Handwashing the Dishes and Mealtime Cleanup

By Melissa Ringstaff, Director
Whether or not you own a dishwasher, knowing how to properly wash dishes by hand is something everyone should be familiar with. Often I have found that handwashing the dishes is much more efficient that rinsing the dishes before loading the dishwasher. Handwashing dishes after an average meal should take about 15 minutes or for a larger meal 30 to 45 minutes. This task is easily done immediately and harder to do after dishes have been allowed to sit unattended for a period of time.

First, wash any dishes you use in your meal preparation as you use them. You can then allow them to air dry as you eat the meal or dry them immediately and put away. Soak any hard to clean pots or casseroles in hot sudsy water while you are eating to help with clean-up afterward.

Once your meal is completely finished, clearing the table is your first priority. Place leftover foods into refrigerator boxes, plastic containers with lids or cover casseroles with plastic wrap and place into refrigerator. Leaving foods uncovered causes unpleasant odors to form in the fridge that will affect the flavors of other foods.

Stack like dishes together and place on either the left or right of the sink opposite of your drying area. Using a clean cloth, wipe down the table, removing all crumbs and debris as you go. If you have used a tablecloth that has been soiled use a clean small hand brush to sweep crumbs into the trash. Fold the tablecloth and place in the laundry room for washing. Hard to remove spills should be treated immediately with a stain remover such as "Shout" or "Spray n' Wash".

Now you are ready to wash your dishes.

Mealtime Clean Up: Tools Needed:
1. Dish draining rack and mat
2. Clean dish towel
3. Rubber dishpan (keeps dishes from breaking)
4. Dish Cloth, Clean Sponge, or Dish Brush (for Cleaning the dishes)
5. Bottle Brush
6. Pot Scrubber
7. Rubber gloves if you prefer
8. Dish liquid soap

Mealtime Clean Up: The Order:
1. Clear Table
2. Brush off tablecloth and pre-treat spills with stain remover. Or wipe down table
3. Stack dishes next to sink
4. Begin Washing (Instructions below)
5. Glasses and Mugs
6. Flatware, Silverware
7. Plates, Bowls
8. Pots, Casseroles

Mealtime Clean Up: Handwashing the Dishes:
1. Begin by making sure your sink it clean. Empty the sink if needed. Squirt a small amount of your favorite cleaner into the sink and scrub with a clean sponge or cloth. Rinse the sink.
2. Place your drying rack on the right hand side of the sink with a drain mat or clean towel underneath.
3. Fill sink about ½ full with hot water adding liquid dish soap to the water while the sink is filling. The water should be as hot as your hands can stand. Be sure the soap has dissolved. Swish you hand in the water if needed. Use enough soap to eliminate grease in the water, but not so much that it does not rinse off your dishes easily. Note the manufacturer’s instructions if you are not sure.
4. Use a clean dishcloth or fresh sponge. For bottles and vases, you should use a good bottle brush.
5. Begin washing dishes that are least soiled first. Generally, this would be your drinking glasses, and flatware. Rinse each item and place in the drying rack, or on a clean towel.
6. Next wash plates and bowls. If your dishwater becomes too soiled, you should stop and refill the sink with fresh hot water and dish soap. If the water has become lukewarm, you’ll need to add more hot water or fresh water.
7. Finally, wash your serving dishes, pots, and pans. Changing the water as needed.
8. If dishes are rinsed in hot enough water, they should air dry almost immediately. Once you have washed everything, or as you run out of needed space in your drying rack, put dishes away in their respective places. Dry dishes with a fresh and clean drying cloth if water is still present. Drying your dishes by hand will also remove any streaks or spots left by the water.
9. Dishes should be put away as soon as you have finished washing. Your kitchen will look much more pleasing and orderly without stacks of dishes sitting on the counter.