How to Wash Dishes Effectively by Hand

Washing dishes is often a gunky nasty job--but it doesn't have to be such a chore. Even if you have a dishwasher, some things just can't go in there--or there are times when nothing else will fit. Try these tips to make washing your dishes a breeze.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dish soap
• Rubber gloves
• Thick towel
• Sink strainer (have 2 for holiday company or big parties)

1. Scrape food into the garbage before you start! Dunk your dishes in a vinegar and water rinse before washing. It will rinse them squeaky clean.

2. Protect fine dishes and crystal by placing a thick towel in the bottom of the sink.

3. Wash dishes with gloves--it protects your dishes from slipping, saves your hands and allows you to wash in much hotter water. This cleans better and dries much more easily as well.

4. Spray glass baking dishes with oven cleaner and let these stand about 30 minutes. The gunked on mess will come off quickly and easily. Just wipe the sticky stuff out with a paper towel before putting into the dish washing water.

5. If you are washing a lot of dishes stack like things together. Put in a whole stack of plates at once. The bottom ones can rinse while the others are being washed. Do this with bowls and other dishes as well. They stack better in the drain this way, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry dishes with a thick towel for better drying and gripping.
• Don't put sharp knives into the sink--it's too easy to cut yourself that way.