to get dishes truly clean.'
Additionally, the sponge used for handwashing dishes harbors some of the most unpleasant and disgusting bacteria in your kitchen. Research has shown that household sponges can contain nearly 400 different species of bacteria, with an astonishing density of about 45 billion per square centimeter. Yuck!
Experts argue that using a dishwasher is not only healthier but also saves time, money, water, and energy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, new ENERGY STAR dishwashers use significantly less water and energy — about 5,000 gallons annually — compared to handwashing.
Now you understand why Josephine Cochrane deserves a monument in her honor. Romania, in 2013, wisely commemorated her by featuring her on one of its stamps.
In 2015, Swedish researchers discovered that children living in homes where dishes were washed by hand had a lower risk of developing allergies compared to those in households with a dishwasher. The researchers suggested that handwashing exposed the children to more microbes, which in turn helped strengthen their immune systems.
