How to spend less on your Dishwasher (lesser than what you pay to your Maid)

At the outset I'd like to let you know that neither this blog nor this post is agaist Maids. Among House Maid population, there are still about 5 to 10 %, who are reliable and do a neat job, we too had a maid (in our native city) who worked in our house for about 20 years, she was reliable and we considered her has one in our extended family. If you still have one like her, then please continue with them as you are supporting a person and her family indirectly.

Coming back to the topic. There are about four items I consider as recurring expenses while having a dishwasher.

1. Dishwasher Salt
2. Dishwasher Detergent
3. Rinse Aid
4. Electricity Expense

(Note that all the details provided below are based on IFB Neptune model with Intensive Wash program and bore water being used)

Dishwasher Salt : Dishwashers in India generally have a Water Softening unit (IFB has) that helps in converting hard water to soft water so that your Dishwasher Detergent works well. Need to fill atleast a Kg of it, once a month depending on level of hardness in your water. There is a specific way to set this level in the Dishwasher, I'll tell you the practical way I follow to set it right (but little later). We fill it once in a month (30 washes) and costs Rs 70 / Kg. Comes to Rs 2.30 per wash

Dishwasher Detergent : This is not a normal detergent that we use for washing cloths, but, a special detergent - one meant for Dishwashers. Need to fill it every time - just before you start the Dishwasher. We use about 3 spoons (I'll explain in detail, little later) and it comes for about 75 washes. It costs Rs 210 / Kg. Comes to Rs 2.80per wash.

Rise Aid : This prevents water spots on you vessels and brings the extra shine on your vessels. Need to fill about 50 ml each month (I'll explain in detail, little later). Its costs Rs 75 / 200ml. Comes to Rs 0.63 per wash.

Electricity Expense : Takes 2 units per wash (Intensive Wash - thats the maximum level in IFB - Neptune). Going by the slab rates prevailing currently in the city I'm living - Hyderabad, Comes to Rs 3.37 per wash.

Going by the cost I've earlier mentioned , the total expenditure works out to Rs 9.10 per wash. We normally run the dishwasher once a day, hence our monthly expense works out to Rs 273.

Coming Next: Some alternatives to additives