How to Make Dishwashing Easy

Is any household chore drearier than dishwashing? Even dishwashers don't seem to make the job much better. With all the rinsing and wiping, you can almost wash the dishes faster by hand. But there are a few tips you can use to make dishwashing easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Make the kids help. Just because you wash the dishes doesn't mean you have to do everything. Have the kids clear the table, scrape the plates and stack the dishes neatly by the sink.
2. Toss the silverware in first. Dried-on goop stuck to fork tines is never fun. As you wash the other dishes, allow the silverware to soak in the bottom of the sink. By the time you get to it, the silverware will be easier to clean.
3. Stack dishes in the order that you'll do them. Plastics first, while the water is very hot and easily cuts through grease. Work on the glasses next to get the breakables out of the way. Rinse plates after that, as they're easily dried to make room for more dishes and then the serving dishes, pots and pans.
4. Dry as you go. You'll have more room to stack dishes, less work to do later, and glasses are less likely to break under heavy pots and pans. Enlist your spouse or children to help with drying and putting dishes away.
5. Add dishwater to bowls that need to soak a few minutes. They'll soften up as you wash other dishes. Boil dishwater and add to pans and baking dishes with burnt or baked-on food. Anyone who has ever scrubbed bacon residue stuck to a frying pan or scalloped potatoes cemented to a baking dish can appreciate this tip. Allow the extra-hot, sudsy water to sit for several minutes. Afterward, the pan is much easier to clean.
6. Change the dishwater. Dishwashing soap loses effectiveness as it cools down and becomes diluted with food and grease. If you have a lot of dishwashing to do, empty the sink about halfway through and finish with new dishwater. You might be surprised what a difference fresh water can make.
7. Use every available weapon. A dishcloth can only do so much. A high-quality dish soap, scrubby pads, steel wool and my personal favorite, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers can make dishwashing a much more pleasant experience. Don't waste your time scrubbing endlessly; always use the right tool for the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Dip sharp knives into the dishwater, then lay them on the counter, blade facing the wall. This allows them to 'soak' for easy cleaning, yet eliminates the danger of getting cut by a knife hidden in the sink.

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