Washing Dishes By Hand Is Way Easier With These Genius Hacks
Everyone knows the feeling of standing at the sink after a long day and looking at a mountain of dirty plates. It's easy to view dishwashing as a tedious chore that never ends. However, a few simple changes in your routine can actually make the process run a lot more smoothly.
Here are some simple hacks that will make washing dishes feel less like a chore.
Invest in a sink strainer
If you don't have a sink strainer, you're essentially making your job twice as hard. It makes the whole job so much easier by preventing food scraps from sliding down the drain and causing clogs or bad smells.
Instead of fishing around in dirty water for soggy leftovers, you just lift the strainer and dump the contents into the trash. Your pipes and hands will be much cleaner.
Use a dish soap dispenser
Instead of fumbling with a giant bottle of dish soap every few minutes, try using a small pump dispenser. It allows you to get exactly the amount of soap you need with just one hand.
This prevents you from wasting soap and keeps the area around your sink looking tidy. It's a small upgrade that makes a noticeable difference in your routine.
Repurpose mesh produce bags
Don't throw away those mesh bags that hold your onions or potatoes. Instead, you can bunch them up and tie them together to create a fantastic homemade scouring pad.
They're abrasive enough to scrub away stubborn food but gentle enough not to scratch your delicate cookware. I always keep a few of these handy for the really tough jobs in the kitchen.
Leave a bowl of soapy water next to the sink
Standing at the sink and scrubbing individual spoons and forks one by one is a huge time waster. I like to leave a large bowl filled with warm, soapy water right next to the sink while I cook. As soon as I am done using a whisk or a spatula, I drop it into the bowl.
By the time I'm ready to do the dishes, the food has already softened, which makes rinsing them off quick and easy.
Use the stovetop heat to clean stuck-on residue
Sometimes you end up with a pan that has burnt food stuck so hard that a sponge alone just won't work. Instead of scrubbing until your arm hurts, fill the pan with a little water and a drop of soap. Place it back on the stovetop and bring the water to a gentle simmer for a few minutes.
The heat will loosen the bond between the food and the metal. The residue will practically slide right off with minimal effort.
Polish silverware with aluminum foil
If your silverware is starting to look dull or tarnished, you can use aluminum foil to bring back the shine. Line a small basin with the foil and fill it with warm water and a little baking soda.
When your forks and spoons touch the foil in the water, a chemical reaction pulls the tarnish away. It feels like magic to see the metal brighten up without any intense polishing.
Soak every part of the water bottle
Reusable water bottles are great for the environment, but they can get pretty gross if they're not cleaned properly. I find it best to take every single piece apart, including the straws and the rubber seals. Soak all the components in hot soapy water for at least twenty minutes.
This ensures that any hidden bacteria or mold in the crevices is fully removed. Using a small brush during this process helps you reach those difficult and narrow spots.
Use salt as a gentle abrasive
When you have a delicate surface that needs a bit of scrubbing power, reach for the salt shaker. Table salt acts as a natural and gentle abrasive that can break down grease and stuck-on food without being too harsh.
Just sprinkle a little bit onto a damp sponge and work it into the problem area. It's cheap, effective, and perfectly safe for your kitchen tools.
Wash in the right order
The sequence in which you wash your dishes can actually save you a lot of time and hot water. Always start with the cleanest items first, like glassware and mugs. This ensures that the water stays clean for the things you put near your mouth.
Move on to plates and bowls next, and save the greasy pots and pans for the very end. This way, you avoid spreading grease from the heavy pans onto your delicate glasses.
Use hot water to remove grease
Many people make the mistake of using lukewarm water for greasy pans, but you really need high heat. Very hot water helps to melt the fats and oils so they can be washed away by the soap. If the water is too cool, the grease will just smear around the surface and stay stuck.
Be sure to wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from the high heat.
Clean your cleaning tools
It's easy to forget that the sponges and brushes we use to clean our dishes also need to be cleaned themselves. A dirty sponge will just spread bacteria around your plates.
Make it a habit to microwave your damp sponge for a minute or run your brushes through the dishwasher every couple of days. This keeps them smelling fresh and ensure that they're actually cleaning your dishes.
Let dishes air dry
There is no rule that says you have to dry every dish with a towel as soon as you wash it. In fact, air drying is often more hygienic because towels can harbor bacteria from previous uses.
I prefer to use a sturdy drying rack and let the air do the work for me. If you're worried about spots on your glassware, you can give them a quick buff later.
Washing dishes by hand doesn't have to be a source of stress in your life. By using these small tricks, you can make the process faster, cleaner, and even a bit more enjoyable.
It's often the simplest changes that have the biggest impact on our daily happiness. I hope these ideas help you find a bit more peace in your kitchen tonight.