How to wash dishes
Since we are in the kitchen this is a good time to learn how to properly wash dishes. Some of you may just use the dishwasher, but washing them by hand is a much more efficient way to getting them done quickly. It takes only a few moments and will use less water.
The BEST time to do dishes, is IMMEDIATELY after they are dirty. If you leave dishes for a few hours or until the morning, the food is caked on and it makes it twice as hard to get them clean. It is best just to do them as soon as you are finished eating. It makes for a clean kitchen and then it is something you won’t have to worry about because it is done.
- Start by removing all foods and liquids from your dishes. Plug the sink, and start to fill with hot water. Squirt a few squirts of dish soap as it is filling up. The hotter the water, the better to remove bacteria.
- Place your silverware in the bottom of the sink. Then your plates, bowls, and finally cups. If you have any casserole pans or pots, fill them with some soap, water and let them sit next to the sink, while you are doing the other dishes. This will give them opportunity to soak and make clean up easier.
- Begin by washing any glasses or cups. Wipe the inside and pay attention to the lip where the mouth touches. I like to wash with a microfiber dish cloth. I have switched from sponge to these because of the bacteria growth on the sponge after sitting out for days. Every night, I throw them into the wash and get a clean one out for the next day. Rinse these in hot water, to remove all of the soap. Set to dry on the rack or towel.
- Next move onto plates and bowls. Carefully wiping the entire object. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and set to dry on towel or rack.
- The silverware is last, this allows it to soak for awhile as you are washing the other dishes. Don’t just grab them out of the sink, wipe each item to make sure that you remove any food left on it. Rinse in hot water and set to dry.
- Lastly wash and scrub serving bowls, pans and pots. I like to use my abrasive scrubber to get caked on foods off easily. If you have had your pan or pot soaking, it will help to remove the stuck on food much easier. What if you have food that is burned on the bottom, making it impossible to remove? Sprinkle some baking soda over a wet pan. Let it sit for about 15 minutes while you go about putting away the other dishes. Come back and start scrubbing with an abrasive pad or steel wool. If it comes off easily then great, if not, sprinkle it again and let it sit longer. I have had to let items sit overnight to remove some burned on turkey bacon.
- Make sure and dry all items before putting them back in your cupboards. Wipe up any wetness from the countertop, hang up your towels to dry, and wipe up any water splashes on the sink. Check the front of your sink to remove any water that may have dripped down.
To cut down on the amount of dishes that I do have after each meal, I like to wash them as I am preparing them. This helps not to have an overwhelmingly full sink after a meal. It only takes a few moments and is a HUGE help when cleaning up after 11 people!
Some dish washing tips to help you:
- Soaking will reduce the amount of time you have to scrub dishes, take advantage of that. Don’t let them soak till the water is cool, but a few moments helps.
- Rinse in hot water and let sit in rack upside down. Dishes can’t dry if they are right side up and have water sitting inside of them.
- If your dish water gets dirty, be sure to drain it and re-fill it up. You cannot get clean dishes with dirty water.
- If the pots and pans still have stuck on food, dampen the pots and sprinkled on some baking soda. Let it sit for a bit and try scrubbing off. Sometimes, especially if the pot is burned you have to do this overnight. It should come off easily in the morning. But be sure to do them first thing in the morning. You don’t want to have pots sitting out in your kitchen waiting to be washed all morning. Use a metal scrubber to help get burned on food efficiently away.
- When done with washing, rinse down your sink area. Wipe the handles and the splash board area down. Turn on your garbage disposer and place all washcloths or towels into the dirty laundry.
- Immediately put away the dishes, drying any that needs to be dry.
