If handwashing dishes is your least favourite task too, go easy, I have some dishwashing hacks that will make your job way easier.
Washing dishes post every meal is the best thing you can do for you, your family and your home (for hygiene and an orderly home), it is easier said than done.
Over and above how much you dislike a chore, it’s always good to take charge of your own housework. Appreciate doing things for your loved ones without expecting someone else to do it for you.
Because no one (not even hired help) can do the cleaning for you as you do for your family with a sense of responsibility and care.
It could be dreary in the beginning. But with these steps, you’ll have an easier time doing dishes. Maybe you start liking it or at least don’t mind doing it.
NO MORE DIRTY DISHES: 8 HACKS TO MAKE HAND DISHWASHING EASIER
1. Make rinsing a priority:
The greasy food particles on the dishes dry up and harden when left unsoaked for a long time. These dishes, pots, and pans (with dried food buildup) take great deal of time and energy to clean.
We, generally, tend to procrastinate activities that take time and grind — resulting in piling up of the dishes.
That’s when my very own “The Quick Rinse method” helps to prevent the situation.
It’s pretty easy.
After finishing your meals or while cooking — make sure to give all the dishes and utensils a good rinse.
You can use a brush too to ensure that grease and residue are washed. Then, stack them nicely to clean later.
Even in the case of a dishwasher — this habit of rinsing will make your life so much easier.
Sponging and having the dishes separated (kept out of the sink) will keep the sink empty. Now the only thing remaining will be — soaping and rinsing the dishes.
Because of this step, your dishes and utensils will be pretty clean already. Now all you’ll have to do is soap them, place them into hot water, and pull them out on the drying mat/rack.
- In the case of two sinks — you can use one side to stack the rinsed dishes, pots, and pans. And keep the other side empty. This will save you the extra work of unloading the sink before you actually begin washing the dishes.
- With one sink you can keep the rinsed dishes and utensils out on the counter, in a way that shouldn’t block your worktop.
- You can straightway place them into the dishwasher in case you own one.
- Last but not least, if you feel motivated to step forward and get the task done then there is nothing better.
Rinsing dishes immediately is an alternative to the soaking method. Since soaking leaves odour, it’s off-putting to tackle a sinkful of dirty dishes that are sitting there too long.
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2. The 5-minute trick:
In this technique, you set the timer and allow yourself to wash dishes only for 5 minutes. This step serves in 2 ways –
- Most of the time, getting started is the main hindrance to getting things done. You can overcome that by tricking yourself to do the cleaning for the minimum time frame of 5 minutes. By the moment your timer goes off, either you’ll have finished your task, or will be driven to complete the job as only a few items would be left. The likelihood of this first situation is really high.
- Still, if you’re not prompted to continue washing till the end, at least you’re halfway through it (in the case of a large pile of dishes).
Always a win-win.
3. Add baking soda to dishwashing detergent liquid/Bar:
Add some baking soda to the cleaning product. Be it ceramic/glass dishes or stainless steel cookware, it’ll make cleaning a breeze.
You have to take baking soda and dishwashing liquid in a ratio of 2:1.
That means the dish liquid is half the quantity of baking soda.
Using less detergent will ensure the soap rinses off quickly, make dishwashing super easy.
The baking soda will remove the odors and cut off grease/oil/burn smoothly, making the dishes come out squeaky clean in no time.
No elbow grease and you’ll have spotless dishes before you even know it.
Adding baking soda will not only save you time, effort, and water, but the dishes will come out really clean.
4. Use fewer utensils throughout the day:
For instance – each member will use the same cup of drinking water the entire day. Noone need different cups every time you want to drink water. Also, while cooking, start ahead of your time to be mindful & use fewer utensils.
Because if you watch carefully we tend to use lots of bowls, cups, and plates when cooking in a hurry.
5. Have a routine:
Decide how many times in a day would you prefer to wash the dishes.
A mountain pile of dishes — once a day; the whole stack in two shots, or a small number of dishes post every meal?
Whatever you choose for yourself — having a routine will make things easier.
6. Air dry dishes:
As far as possible, bypass the insignificant and time-consuming step of cloth-drying the dishes for lint-free dishes, pots, and pans.
7. Put on some peppy music or enjoy quiet time:
Some people like to enjoy music while doing the dishes. But, if you’re someone like me, you’ll appreciate the quiet time washing them with full attention – to get it done faster and cleaner.
8. Make it a family-time activity:
Regardless of all of the steps — dishwashing is sure to be dreadful with a large family.
How about asking each member to wash their own dishes?
Here’s how:
Take a soap dispenser bottle; fill it with dish detergent, baking soda, and water. Mix it well and keep it near the sink in a tray along with a sponge.
Post every meal, each member will be in charge of washing their own dishes — they’ll take one pump soap on their plate, lather, rinse, and place it on the drying mat and they are done.
Another way is having kids unload the dishwasher. Or dry and put away clean dishes as you wash them.
Additional Tip:
Make it a habit to clean the stove, surfaces, and sink every time after doing the dishes, to experience clean kitchen countertops, any time you/someone else enters the kitchen.
Once you start keeping your kitchen clean you’ll always want to have it that way all the time.
Developing the habit of having a clean kitchen most of the time will inspire you to maintain it.
Thank you so much for reading. Don’t forget to share your dishwashing tips and tricks in the comment section below. Happy Dishwashing!