Save Water While Washing Dishes

Follow These Tips For Efficient Dish-Washing

Nov 1, 2009 Frances Suselo

Those dirty dishes won't clean themselves. If someone has to wash them, make sure it's someone who won't waste precious water and increase the water bill.

Washing dishes is not high on many people's list of pleasurable activities. It is tedious, messy and actually increases the water bill. Many have gone as far as relegating this chore to a machine (a dishwasher). Fortunately, there are ways to make the chore more manageable as well as economical.

Hands Versus Machine

First of all, washing dishes by hand should be the way to go. In this era of increased laziness, washing dishes by hand provides some sort of physical activity and a chance for the mind to concentrate on something else beside what is on the television. Believe it or not, there are people who find the activity actually relaxing because it gives them a chance to let their minds wander. An added benefit is the act of lifting, soaping and rinsing those dirty dishes; they do burn some calories!

Second, washing dishes manually uses less water and electricity. This will translate to lower water and electricity bills, which will be welcomed by everyone.

Those who whine that dish detergent wreaks havoc on their hands and manicures can wear rubber gloves. The rubber gloves also provide added traction so that wet crockery will not slip and break.

Wash Dishes in Groups

Many feel overwhelmed by the sight of dirty plates, pots, pans, glasses and utensils all piled up in the kitchen sink. This negative feeling usually leads to dread and laziness. However, having a plan and breaking down the dirty items into groups will make the task more manageable and efficient.

How does one decide which items to wash first?

The answer is easy: start with those cleanest, and gradually tackle dirtier items next. Leave the most challenging ones last, so there will be more space in the sink to maneuver.

Washing Dishes Made Easy

Follow these steps to break down the chore of washing dishes. Remember not to let the water run when soaping dishes:

1. Liquid holders and utensils: they are the cleanest among the dirty, so soap and rinse them all first. This group refers to glasses, wine glasses, mugs, knives, forks and spoons. Saucers and place mats can also be included in this group, since they usually do not get too dirty.
2. Plates and bowls: next, soap and rinse bigger and dirtier items. This group includes any dish that held food, including each individual diner's plate, soup bowls, salad bowls and the like.
3. Bigger items requiring more elbow grease: this group includes pots and pans used for cooking. They are usually cruddy and thus need extra scrubbing. By this time, all the other items have been washed already, so there is more space in the sink to do the said scrubbing. This also means that all the goo and oil from these dirtiest items will not soil the others again, since they are already cleaned and perched somewhere else.

Do not forget to wash and clean the sink afterwards. This will prevent cockroaches from making an appearance in the kitchen.

The copyright of the article Save Water While Washing Dishes in Green/Simple Living is owned by Frances Suselo. Permission to republish Save Water While Washing Dishes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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