How to Live Without a Dishwasher

Dishwashers are a huge convenience, and good ones can even save you money on your water bill if you're doing a lot of hand washing. However, when you have some china or crystal to wash, the dishwasher breaks down or you move into an apartment without one, it's time to grab the dish soap and get to work.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stack the dirty dishes that you will be washing in one side of the sink or near the sink.

2. Fill pots and pans, as well as any especially dirty items or dishes that have food crusted onto them, with soapy water and leave them to soak.

3. Wipe down the sink and fill it with hot, soapy water.

4. Scrub the dishes with a rag, sponge or other scrubber, starting with the cleanest dishes first. Drain and refill the soapy water in the sink when it becomes too dirty to clean the dishes.

5. Either place the dishes in a drying rack or on a towel spread on the counter. This is when it helps to have a buddy to dry and put away the dishes.

6. Dry all dishes thoroughly before returning to cabinets.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash dishes in groups. It helps to have a method, washing all the glasses together, all the flatware, or all the plates at the same time, since you'll use a similar motion.
• Don't sacrifice cleanliness when washing by hand. Scrub thoroughly and use hot water to kill bacteria.
• Wash dishes while you're cooking to minimize the dishes you have to wash later. Cleaning up cutting boards, cutlery and other items during downtime while preparing food is a big help when you have a full set of dishes to clean later.
• Make dishwashing fun. Buddy up to wash and dry more quickly, and turn on some music to scrub to.