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WASHING DISHES

Water from the average kitchen faucet runs at a rate of about 2 gallons per minute. If you leave the water running the whole time you are washing your dishes, in 15 minutes you will use 30 gallons of water!
A fully loaded dishwasher uses much less water.  A newer (2009) Energy Star dishwasher uses less than 6 gallons of water.  Even a 15 year old dishwasher will only use about 13-14 gallons.


When you let dishes sit in water for a long time, it "creates a soup," says an FDA spokesman. "The food left on the dish contributes nutrients for bacteria, so the bacteria will multiply." When washing dishes by hand, he says, it's best to wash them all within two hours. Also, it's best to air-dry them so you don't handle them while they're wet.
 

FDA's Food Information Line
1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366)
FDA public affairs specialists available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
(Compiled from the FDA Consumer  - latest revision, July 2002)