Washing dishes the right way—how do you do that? That’s a question we ask ourselves every holiday. Because when we leave our dishwasher behind, we go back to washing by hand. That’s vacation. Sort of ;-).
I used to wash dishes at least twice a day, but my brother and I didn’t always enjoy it. We were so happy when we finally got a dishwasher! Suddenly, we only had to empty it every other day. Life got a little better, or so we thought.
Maybe you don’t like doing the dishes or think it’s too much work. But with these simple tips and tricks, dishwashing becomes easy. Give them a try!
7 Dishwashing Tips and Tricks
1. Use a Sink
This may not be the cleanest way, but it’s an environmentally friendly tip! Don’t wash your dishes under running water—use a sink or a tub instead.
Start by scraping off as much food as possible. If there are stubborn bits, rinse them under cold water (only if needed!). Then, fill a sink or tub with warm water for washing.
2. Use Very Hot Water
Make the water as hot as you can handle. Hot water cleans dishes much better because it helps dissolve grease.
3. Milk Products? Use Cold Water!
There’s one exception to hot water: dishes containing milk products, like glasses or yogurt cups. Rinse them with cold water first, or they’ll be harder to clean.
4. The Right Order for Washing Dishes
Of course, you don’t start with a greasy frying pan. But what’s the best order?
- Glasses
- Other glassware
- Plates and bowls
- Cutlery
- Pans and pots
This way, your dishwater stays cleaner for longer. And always scrape food off first to keep the water fresh!
5. No More Water Stains on Cutlery
Do you ever get those annoying water stains on your cutlery? Spots can always appear whether you wash by hand or use a dishwasher. To prevent this, dry your cutlery with a towel instead of letting it air dry.
6. No Scratching Your Pans
You know you shouldn’t use a scouring pad on a frying pan, as it can damage the coating. But what if a brush or sponge isn’t enough?
Try this trick:
- Sprinkle a tablespoon of salt and a dash of oil into the pan.
- Rub it in with a paper towel.
The salt has a light scrubbing effect that cleans the pan without scratching it!
7. Fixing Burnt Pans
You got distracted for a moment—oops, now your pan is burnt! Scrubbing? Not necessary with this trick:
- Add a layer of water to the pan.
- Stir in one tablespoon of baking soda.
- Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
Let it cool slightly, then clean the pan. You’ll see how easily the burnt bits come off!
With these tips, washing dishes becomes so much easier. Give them a try and see for yourself! 🧽
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