If you stopped by for coffee this afternoon, I might draw you into engaging conversation . . . about that all-important topic of . . . washing dishes! I know, fascinating, right? I have found through the years that the everyday, mundane topics are often the best way to get to know someone. And there is always something I can learn. So, let’s get to know one another, learn from one another, shall we? Dishwashing? Really? Yes! I’ve washed a few in my time. I imagine you have to. Avoided washing dishes many a time. Please tell me I’m not the only one!
Washing dishes, how do you? In the dishwasher or by hand? For me, washing dishes is a chore. So my dishwasher is my favorite household appliance, my most favored household servant. I have actually employed raised eight dishwashers, the two-handed kind, but in our household once they reach the age of 4 or 5, the mechanical kind is favored.
Do you have a favorite detergent, or do you care? I have tried cheaper off-brands (I’m frugal that way) and I have made my own (I’m crazy that way) but I always come back to my good-old stand-by Cascade with Lemon (I’m loyal that way).
What about a rinse agent? Is it really worth the extra money and trouble? I say yes. I have noticed that glass dries with significantly fewer water spots and streaking and greasy dishes and utensils come out without a film when I use a rinse agent. I have not noticed much of a difference between brands so I go with the less expensive or let my coupons do the talking or change it up just for the fun of it. I did try straight vinegar for a while – cheaper, healthier, more natural – but it began eating away at the rubber seal around the door. Not a good thing. I stopped.
Do you rinse before loading? I know people who put perfectly clean dishes into the dishwasher because they’ve rinsed their dirty dishes so thoroughly they might as well dry and put away! I mean, does rinsing really require hot soapy water? In my book, a quick rinse may be necessary to wash away large particles of remaining food, but isn’t the idea to let the machine do the work? I once heard Martha Stewart say our modern dishwashers are built to clean away the gook and grime from our dishes, no rinsing necessary. If it’s good enough for Martha, it’s good enough for me!
How do you load your dishwasher, anyway? Are you of the ‘tines up’ philosophy or the tines down?’ Our household rule is flatware gets loaded pointing up, giving the stream of water more opportunity to do its job. I understand why some choose to place them pointing down, so that they can grab the handle for putting away and not the clean put-in-your-mouth end, but so much food gets trapped in the utensil basket (remember, I don’t much rinsing). Do you place same with same? I don’t for utensils – spoons tend to nest together. I do for cereal bowls, juice glasses, dinner plates. It’s more efficient.
What do you NOT allow in the dishwasher? Me? Sharp knives (it dulls them) anything with wood (it dries them) my good stainless pots and pans (just because, I don’t know why) and larger items like mixing bowls (it blocks the water spray). So that does leave me with some handwashing.
Speaking of handwashing – maybe you are from the camp of those who enjoy washing dishes! Tell me about it! You just might convert me! Or maybe you don’t have a choice. You may not have a machine, or the space for it. Tell me how you cope.
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Great thoughts here.
I’m strictly a “handles-up” person with knives & other pointy cutlery – here’s why
My uncle was a industrial safety expert. One day he was visiting my widowed Mother, and he watched her climb on a stool to put a dish away in a high cupboard above the dishwasher. He said, “Do you realize that if you fell right now, you’d be impaled on the knives in your silverware basket, and your children might end up without any parents?”
Mom never put the knives blade up again – nor did she allow us to do so. If someone falls near the basket, the risk is too great.
Oh, my, Anna! what a thought! There is some very good sense in that advice. Since I’m not likely to change my ways at this late stage of the game, I’ll be sure we unload utensils first!
I tell a very similar story to my children when I find them running with a pencil in their hand. I was told of someone who put their eye out because they were carrying a pencil point up, tripped, and well, you get the picture.
I’m so glad you stopped by today to read my wandering thoughts – I hope you’ll visit often – have a save and blessed day!
Well, well… What a great read!
My answer to that: I don’t have a choice ( laughing).
I do have a dishwasher, but I use it about twice a month. I love clean plates, so I hand washed my dirty dishes ( sorry Mrs. Stewart… Lol).
I trust my own hands…
Trusting your own hands is not a bad thing 😉 When you want something done right, do it yourself, eh? I’m so glad you enjoyed reading along today!
It’s impossible to use a dishwasher here, so it’s all by hand. And I do not enjoy it, even a bit. Luckily I have a lady that comes to help me at home. So, she washes the lunch dishes but the rest is all us (me and my son).
I do dream about being able to use a dishwasher.
What a blessing the you have help, Joanna. I know I have access to luxuries that many do not. I do know that when we have to wash every dish by hand, we are willing to get along with a lot less! Have a beautifully blessed day 🙂
Nice Post! Very cute. Now that my husband is retired and at home all the time, I only do about half of the dishes. We have a dishwasher, but like you no wood, no sharp knives and no cast iron go in. Also many of my large pots, crock pots and such don;t fit inside anyway.Even though there are only three of us, we generate a ton of dished because I do so much from scratch cooking.
My husband and I are total opposites about loading the dishwasher. He has a specific stacking method and loads very well rinsed just about clean dishes into the dishwasher. I throw them in any which way just to get it done. And much to his dismay, no matter who loads the dishwasher the dished come out clean.
Rinse aid yes. And my favorite dish washing liquid? Your going to have to wait to find out. Because I am working up a post about my search for the best toxin free dish soap. I finally found one!
Isn’t it wonderful to have someone to share the load, Amanda? We make a lot of dirty dishes here – with a small crowd living here 24/7 they pile up quickly. Oh, yes, I want to know! What IS your favorite dish soap!?! I’m on the hunt as well, but that is one of the items I’m not sure I’ll find a decent substitute for. I considered addressing it in this post and decided it might be too much. I’ll look forward to your input 🙂
Interesting post. We have a broken dishwasher with no funds to fix/replace it for the foreseeable future. So it is back to hand washing for me for about 4 years now. I do not enjoy it but it is nice to see an empty sink when I am all done. My 4 year old has asked to help…I just need to get a stool for him to use and then maybe he can take over washing some for me. 🙂
Get that boy a stool! 🙂 What a blessing that he is asking to help. It’s the perfect time to give him opportunity to serve and learn some life-skills.
I have found myself recently wondering how I would survive without my dishwasher, and like you, the empty sink when they are all washed up really is a motivator. That is what has been pushing me to get to those dishes before the day is done.
Thank you for stopping by today – happy dish-washing!
I have raised a couple of dishwashers myself, and to be honest, they all have a different way of doing it. Which I don’t mind because the rule in my house is she/he who cooks does not wash up, so I am very happy to let them have their way.
I like that rule, Maria!