You can easily save energy, water and time. Just run your dishwasher with it as full as possible. Hand washing results in using more water (up to 27 gallons vs. 3 gallons for the machine). Heating the water for those extra gallons is an unnecessary energy cost to your wallet and the environment. The dishwasher is also more hygienic because it heats the smaller amount of water to a degree your hands—and germs—can’t stand.