Unless you love cleaning, you probably don’t like washing the dishes. You might hate doing the dishes so much that you avoid this important apartment task at all costs. However, neglecting the dishes is a mistake that can lead to pests, which nobody wants. The good news is that you can make this often tedious chore easier. Here are some ways to easily get your dishes done.
Buy the right dishes
Make sure you have the right dishes for your needs. For example, if you have a dishwasher, it’s best to use dishwasher-safe dishes and cookware so you can save time. All you’ll need to do is wipe your dishes and put them in the dishwasher. You don’t need to wash dishes before putting them in the dishwasher—it’s a waste of water and dishwashers are strong enough to remove the debris. If you’re unsure if some of your dishes are dishwasher friendly, it’s best to err on the side of caution and hand wash them to prevent damage.
Don’t wait
You may want to relax after you’re done eating, but it’s better to wash your dishes as soon as possible after your meal. By washing your dishes directly after using them, it’ll be much easier to remove food particles, as scrubbing dishes can be annoyingly tough work once food particles are dried. Additionally, your dishes won’t be exposed to unnecessarily excessive wear from scrubbing if you wash them shortly after eating.
After you wash your dishes, you’ll see fewer dried food particles on them, so you’ll feel better eating off them the next time you use them. If washing dishes after eating seems unappealing, listen to music or watch something while you’re cleaning to make the time fly by.
Soak overnight
Some recipes can leave your dishes sticky or oily. For these tough-to-clean dishes, you might need an overnight soak.
The best way to soak your dishes is in a dishpan or a large basin suitable for soaking. You can save water by first soaking your dishes in a water-filled dishpan. You can also protect your dishware by using a dishpan because it’s a softer surface than your sink. After soaking your dishes, they’ll be easier to clean when they’re ready to get washed.
Know when to reuse
You can wash some dishware while you’re cooking to prevent making a larger mess. A measuring spoon full of water-soluble liquid that isn’t an oi, can just be briefly rinsed with water, dried, then reused as you’re cooking. You can also quickly wash mixing bowls and pans while your food is cooking. In the end, you’ll cut back on the number of dishes you have to clean after you eat, which makes washing dishes much more tolerable.
Share the chores
If you have a housemate and you cook for them, you can reasonably ask them to wash some or all of the dishes. When a roommate helps with cleaning, both of you will have an easier time not just enjoying the meal, but having each other’s backs.
Do you do something that makes washing dishes easier? Share your tips in the comments!
