How to do the dishes better, faster and more fun

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Nobody likes to wash dishes. It is a fact. But there are 10 ways to speed up the process and make it a little nicer.

1. Use the rule of one soapy sponge

When a whole mountain of dishes accumulates in the kitchen, it seems that cleaning it of grease and dirt is a real feat. Try to make it easier for yourself with the one soapy sponge rule: Wash the dishes until the sponge lathers. When the product runs out, take a break and do something else. The secret is that the procedure, divided into several small stages, is psychologically much easier to perform.

2. Get some nice dishwashing utensils

Washing dishes is not the most inspiring task. But working with an ugly old sponge, a product with an unpleasant chemical odor and in an unattractive environment is even less desirable.

It is enough to surround yourself with beautiful accessories: soap with your favorite scent, an original dispenser or cute brushes, and the prospect of washing the dishes will no longer seem so daunting.

3. And buy a pair of rubber gloves

Stop pretending to be Cinderella. Buy rubber gloves that will keep your hands dry, protect them from the harmful effects of chemicals and possible damage during dishwashing. You can definitely afford this luxury.

4. Save detergent

Instead of squeezing the product directly onto a sponge, try dissolving a small amount in a bowl of water and dampening the sponge in it. This will significantly reduce the consumption of detergent.

In addition, dishes that have not been touched by raw meat, eggs or butter do not need to be washed with soap. Rinsing is often enough.

5. Use life hacks to remove difficult dirt

Burnt food on the bottom of a pot or pan is a nightmare for any dishwasher. Here are some tips to help you clean up dirt easier and faster.

• Place empty, dirty dishes on the stove and select the highest temperature. After a while, drip water into the container. If a drop hisses and evaporates instantly, feel free to fill it with a whole glass of water at room temperature. As soon as the steam dissipates, rub off the dirt mercilessly with a wooden spatula.
• Fill the dishes with water, add detergent and boil for 10–20 minutes. After half an hour, when everything has cooled down, proceed to cleaning the contaminated surface.
• Use these guidelines.

6. Don't litter the sink

We've all come across a situation where one dirty plate in the sink turns into a fetid pile of dishes. Of course, it is not always possible to wash everything and immediately, so you can use the following technique.

When you have a first and deep enough candidate for cleaning (for example, a saucepan or large bowl), fill it with hot water and detergent, place it next to the sink (not in!) And put other dirty dishes in it.

So you, firstly, keep the sink empty, and secondly, prepare the dishes for express cleaning. Soaked in hot water, it will wash off faster, you will be less tempted to leave it for later, and the kitchen is unlikely to turn into Augean stables.

7. Do not wash everything in the dishwasher

Even if you are the proud owner of a dishwasher, you still cannot avoid washing dishes in the traditional way. At least, if you do not want to damage kitchen utensils and expensive equipment.

Here's a list of things you shouldn't put in the dishwasher:

• Cast iron products. They require more careful and careful maintenance.
• Good knives. They will become dull faster if you wash them in the car, and not by hand.
• Crystal. May crack or scratch.
• Wooden crafts. May deform.
• Non-stick cookware. It all depends on the brand: some models can be washed in the dishwasher, others not. If you don't know for sure, it's best to use good old hands. Otherwise, your pans run the risk of losing their professional suitability.
• Copper cookware. May change color.
• Plastic. An exception is made of hard plastic products, on which the manufacturer has indicated that they can be washed in a machine.
• Gilded dishes. The machine can spoil the noble finish.
• Dishes with labels. High temperatures can come loose and clog the dishwasher.

8. Empty the dryer and dishwasher in time

You want to wash dirty dishes even less if you need to perform an additional operation before that: remove and arrange the previous batch. Therefore, before preparing dinner, make sure there is enough space in the dryer and the dishwasher is free.

9. Listen to something nice or funny

Instead of agonizing over the sink, mentally making a to-do list for the next week, turn on your favorite music, radio, or a funny podcast. Time will fly by.

10. Meditate

We don't have much time to be alone with ourselves. So exhale, relax and allow yourself not to think about anything. Even dirty dishes. Just wash, wash …