#renter tips

How to Freshen Up The Air in Your Home This Spring

If you're renting an apartment or house, there's a good chance your kitchen didn't come with a dishwasher. And if it did, consider yourself lucky — because for millions of renters, washing every single dish, pot, and glass by hand is just part of daily life. It's time-consuming, it's tedious, and after a long day, it's the last thing anyone wants to deal with.

The good news is there's a practical middle ground: portable dishwashers. They've been gaining popularity among renters precisely because they don't require any permanent installation, don't need landlord approval, and can move with you when your lease ends. But are they actually worth the investment for renters? That depends on a few things — and this article will help you figure out whether one makes sense for your situation.

The Renter's Kitchen Reality

Most rental kitchens are designed with the basics in mind. You get a stove, a refrigerator, maybe a microwave — and that's usually where the appliance list ends. Dishwashers, when they're included, are considered a premium feature, and plenty of rental units simply don't have them.

Installing a built-in dishwasher isn't a realistic option for most renters either. It requires modifying cabinetry, tapping into existing plumbing, and making permanent changes to the kitchen — all things that typically require landlord permission and often aren't allowed at all. Even if a landlord agreed, the cost and complexity of installation make it impractical for a space you don't own.

So renters are left with two options: wash everything by hand or find a smarter workaround. That's exactly where portable dishwashers come in.

What Makes Portable Dishwashers Renter-Friendly

The biggest advantage of a portable dishwasher for renters is what it doesn't require. There's no drilling, no plumbing modification, no cabinetry work, and no conversation with your landlord about making changes to the unit. You roll it into position, connect it to the faucet, run a cycle, and disconnect when you're done.

Because the connection is temporary — using the same quick-connect adapter system described in faucet-based setups — you're not altering anything in the kitchen. The faucet looks and functions exactly the same when the dishwasher isn't in use. That's a meaningful distinction when you're living in a space where you're responsible for returning everything to its original condition.

Portability also means the appliance belongs to you. Unlike a built-in dishwasher that stays with the property, a portable unit moves with you to your next apartment. For renters who relocate every year or two, that's a genuine long-term value — you're investing in something you keep, not something you leave behind.

Cost Considerations — Is the Investment Justified?

Portable dishwashers typically range from around $300 to $999 depending on size, brand, and features. That's a real upfront cost, and it's fair to ask whether it's worth it.

One way to think about it is time. The average person spends roughly 30 to 45 minutes a day on dish-related tasks — washing, drying, and putting away. Over the course of a month, that adds up to 15 to 22 hours. Over a year, you're looking at close to 200 hours spent at the sink. When you frame the cost of a portable dishwasher against that kind of time investment, the math starts to look different.

There's also the water efficiency angle. Hand-washing dishes — especially with the tap running continuously — uses significantly more water than most people realize. A typical portable dishwasher uses around 3 to 5 gallons per cycle, while hand-washing the same load can use anywhere from 10 to 20 gallons depending on your habits. Over time, the water savings can meaningfully offset the appliance's cost, and your utility bill may reflect that.

Energy consumption is relatively modest for portable dishwashers. Most models run on a standard 120-volt outlet and consume a comparable amount of energy to other household appliances. Running a full load once a day won't dramatically spike your electricity bill, especially if you use energy-saving or eco cycle settings when available.

Space and Kitchen Size — An Honest Assessment

Space is where renters need to be most realistic. Portable dishwashers come in two main formats: countertop models and full-size rolling units.

Countertop models are compact — roughly the size of a large microwave — and sit directly on the counter. They're ideal for studio apartments or very small kitchens where floor space is tight. The trade-off is capacity; countertop units typically hold 6 place settings per cycle, which works well for one or two people but may feel limiting if you cook elaborate meals regularly.

Full-size portable dishwashers are larger, roll on casters, and stand at counter height. They hold more — usually 12 place settings — and feel closer to the experience of a built-in dishwasher. The downside is that they take up floor space when in use and need to be stored somewhere when they're not. In a small apartment kitchen, that can be a real constraint.

Before buying, measure your kitchen honestly. Think about where the unit will live during a cycle (it needs to be close to the faucet and sink) and where it will go when it's stored. Some renters roll their unit into a hallway or a corner of the living area between uses. Others dedicate a permanent spot in the kitchen. Neither approach is wrong, but having a plan before the appliance arrives saves a lot of rearranging later.

Faucet and Setup Compatibility in Rentals

Rental kitchens add an extra layer of consideration when it comes to faucet compatibility. Older rental units often have dated faucets — which can actually work in your favor, since older standard faucets tend to have straightforward threaded aerators that connect easily to dishwasher adapters.

Newer rental units, however, may have pull-out or pull-down faucets, which are more common in modern kitchen designs but less compatible with standard adapters. Before purchasing a portable dishwasher, take a close look at your rental's faucet and determine whether a standard adapter will work. If it won't, you'll need to explore specialty adapters or rethink the setup.

One thing renters sometimes wonder about is whether connecting a portable dishwasher technically violates their lease. In nearly all cases, it doesn't — because you're not making any permanent modifications. You're simply using the faucet, which is no different from attaching a faucet-mounted water filter. That said, if your lease has unusually specific language about appliances, it's worth a quick read-through just to be sure.

Lifestyle Fit — Who Benefits Most

Portable dishwashers aren't the right fit for every renter, but for certain lifestyles, they make an enormous difference.

Busy professionals who cook at home regularly and hate ending the day with a pile of dishes will likely find a portable dishwasher to be one of the better quality-of-life purchases they make. The time savings alone justify the cost for people who value their evenings.

Couples and small families in rental apartments are also strong candidates. Two people generate enough dishes daily to make hand-washing genuinely tiresome, and a portable dishwasher handles that load easily without taking up the space a full built-in would require.

People who entertain occasionally — hosting dinners or gatherings — will appreciate the ability to load up a full cycle after guests leave rather than spending an hour at the sink.

On the other hand, if you live alone, cook minimally, and only generate a handful of dishes a day, a portable dishwasher may be more appliance than you need. Hand-washing a few items takes minutes, and the countertop or floor space a dishwasher occupies might be better used for other things in a compact kitchen.

Potential Drawbacks to Be Honest About

No appliance is perfect, and portable dishwashers come with a few trade-offs worth acknowledging.

Capacity is the most frequently cited limitation. Even full-size portable models hold fewer dishes than a large built-in dishwasher, which means households that generate a lot of dishes may need to run two cycles or still hand-wash some items like large pots and pans.

The connect-and-disconnect routine, while quick, is still an extra step that built-in dishwasher owners don't deal with. For most people, it becomes second nature within a week. But if the idea of attaching a hose every time you want to run a cycle sounds like a dealbreaker, it's better to know that upfront.

Storage in very small kitchens can also be genuinely challenging. If your kitchen is under 80 square feet with limited counter and floor space, finding a workable spot for even a compact countertop unit may require some creative rearranging.

So, Are They Worth It for Renters?

For the right renter, absolutely yes. If you cook regularly, value your time, live with at least one other person, and have a kitchen with a compatible faucet and enough space to accommodate a portable unit — a portable dishwasher is a practical, cost-effective upgrade to daily life. The upfront investment pays off relatively quickly in time saved and water efficiency, and since the appliance moves with you, you're not leaving anything behind when you relocate.

The key is going in with realistic expectations. A portable dishwasher won't replicate every feature of a built-in model, and it does require a little bit of setup each time. But for the freedom it offers renters — no installation, no landlord permissions, no permanent commitment — it's a genuinely smart solution to a very common problem.

“When my apartment feels heavy after a long week, I don’t sit and analyze it—I start moving things.” Not dramatically. Not following some elaborate spiritual protocol. I clean. I rearrange racks. I shift books. I change furniture positions. And somewhere between moving that bookshelf three inches left and wiping down surfaces, something inside me changes too. The physical movement breaks the…

As the new school year begins, expenses can pile up quickly, especially for students living away from home.

But before you rush to buy new supplies, take a second look at what you already have.

From upcycling old notebooks to repurposing pencil cases, giving your school supplies a refresh doesn’t just save money, it also reduces waste and adds a personal touch to your gear. ✂️📚

This blog shares practical, low-cost tips to help students and boarders make the most of what’s already available. Ideal for anyone trying to stretch their budget without compromising on style or functionality.

🔗 Read the full blog here: Back-to-School Budget Tips: Give Old Supplies a New Life

Renting a place in Iloilo City? Whether you're a student looking for a boarding house or a professional moving into your first apartment, it's important to watch out for rental scams! Yes, they still happen, even in 2025.

From fake listings to suspiciously low prices and advance payment traps, scammers are getting more creative. But with the right tips and tools, you can avoid falling for them.

🛑 Spot the red flags 🔍 Always verify listings 📄 Ask for proper documentation 👥 Meet landlords or caretakers in person when possible

Stay one step ahead. Read the full blog here: 👉 Avoiding Heartbreak: Common Rental Scams in Iloilo City and How to Stay Safe

With KURTINA, you can browse verified listings, connect with real landlords, and manage your rental experience confidently.

It may be officially the start of the rainy season in the Philippines, but let’s be real, daytime heat and harsh sunlight haven’t exactly taken a break.

If you’re a renter in a sun-exposed apartment or boarding house, it’s still important to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure, especially during midday hours.

☀️ Smart Sun Safety Tips for Renters:

Close curtains or blinds during peak hours – Helps block direct sunlight and reduces indoor heat.

Avoid going out between 10 AM and 3 PM – This is when UV rays are strongest.

Wear breathable clothing and a hat – Especially if you have to run errands or commute.

Apply sunscreen—even indoors – UV rays can still enter through windows.

Stay hydrated – Heat and sun exposure can cause dehydration fast.

Use indoor shade options – Stick-on window films or UV-filter curtains can help.

Watch out for early signs of heat stress – Headaches, dizziness, or fatigue shouldn't be ignored.

💡 Staying indoors doesn’t guarantee full protection. Taking small precautions helps you stay safe and comfortable, even on unexpectedly sunny days.

📖 Read the full blog here: Avoiding Excessive Sun Exposure

📲 For more renter-friendly tips and features that make living easier, check out the KURTINA app.

A few months ago, Buzzfeed had a humorous take on searching for apartments in NYC; the process may be hard but there are many tools (like RentalEngine!) to help make the process go smoothly.