How to Wash Dishes the Right Way

How To Clean Dishes

1. Scrape Excess Food

   To avoid polluting your wash water, begin by scraping the dishes of excess food. Stack the dishes in preparation for washing.

2. Soak Stuck-on Food

   Set aside any dishes with stuck- on food. Run a little water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid to pre-soak items that need this treatment.

   Give the dishes 15 to 30 minutes to soak or just until the hot water has begun to cool down. You can also replace hot water in the sink as it cools.

   Tip

   Do not soak a dish that is made of aluminum. Doing so can darken the finish.

3. Run a Sink or Dishpan of Hot Water

   Place the stopper in the sink and run the water (as hot as possible, but not so hot that you are uncomfortable) until it is half full. Add dish soap to the water in the amount recommended on the instruction label.

   Be sure the other side of a double sink is clean and available for rinsing or prepare a dishpan of rinse water.

   Tip

   Wearing rubber cleaning gloves while hand washing dishes can allow you to wash with slightly hotter water.

4. Wash Lightly Soiled Items

   Start by washing lightly soiled items like glasses, cups, and flatware first. This allows them to soak a bit before washing. Wash one item at a time under the soapy water using a sponge or scrubber.

   Check for spots before transferring to the rinse basin. Wash knives one by one and place them carefully in the drying rack.

5. Wash Plates, Bowls, and Serving Dishes

   Wash plates, bowls, and serving dishes gently with your sponge or scrubber. Keep an eye out for when you should change the dishwashing water. Change it if it appears greasy or no suds are left.

6. Wash Pots, Pans, and Cookware

   Any cookware with tough food residue should have been soaking already. Wash the pans thoroughly.

7. Rinse the Dishes

   If you have a double sink, use the second side of the sink to rinse off the dishwashing suds from the dishes.

   If you don't have a double sink, you can use a dishpan filled with hot water to dip and rinse your dishes. You do not want any suds remaining.

8. Dry the Dishes

   If you've used hot water to rinse, the dishes will dry quickly on their own. In some instances, you may have to use a dishtowel.

   Make sure the towel is clean. Change the towel when it becomes damp. Use a lint-free cloth for drying silverware.

9. Put Away Dishes

   Put all of the dishes, utensils, and cookware away in your cabinets.

10. Wipe Down the Sink and Tools

    Wipe down the sink, dish drainer, and dishpan. Any rags, dishcloths, or sponges need to be left out to air dry or thrown into the washing machine.

How Often to Wash Dishes

If you use a dishwasher, you can get by with washing dishes every other day, as the dishwasher reaches temperatures hot enough to kill bacteria and mold, which you can't achieve when handwashing.

Wash dirty dishes at least daily if you are handwashing them. This will prevent food from becoming dried on and hard to wash off. As well, it prevents the growth of bacteria and fungus in the leftover food particles and keeps them from attracting insects and other pests.

You can choose to wash dishes and cookware after each meal or cooking session if you prefer.

Additional Dish Cleaning Tips

• Don't forget to clean the bottoms of pans. Any oily residue left will burn onto the bottom of the pan at the next cooking session, not only blackening the pan but also sending the residue into the air to soil kitchen surfaces and dishes.
• Replace the wash water when it becomes greasy or if the suds disappear. This will help ensure your dishes are clean and free of that residue.
• Don't soak your dishes for long at all or the hot water will become tepid and bacteria on the dishes will be allowed to grow and spread.
• Dry pots and pans with a paper towel to reduce residue from the pan staining the dishcloth and then depositing grime on your other clean dishes.
• Put clean dishes away as soon as they are dry. This keeps them from picking up dust, dirt, or grease.
• Replace sponges, scrubbers, and dishcloths frequently so you aren't washing with dirty tools.
  
• Try removing stains from cups with vinegar; you can also use a paste of baking soda, water and salt.