When I do have something that requires soaking I’ve found that sprinkling in a little powdered dishwasher detergent, as opposed to liquid soap, makes a tremendous difference. The enzymes in the dishwasher detergent, if left for even just an hour, make it much easier to hand wash stubborn items. I keep some detergent in a shaker by the sink just for this purpose.
Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
31–40 of 101 posts
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#32There're too many people washing their dishes right after using them in this thread.
What to do if you're not one of them?
I created my personal ritual: all the dishes land in the sink during the day, and right before going to sleep I turn on an audio book and spend the next ~20 mins calmly doing my home stuff. Loading the dishwasher (and unloading yesterday's portion), preparing food containers for pets, etc. Everything that's quiet enough not to wake up everyone in the house.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#33I handwash all dishes and can go through maybe 50+ in about 5 minutes. My approach is very efficient. * First, get every dish wet (so that the food will rinse off easier), just a quick splash of water the surface of every dish. * Then, soap your sponge and begin cleaning. Stack all dishes off to the side sensibly (plates on bottom, bowls on top, silverware atop that). Don't put your sponge down to rinse off anything.…
My method is almost the same. Dishwashers are a scam.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#34Load the dirty dishes and pans into the dishwasher as soon as finished using them. Turn the dishwasher on before going to bed. Take out the clean dishes first thing in the morning. This is a pretty standard algorithm, I suppose. What is somewhat unusual, I guess, is that, occasionally, I use the dishwasher to wash small appliances like a rice cooker, an electric kettle, or a water filter pitcher. It probably shortens…
I attempt something similar. I always end up with extra dishes in the sink, so I finish loading them in the evening and run it before bed. I also wash rice cookers and stuff like that. It definitely shortens the lifespan, but I also agree that it's worth the time saved.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#35Use as few dishes as possible. Wash them same day. No need to "disrupt" the 1000-year old process, because it just works.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#36I put everything into the dishwasher, press the button, and it washes.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#37Make the kids do the dishes every night.
We do them during the day.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#38I handwash all dishes and can go through maybe 50+ in about 5 minutes. My approach is very efficient. * First, get every dish wet (so that the food will rinse off easier), just a quick splash of water the surface of every dish. * Then, soap your sponge and begin cleaning. Stack all dishes off to the side sensibly (plates on bottom, bowls on top, silverware atop that). Don't put your sponge down to rinse off anything.…
I know that hand washing is water-inefficient, compared to modern machines, but I find it a very satisfying activity. When I was working from home I found it a great activity to use as a break from work.
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#39I handwash all dishes and can go through maybe 50+ in about 5 minutes. My approach is very efficient. * First, get every dish wet (so that the food will rinse off easier), just a quick splash of water the surface of every dish. * Then, soap your sponge and begin cleaning. Stack all dishes off to the side sensibly (plates on bottom, bowls on top, silverware atop that). Don't put your sponge down to rinse off anything.…
I know that hand washing is water-inefficient, compared to modern machines, but I find it a very satisfying activity. When I was working from home I found it a great activity to use as a break from work.
Yes, I also use very little water! Only the rinsing part at the end, which maybe takes 2 to 3 minutes on low (much of the water is reused).
Re: Ask HN: What is your system for dirty dishes?
#40This is not what my actual system is but its the best one i've heard of, its very much a super lazy, throw money at the problem kind of solution.
Have 2 dishwashers. Make sure all the dishes and cutlery you own fits in them. Fill one dishwasher with the dirty dishes, turn it on and onces its done, just leave the clean dishes in there, thats where they live now, thats the storage solution for them. As you use the clean dishes, load them into the other dishwasher until done, repeat the cycle.
This does scream like a solution from a single guy with too much money, but honestly, i'd do it if my kitchen wasn't tiny.