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DISHING ABOUT DISHWASHING

I shall wash, and you shall dry;
We're both in this together.
And we will find, dear, by and by,
That we're birds of a feather.

I'll fill the sink; you wipe each plate;
We'll partner with a smile.
If we can just cooperate,
We'll finish in a while.

Did you toss that towel at me?
Shall I throw suds here too?
You missed me! Ha! Hey, can it be?
I'll mop the floor with you!

Even in our techno-modern age, some of us do like to wash dishes by hand.

There's just something soothing about plunging your hands into a sinkful of warm sudsy water. It's almost like a mini-bath, relaxing and peaceful, especially after preparing and serving a big meal.

This also presents an excellent opportunity for one-on-one time with another person, if you ask someone to dry for you. (A special friend, a treasured guest, or a future son- or daughter-in-law is an excellent choice. You can learn a good deal about one another as you work side-by-side at the sink.)

Hand-washing does not produce the high heat levels of an automatic dishwasher, so items must be cleaned particularly well for sterilization.

HOW TO WASH DISHES BY HAND

The Washer:
Scrape excess food off all plates and dishes. Rinse them well.

Clean the sink with an antibacterial cleanser.

Fill the sink (or a plastic washtub) with soapy water (as hot as you can comfortably stand).

Place a few dishes at a time in the sink, fully submerging them. (Overcrowding the sink will diminish cleaning effectiveness.)

Use a clean sponge or soft scouring pad to wash each dish.

Rinse each item well in very warm (or hot) water before placing it in a clean dish-rack.

The Dryer:
Using a very clean soft towel or rag, wipe each item thoroughly.

It is the dryer's job to clean any items the washer may have missed.

If the towel becomes too damp to be effective, take another dry one.

Stack plates, bowls, and other dishes neatly.

Put all clean items away.

Dry off kitchen counters and sink before depositing towels in laundry.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
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