How to save time doing dishes

Unless you survive on paper plates and plastic spoons, dirty dishes are a part of life. But there are a few things you can do to save time spent at the kitchen sink.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Handsoap dispenser
• Dishwashing liquid
• Dishwasher with divided utensil basket

1. Fill a hand soap dispenser with a pump with dish washing liquid. This makes getting small amounts of soap fast and easy.

2. Everything that can be put in the dishwasher should be put in the dishwasher as you are finished with it. Letting it pile up in the sink all day only makes the task more daunting at the end of the day.

3. As you load the dishwasher, try to keep like items together so you can quickly unload one section at a time and don't waste time and steps moving around to different drawers and cabinets in the kitchen.

4. Using a divided utensil basket in the dishwasher, separate forks, spoons, knives and other utensils in the same way you have them stored in the drawer or counter top canister. This way you can grab the utensils in each section and put them away quickly without worrying about sorting them.

5. For items that can't go in the dishwasher, use the hand soap dispenser to get a small amount of soap you need. If you can't get to it right away, fill it at least part way with hot water so when you do have the chance you won't have to do so much scrubbing.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to give yourself a little leeway. We all have days when we just can't face that sink full of dishes. They'll still be there in the morning if you just can't do it.