Avoid the Hidden Costs of Handwashing: The Real ROI of a Glasswasher

In a busy bar, every second — and every penny — counts. Yet many bar owners still rely on handwashing glasses, unaware of the hidden costs stacking up behind the scenes. From wasted staff hours to breakages and water bills, manual washing might be costing more than you think.

At DS Refrigeration, we believe in solutions that save time, improve hygiene, and protect your bottom line. Here's why investing in a commercial glasswasher is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your bar or restaurant in 2025. 

1. Labour: Hours Down the Drain

Handwashing is time-consuming. Let’s break it down: 

• Washing, rinsing, and drying one glass by hand takes approximately 30–45 seconds.
• In a moderately busy bar, you might go through 500+ glasses per night.
  
• That’s 4–6 staff hours per day spent just on glasswashing.
  

Even at minimum wage, that’s £45–£70 per day — or over £1,000 a month — just to clean glasses. A commercial glasswasher does the same job in just 2–3 minutes per full rack, freeing up your team for higher-value tasks like serving customers. 

2. Water & Energy Efficiency

It might seem cheaper to fill a sink, but glasswashers are surprisingly efficient: 

• Most commercial glasswashers use as little as 2–3 litres per cycle, versus 10+ litres per sink fill.
• Many modern units are energy-rated, meaning lower electricity costs and reduced carbon footprint.
• Over the course of a year, you could save hundreds of pounds in water and heating bills alone.

3. Reduce Breakages

Let’s be honest: handwashing leads to broken glass. Wet hands, soapy surfaces, and staff fatigue all contribute. Replacing even 5–10 glasses per week at £2–3 each adds up.

A glasswasher handles glassware more gently and consistently, reducing damage and extending the life of your stock. 

4. Consistent Hygiene Standards

Manual cleaning leaves room for error — and that’s a risk you can’t afford in hospitality. Commercial glasswashers operate at high temperatures, delivering consistent sanitisation and ensuring compliance with hygiene regulations.

Bonus? Sparkling glasses every time — no lipstick marks or soap residue to embarrass your team.

5. A Smart Investment

With prices starting from around £1,000–£2,000, a glasswasher often pays for itself within 6–12 months, especially when factoring in: 

• Reduced labour costs
• Lower utility bills
• Fewer breakages
• Better hygiene and presentation 

Explore Our Range of Glasswashers

At DS Refrigeration, we supply and install top-quality commercial glasswashers designed for bars, restaurants, and cafés across Northern Ireland. Whether you need a compact undercounter model or a high-volume unit, we’ll help you find the perfect fit.

👉 Browse Glasswashers Now
📞 028 3751 1425
📧 sales@ds-refrigeration.co.uk 

Final Word

If you’re still relying on handwashing, it's time to crunch the numbers. Investing in a glasswasher isn’t just a convenience — it’s a cost-saving decision that boosts efficiency, hygiene, and service quality.

Ready to upgrade? Talk to our team today.