by Kimberly Smith

Created on: May 26, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2009

I can't think of too many people who would say that doing dishes is their favorite task. Dishwashers have aided those who simple hate the idea of having to hand wash each and every dish after a meal. I have a dishwasher, but on occasion prefer to hand wash many items because, the dishwasher doesn't do the job sometimes. Also, if I only have a small amount of dishes there is no need in wasting all that power and water for a small load. There are some important things you must keep in mind when hand washing dishes.

You will want to do them as soon as possible. This makes it easier to clean the dishes and saves time soaking dishes that have sat around too long and have become coated with stuck on greasy messes that take forever to get off.

Soak items that have the toughest stains and stuck on food particles. You can fill them with very hot water and just a touch of detergent and set them aside for last.

There should be a system to hand washing that allows you to get the most out of your detergent, space, and time. I have double sinks, so washing and rinsing are not a problem for me. If you have only one sink, you will want to only filled the sink half way or less with very hot water and detergent. This will leave room for the water that will be added when you begin rinsing the washed dishes.

Take your dishes and remove as much of the food particles as possible. You can pre-wash so to speak with hot water and a scouring pad, just enough to remove stuck on food items. I work for right to left in my kitchen, with the dirty dishes to my right, washing sink, then rinsing sink, then dish drainer to the far left. It may be the opposite for you, just make sure you have a system that flows so the work will go faster.

Sort the dishes as you scrap and pre-wash them. Place glasses first, then stack plates and bowl into one another. If you have a large bowl or casserole dish place all the silverware in that. Put pots and pan to the end of the line, as well as any item that require soaking.

Fill your washing sink with water as hot as you can stand to put your hands in. Many people do dishes with gloves; this is fine, I personally do not use gloves because I like to feel along the plates, glasses and silverware for anything that could be left behind that you can't see.

Selecting a detergent is going to depend on you. Once you have tried a few you will find the one that you prefer and that does the best job for you. I use a dishcloth and a scouring pad to do my dishes.

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