When it comes to keeping a kitchen clean, dirty dishes is the most obvious mess. This system is tried and true. We have used this system for the last 9 years and it works for a home with one person and up (we have had up to 9 children living in our home.) This really helps out. I don’t mind putting the dishes in if they are stacked and rinsed. It is easy and it defiantly saves time.
Step 1 – Have everyone rinse off their own dishes and utensils, and set it on the counter by the dishwasher. This keeps leftover food from drying onto the surface of the dishes and the dishwasher will do a much better job.
Step 2 – To avoid putting dirty dishes in the cupboard we have a code to tell if the dishes are clean or dirty. If the container where you place you put the dish detergent is open then the dishes are clean. If the container is closed, then the closed then the dishes are dirty.
= dirty!
No one minds putting the dishes in the dish washer, if they are stacked and rinsed, even if 1 person does it, it is quick, easy and saves time.
Putting the dishes away after they are clean, is about a 5 minute job, but I put the dishes and plates on a lower level so smaller children can put them away and help set the table. We had many drinking cups because when we had 9 kids at home we needed them, now that we only have 2 children at home, I put away a dozen of the older cups and watched what happened for a month. No one has missed them so they are going in the garbage or the thrift store.
I put pans and big bowls in the dishwasher. Who cares if it takes 2 loads? The dishes are cleaner and my time is worth it. I have been raising children for 30 years and have many “tried and true” experiences that work. Don’t let yourself slack and leave them in the sink, and remind the rest of the family to do the same. One time I even wrote in the sink with permanent marker to not leave dishes in the sink. Some people are really stubborn and insist on leaving there peanut butter knife in the sink for someones else to clean. But if it is only one person you are a lucky one!
Yes, even when we have company, they rinse their own dish. No one has complained yet!
#iamahappygirl
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Love to hear from you. More tips to come!
Unless you have more than 6 people, I wouldn’t use the dishwasher. I take all my dishes and scrape them off. fill the sink with very hot soapy water and leave for about 15 minutes. All of the food should be off. Barely wipe and rinse You can dry or let dry naturally. You save electricity and preserve your dishwasher longer. The first thing you do is never think of it as a chore. Consider there are people who cannot do dishes who would love to do them. Someone who doesn’t hate dishwashing or has anyone help me, lol. Now toilets are another thing, let your husband do that, lol.