Yes, the temperature of the water can make a difference when washing dishes with dish soap. In general, using warm or hot water is more effective at removing grease, oil, and food residues, making it easier to get your dishes clean. Here's why:
Grease and oil removal: Warm or hot water helps to dissolve grease and oils on dishes more effectively than cold water. This is particularly important when washing items like frying pans, pots, or baking sheets, which can have stubborn grease and residue.
Food debris and stains: Hot water can help loosen and lift food particles and stains from dishes more easily, making it less likely for residues to remain on the dishes after washing.
Soap lathering: Dish soap tends to lather better in warm water, creating more suds. These suds can trap and lift away grease and dirt from dishes more efficiently than in cold water.
While warm or hot water is generally more effective for cleaning, using extremely hot water may not always be necessary, and it can also increase your energy consumption. For most household dishwashing needs, water that is comfortably warm to the touch (around 110°F to 125°F or 43°C to 52°C) is sufficient.
If you are looking to conserve energy, you can still achieve good cleaning results by following these tips:
Pre-soaking: For dishes with stubborn, dried-on residues, consider pre-soaking them in warm water and dish soap before starting the actual washing process.
Scrape off excess food: Before washing dishes, scrape off any large food particles, and rinse them with cold water. This can help remove the initial debris before using warm water for the actual cleaning.
Don't leave dishes to sit for too long: If you can't wash dishes immediately, avoid letting food residues dry on them, as it becomes more challenging to remove later.
Ultimately, the choice between hot and cold water for dishwashing depends on your preference, the degree of cleaning required, and your efforts to conserve energy.