Holding off buying new stuff because you don't want the old stuff in the landfill?

[gulliver]

I have a dishwasher that doesn't get the top rack glassware as clean as it used to. It is also a lot noisier than it was. The last time I had it repaired, the guy who repaired it told me it was on its last legs. I can afford a new dishwasher, but one of the things holding me back is that I don't want the old one just dumped in a landfill. I would feel bad about it.

I'm wondering if a lot of people feel that way. Would there be more demand for products if people knew those products would be reclaimed and recycled? If so, there would be more jobs, because people would replace things more frequently, and there would be jobs in the reclamation process itself. The term "throw away society" could become a good thing.

[Obamanaut]

1. Washing and rinsing dishes by hand still works. nt

[chillspike]

16. +1

[K8-EEE]

19. NO WAY!! Plus, I live in L.A., it uses to much water

I scrape mine off NO RINSING ALLOWED and run the dishwasher when it's full, and with half a lemon in it. Saves work AND WATER!

[K8-EEE]

21. You can make something else out of it.

Like take the latches off and use it for storage in the garage or something. I have old boxsprings nailed to my fence to use as a trellis. They look really pretty!

[xmas74]

25. Go back to using dishpans.

One for the soap and one for rinse. Use the leftover water to water houseplants or outdoor plants. Uses less water and recycles what is used.

[K8-EEE]

36. No it doesn't! Rinsing uses way more water

And there are 5 of us with different schedules -- the water would be running all day and/or there would be dirty dishes in the sink constantly! I have a super energy & water efficient German dishwasher and it's my favorite thing ever.

[xmas74]

37. With a dishpan

and recycled water it wouldn't use more, since the water is then used for watering plants. Housewives of the past used to water their flowers and houseplants with the dishwater (as long as it wasn't greasy). People who fill up sinks, large dishpans or run water for rinsing use more water, compared to two small dishpans about half full.

There was a time where I lived in a rundown place with an awful landlord. The pipes burst and instead of fixing them he chose to shut off all access to the water. For two months I had to fill up five gallon buckets with water for my cleaning, cooking, and personal hygiene. (It took two months to save for a deposit for a new place.) Two small dishpans half full took less than a gallon of water each. I only washed dishes once a day, to save water.

It really depends on the person and how they do it. If a person is really aware of how much they use then yes, it could be done cheaper. Few are that careful, unless they are in a situation like the one above.

[K8-EEE]

38. Actually I have watering cans in every sink in the house

And my clothes washer was re-routed into a rain barrel for the garden. I have 5 gallon buckets for runoff in every shower. I have no sprinklers and no lawn. I totally hear ya on the household gray water but I'M NEVER giving up my beloved Boesch Dishwasher! LOL they will have to pry it from my cold dead un-dishpanned hands.

[xmas74]

43. Now that's different.

You've made your mark and are happy with where you are at. It's more of a mark than many will ever make. And your dishwasher is more efficient, which helps quite a bit.

Some call me cheap, some the kinder "frugal". I'm just a bit on the poor side and I like to find ways to recycle everything I can. Few things go to waste, including my dishwater! Besides, for me dishwashing is a bit relaxing at the end of the day. I scrape plates (compost what can be composted), I wash and scrub, I submerge into rinse, I place in strainer to drip dry, and then hand dry everything after. It's a way for me to zone out, to contemplate my day. Dishwashing for me is what vacuuming is for a friend-our tiny stress free zone.

[K8-EEE]

49. Well of course I still use the sink!

There's nothing wrong with frugal and in my climate i think it's a sin to not reuse water in this climate! For rinsing out wineglasses and food prep and hand washing we get TONS of water for flowers and veggies! And a lower water bill is fun too.

[xmas74]

50. The lower water bill is nice too.

I enjoy finding ways to reuse and recycle products so that adds in.

I think the top reason really is that I enjoy washing the dishes. So often I accomplish little in my day to day. At least I can see a sink full of dirty dishes, a strainer full of clean dishes, and finally dishes dried and shined and neatly put away (along with a spotless countertop) and feel as though I've accomplished one thing that day. Strange but we all need something.

[kestrel91316]

58. I live in LA, too. I can manage to wash a whole lot of dishes by hand using

only about 2 gallons. Leaving food crusted on plates to dry for a week while waiting for the dishwasher to fill (I am single) would be a major FAIL for me.

[Skittles]

41. THANK YOU

I NEVER used a dishwasher

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Every day.

[sethgrogen]

3. i can't afford jack!

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. Or shit either.

:evilgrin:

[Creideiki]

32. Careful--admit that and the Party hierarchy will decide that nothing you care about is

important.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Old appliances can be recycled.

Most large cities have businesses or organizations that will take your used appliances and recycle whatever parts can be recycled. Where I live they will even pick them up.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. I have two loveseats I haven't used for a decade. I'm donating them to flood victims

in New Jersey so a family won't have to sit on the floor when their house is cleared for them to return.

[marybourg]

6. Try "Lemi-Shine" for your glassware. Dishwasher detergent

formula was changed recently

[gulliver]

7. I'll try it.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[K8-EEE]

22. Half a lemon on the prongs in the top section

Works great and then the dishwasher smells great too!

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Why we finally replaced the coffee maker with a melita

Tired of the cheap crap.

When the dishwasher fails, hand

The clothes washer failed, we are using a quarter machine.

[Oceansaway]

10. perhaps Habitat For Humanity

can use it ?

[drmeow]

27. Habitat for Humanity won't take

used stuff - I tried to give them a hot water heater that was still under warranty (a few months old, we'd replace electric with gas) and they would not take it. There is a local construction recycling place that took it.

[LeftyMom]

53. Must depend on where you live. They do here- they operate a resale shop

and sell donations they can't use to pay for things they do need.

[Raine]

29. They will take certain things that are WORKING, they're

particular about what they take.

[pansypoo53219]

11. sears takes your old stuff to recycle.

i reuse/recycle to the max. and get PAID. love estate sales for me + ebay. and i will take things to donate/recycle. one place has fill a bag for $5 at the end and i try to take metal stuff. people take clothes and cleaning supplies to be donated.

[kestrel91316]

12. I consider automatic dishwashers only slightly less offensive than electric can openers.

So you probably don't want my comments, lol.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

40. Tap water doesn't get hot enough to kill the germs. You know that don't you?

If it's hot enough to burn you, it is NOT hot enough to kill the germs.

That is why dishwashers are better.


http://www.masterplumbers.com/plumbviews/2001/hotwater_temp.asp

What should be the ideal temperature setting for a water heater?
Depends on the local codes and the applications.

How hot should the water be coming out of the kitchen faucet in the sink 25' to 30' from the hot water heater?

Depending on local code but normally a min of 100°F (38°C).

In Nursing homes or where children are concerned 105°F (40.5°C) maximum is the preferred temperature.

Also how hot should the water be coming out of the faucet in the laboratory 2' from hot water heater?

Answer. When in doubt install a Pressure balance/temperature faucet to prevent accidental burns.

For example a lot of installations send the same temperature to the dishwasher/washing machines as to the rest of the home.


A residential dishwasher needs 140-160°F (60-70°C) degrees for proper cleaning. Germs love anything less then 140°F (60°C).

When doing a combination occupancy like a commercial establishment with residential apartments using the same domestic H/W supply I use a commercial heater giving an out put of 180°F (82°C) water.


Your tap water is not nearly hot enough to sterilize your dishes.

[kestrel91316]

44. You need not lecture a veterinarian with a BS in microbiology and a special

interest in foodborne diseases on how to wash dishes, lol.

For the record, there is absolutely no need whatsoever to STERILIZE one's food prep and eating dishes and utensils in a private home. Germs need to be WASHED AWAY (mechanically removed) and left with nowhere to hide (under residual bits of dried food). If you do so, the few bad things that remain will quickly die of their own accord when the air dries them (I always let my dishes air dry, BTW, rather than wiping them).

That is all. If you doubt me, go read up on household food safety at CDC's website. And no, I am not in the mood to find you the relevant links.

[BoWanZi]

42. Why in the world would someone consider a dishwasher offensive? That is just really weird

If you have one and it doesn't work, and you don't want a new one or to fix the old one, just do your dishes by hand.

You make it sound like its a bad thing to have a convenience.
:eyes:

[kestrel91316]

45. I just never bother to use them. I, unlike most Americans, am not allergic to

a little manual work. I take pleasure in personally cleaning up after myself in the kitchen.

The amount of resources and energy that goes into manufacturing, shipping, installing, and using the damned things disturbs me when we already are capable of doing the dishes with just a sink. Silly energy hogs, IMHO.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

46. So go live in the dark ages of germ theory. Doesn't bother me any.

I have a B.S. in biology from the best pre-medical school in the state, thank you.

[kestrel91316]

52. Ahem, read my posts in this thread. I have a BS IN MICROBIOLOGY and a

Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, with a personal and professional interest in foodborne and zoonotic diseases. I'm definitely pulling rank here.

Aside from DU, one of my favorite hangouts is the CDCs website, and also the USDA's. NOWHERE will you find a blanket recommendation to sterilize food preparation and serving dishes and utensils in private homes, in all the safe food handling recommendations of these ultimate authorities. The trick to home food safety when washing dishes is to MECHANICALLY REMOVE GERMS AND FOOD DEBRIS THAT CAN HARBOR/PROTECT THEM.

The very concept of "sterilizing" dishes in the kitchen is bogus - the very second you take them out of the dishwasher you contaminate them, and a dishwasher isn't an autoclave. The term "sterilize" has a very strict scientific meaning, and people with a tiny bit of knowledge about pathogens toss it about like they actually know what it means. Sadly, they don't.

Again, don't presume to lecture me about pathogenic bacteria. I have learned and forgotten more about the subject, and have more professional experience with it to boot, than you could begin to comprehend with your silly single class in basic microbiology (if you even took that much).

[Manifestor_of_Light]

51. You think it's not work to get the food off and load the dishwasher?

I want my dishes CLEAN. I want them STERILE.

I'm never eating at your house.

So ignore the facts I posted about 180 degree water killing germs. I posted FACTS about hot water.

And you call yourself a scientist?

:wtf:

[kestrel91316]

54. You are deluding yourself. Your dishes cease to be sterile the second you

take them out of the dishwasher and revert instantly to merely clean.

What enquiring minds really want to know is: what the heck is it you are eating or doing in your kitchen that is contaminating your dishes so badly and with such dangerous stuff that you need to "sterilize" them???????? You got EBOLA in that kitchen??

Why am I not dead after decades of merely washing my dishes by hand, BTW, if it's so dangerous??? There is SO much more to food safety than water temperature and automatic dishwashers. Why do you think so very many Americans WITH DISHWASHERS get foodborne diseases?

Perhaps you are confusing private homes with commercial food establishments, which have a legal duty to comply with safety regulations as a matter of public health.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

56. I'd rather make sure my food and dishes are really clean.

I'm not serving the public but I want my dishes and food to be clean.

I've gotten foodborne diseases from other peoples' cooking who didn't keep hot things hot and cold things cold, or they didn't clean their kitchen counters thoroughly. I'm not sure.

I have never given anyone food poisoning from my cooking.

[kestrel91316]

57. Note how USDA says NOTHING about having to "sterilize" dishes in dishwashers:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Cleanliness_Helps_Prevent_Foodborne_Illness/index.asp


Cleanliness Helps Prevent Foodborne Illness

Spring has long been the time of year for annual cleaning projects around our homes. However, when it comes to safe food handling, everything that comes in contact with food must be kept CLEAN all year long.

Food that is mishandled can lead to foodborne illness. While the United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world, preventing foodborne illness remains a major public health challenge. USDA developed the Be Food Safe campaign in cooperation with the Partnership for Food Safety Education, FDA, and CDC because research shows that Americans are aware of food safety, but they need more information to achieve and maintain safe food handling behaviors. Be Food Safe means preventing foodborne illness through four easy steps: CLEAN, Separate, Cook and Chill.
CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often.
Separate: Don't cross-contaminate.
Cook: Cook to proper temperatures.
Chill: Refrigerate promptly.

CLEANLINESS is a major factor in preventing foodborne illness. Even with food safety inspection and monitoring at Federal, State, and local government facilities, the consumer’s role is to make sure food is handled safely after it is purchased. Everything that touches food should be CLEAN. Listed below are steps we can take to help prevent foodborne illness by safely handling food in the home:
Wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds:
before and after handling food
after using the bathroom
after changing a diaper
after handling pets
after tending to a sick person
after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
after handling uncooked eggs or raw meat, poultry, or fish and their juices.

If your hands have any kind of skin abrasion or infection, always use CLEAN disposable gloves. Wash hands (gloved or not) with warm, soapy water.

Thoroughly wash with hot, soapy water all surfaces that come in contact with raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs before moving on to the next step in food preparation. Consider using paper towels to CLEAN kitchen surfaces. If you use dishcloths, wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine. Keep other surfaces, such as faucets and counter tops, CLEAN by washing with hot, soapy water.

To keep cutting boards CLEAN, wash them in hot, soapy water after each use; then rinse and air or pat dry with CLEAN paper towels. Cutting boards can be sanitized with a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Flood the surface with the bleach solution and allow it to stand for several minutes; then rinse and air or pat dry with CLEAN paper towels.

Non-porous acrylic, plastic, glass, and solid wood boards can be washed in a dishwasher (laminated boards may crack and split). Even plastic boards wear out over time. Once cutting boards become excessively worn or develop hard-to-clean grooves, replace them.

Don't use the same platter and utensils that held the raw product to serve the cooked product. Any bacteria present in the raw meat or juices can contaminate the safely cooked product. Serve cooked products on CLEAN plates, using CLEAN utensils and CLEAN hands.

When using a food thermometer, it is important to wash the probe after each use with hot, soapy water before reinserting it into a food.

Keep pets, household cleaners, and other chemicals away from food and surfaces used for food.

When picnicking or cooking outdoors, take plenty of CLEAN utensils. Pack CLEAN, dry, and wet and soapy cloths for cleaning surfaces and hands.

Because bacteria are everywhere, CLEANLINESS is a major factor in preventing foodborne illness. By keeping everything CLEAN that comes in contact with food, consumers can be assured they are helping to do their part to Be Food Safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My sister became a germ-phobe after taking a single mandatory microbiology class to get her pharmacy degree. OTOH, you will find that microbiologists have a much more pragmatic approach to germs.

I've never mad myself or any guests ill, either. I HAVE gotten quite ill from eating at restaurants that have functioning dishwashers.

ETA: Please not the extensive and exclusive use of the term "clean" as opposed to "sterile". This is not an error. Words have meanings, and clean in no way equals sterile when microbiology is involved.

[Historic NY]

13. I just spent $56 to buy parts & fix my 20+ yr old American made dryer it was easy...

I used partselect.com and they even had videos to show step by step for each part. Yippy skippy its so damn quiet now I had to put dryer balls in it to hear it working.I could have spent $4-500 on a new one that will break in a few years. The parts and instructions were at my door in a 1 1/2 days. I'm still waiting for the repair service to call back.

[renate]

14. OMG this is awesome!

Thank you so much for this link!

:yourock:

[bemildred]

15. Thanks, bookmarked. nt

[Robb]

18. Truer words.

I recently fixed my dishwasher for a similar price tag. The overwhelming smugness I get when doing such things is also priceless. :toast:

[Historic NY]

35. +1 I got satisfaction....

I figured why not replace all the associated parts...hey I even got 1.25 in loose change that I found in the dryer. :fistbump:

[Raine]

28. THANKS so much!!! I have an old dryer and a refrig stored in the garage

because I can't get parts for them ... this is a BIG help ... THANKS AGAIN!!!! :hi:

[NNN0LHI]

59. We have a 20+ year old American made dishwasher. Same deal

Still washes dishes better than I can do by hand. My brother got one made by the same company but imported now and has had to replace every mechanical and electrical part on it at least once already. He is disgusted and I recommended the brand. :(

I sure would hate to have to replace this one.

Don

[Shagbark Hickory]

17. I am in a similar position with TVs and computer monitors...

I JUST TODAY replaced my primary work computer monitor that is 11 years old. The thing weighs 60 pounds! It still works but not great. And with the cold weather approaching, it acts funny when it's cold. So I finally replaced it. But I don't know what I'm going to do with the old one and the whole disposal issue did hold me back. I have 3 or 4 others tube monitors.

Another problem is the number of huge tube TVs that I have. When flat screens started becoming the craze back in 05 or so when people would just take out a heloc and buy a $4000 TV, the old timey tvs were shoved off in the dimly lit corner of the store. I knew their days were numbered and my chance to get a decent sized tv for a reasonable price was going to disappear. So I bought 3 tube tvs within that time and my parents gave me one of their giant behemoths for the guest bedroom when they come visit. So now those $4000 tvs are $179 and I have these giant standard definition tvs that won't even pick up air signals anymore except for one of them and they all work fine and 20 years ago I would've killed for tvs as big as these but still! they're kind of embarrassing and I don't know what to do with them and really don't want to see them in a landfill, especially while they're still working.

[donco]

20. Craigs list....free stuff. nt

[InvisibleTouch]

23. Check out your local FreeCycle list.

Most areas have one or more. You should be able to find yours under yahoogroups.com

FreeCycle was created expressly to keep stuff out of the landfills which may still have use to someone else. You can pass along your unwanted items, even stuff that needs repair which can be fixed by someone with skill - and you can find some needed items for yourself.

I'm always amazed at some of the stuff people throw away, and I've rescued quite some good items from the curbside the night before trash pickup. FreeCycle makes the process a little more organized.

[marybourg]

34. +1 for Freecycle. nt.

[southernyankeebelle]

24. When I get a new big item I tell the people unless the guy takes the

old equipment I won't buy a new one. They always take it for me. Usually they know places that need parts. That is what I would do.

[Raine]

26. Yup, that's why I still have old TVs that either have to be hooked to cable

or use a converter box to get anything. The TVs still work. I could afford new ones but I hate to just dump those that I have when they work just fine. :shrug:

[aikoaiko]

30. I have never not tossed something because it will end up in the landfill

But I think its very thoughtful of you to do so.

[malaise]

31. We changed our fridge in July for a more efficient one

The old one was fifteen years old. Our August electricity bill was significantly lower than all our bills for 2011.
Sometimes you have to check whether it is more efficient to throw away old stuff to reduce your energy costs. There are lots of places where we can now send old stuff since folks recycle parts.

[Zanzoobar]

33. Take it apart and recycle it bit by bit

It takes a few tools and you can be happy that your new dishwasher will be more energy efficient and use less water.

[cilla4progress]

39. I agree!

[madmom]

47. We have a local firm that collects anything metal. They have big trash type dumpsters located

in several places around town. They then take it to a recycle center and the money goes to Christmas for underprivileged kids. They seem to be always emptying the dumpsters, people take everything there.

[sad sally]

48. Here are a couple of ways to recycle working used appliances.

If you need to get rid of an old appliance the first thing you should do is call your electric utility and see if they offer a bounty program in your area. These programs can give you a rebate for your old, unwanted appliances. Generally, these appliances do have to meet certain requirements and be in working condition to qualify.

Why recycle an appliance when another family can reuse it? If you’re updating your home and have decided to get new appliances, you can donate your old appliances through various donation programs such as the Salvation Army. These organizations are a great way to get rid of any home appliance but they do need to be in working condition before they are accepted. If you’re interested in these types of programs, there are several options available. Here's a link to some: http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/donation.htm?du

[Rex]

55. No, I am holding off buying anything big ticket until I see corporations

out there adding to job growth. Until then, I can ride it out longer then a corporation can.

[AngryAmish]

60. My dishwasher is garbage

We have tiny babies at home so the hot water is turned down a bit, but my current dishwasher sucks balls. Why haven't I got a new one? Laziness.