How to Clean Up After Meals More Efficiently

If you're like me, cleaning up after dinner is the part you dread the most. I've found that by following these simple organizational rules, the chore can be done in no time. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A dirty dinner table
• A TV tray
• A dishwasher

1. Get started right after dinner--that way, the food won't begin hardening on the plates.

2. Decide on one plate that will be used to scrap all the food remnants. Scrape all the food into that plate. Stack all the plates together, with the food-remnant plate on top.

3. Poor all the leftover drinks into one glass. Don't stack glass glasses together, as they may stick and break when trying to separate them.

4. Combine all the trash, like napkins and paper plates, into one stack. Combine all the condiments together.

5. Put the plates on your TV tray. Put all silverware in a glass, and put all the glasses around the plates on your tray. Take that load to the sink and empty the tray. Throw away the trash, and put the condiments where they belong. Pre-rinse everything and put the dishes into the dishwasher. Don't forget that plastic items need to go on top.

6. Wipe down your counter and stove with a wet cloth with a little bit of soap (be careful, because soap cannot be used on some stove surfaces, like porcelain tops). Discard of food remnants in the trashcan or garbage disposal (if you have one).

Tips & Warnings

• Another good thing to remember is to clean as you go while you're cooking.
• Put dirty skillets in the sink with a drop of dishwashing detergent and some water. (Wait until the skillet has cooled, though, to prevent warping).
• Don't overload the TV tray.
• Make two trips to the table if necessary.

[pointer]

on 1/30/2009 Very good suggestions!