How to Clean Dirty Dishes

 There are few culinary tasks that are less enjoyable than dishwashing. It can be tedious, a little gross, and even challenging! That is why we produced this colossal list exclusively for you. Continue reading for a variety of hacks (you can dry glasses with chopsticks! ), advice (vinegar is more beneficial than you realize), and more. We'll explain how to clean the most vexing messes, how to make the process more enjoyable, and provide several helpful hints. We guarantee that once you've read through this list, you'll realize that the duty isn't quite as bad as it appears.

1. Experiment with the "one soapy sponge" policy.

Have a mountain of dishes that you simply cannot bring yourself to tackle? Consider it as a series of smaller jobs. Rather to that, adopt the "one soapy sponge" strategy and wash all the dishes you can without reloading your sponge. When it's time for another squirt of soap, you can set the sponge down and carry on with your work.

2. Convert mesh produce bags into homemade scouring pads for pots and pans.

Are you familiar with the mesh produce bags that come with a dozen lemons? Or a large quantity of potatoes? However, do not discard them! Rather than that, stuff an old sponge into the bag and fasten it with a zip tie. Clip the ends. You now have a homemade pot scrubber.

3. Use chopsticks to assist in drying glasses.

If your dish drainer is at capacity, spread out a cloth and arrange some chopsticks parallel to one another. (You're well aware that you've amassed a sizable collection of them from all your takeout orders!) Along the chopsticks, place upside-down glasses to allow water to trickle out and air to circulate around them.

4. Keep a bowl of soapy water close to the sink.

Fill a bowl halfway with warm soapy water and set it aside. For a dinner party, a few days, or perhaps a few weeks! Simply place dirty flatware into the bowl as you bring it into the kitchen. This prevents utensils from becoming tangled in the bottom of the sink and pre-rinses the pieces for easier cleaning.

5. Put an end to the washing.

Simply because you used something does not necessitate its washing. Perhaps you used a measuring cup to portion out the walnuts? Or a teaspoon for dispensing salt? Allow yourself a break and just rinse the instrument before transferring it to the drying rack. Obviously, do not skip the washing if anything has come into contact with raw meat, oil, or eggs. Additionally, begin with fewer dishes. If you've been using a cup for water throughout the day, you can also use it for iced tea.

6. Stock up on your favorite sponges.

Isn't it true that a carpenter is only as good as his tools? Therefore, get a collection of sponges that perform well for you. No, additional! Because you really should be discarding your sponges rather frequently. (While you're at it, pick up some dish soap with a pleasant perfume that you enjoy. It may even motivate you to clean the dishes.)

7. Always wear gloves.

Yes, we could discuss how dish gloves can help you save your manicure and maintain silky smooth hands. However, the most compelling reason to wear dish gloves is that you will be able to tolerate additional hot water, which will aid in loosening stuck-on gunk and sludge. Additionally, they'll assist you in gaining a firmer hold on anything.

8. Invest on a decent dish rack.

It is critical that you have a nice spot to keep the dishes while they are being washed. A neatly folded tea towel is unlikely to suffice. Invest in a high-quality dish rack. Perhaps one of the following?

9. Additionally, utilize your dishwasher as an overflow.

If you're doing a lot of hand cleaning (and your dishwasher is clean/empty), you can utilize the racks to keep dishes while they dry. Because even the best countertop dish rack cannot accommodate the amount of dirty pots, pans, glasses, and baking sheets (among other items!) that accumulate during a dinner party.

10. Delegate some of the task to your cooktop.

As a result, you stepped away from your Dutch oven to cook some onions. Whoops! Now you're left with a really difficult-to-scrub mess and lack the elbow grease necessary to buff it out. Persuade your stove to do it! Reintroduce your enameled cast iron pot to the burner with some water and baking soda, and it will almost self-clean.

11. Embrace the lemon's strength.

Cut a lemon in half and you've created a super-effective "sponge." Lemon halves are excellent for cleaning chopping boards, rusty knives, and even gritty cheese graters.

12. Additionally, potatoes.

Assume a friend "aided" you in cleaning up after dinner and wet your cast iron pan. It is now rusted. What are your options? To begin, unfriend that acquaintance. (Joking.) Then procure a potato. Sliced the potato in half and massage the cut end over the rusty area with dish soap or baking soda. If the potato's end becomes slick, chop it off and dip the newly cut end. Rep until all rust has been gone!

13. Purchase the following items that will work as you sleep.

Although these tablets are designed for water bottles and other drinking containers, one of our authors discovered that they work great on stuck-on food in pots and pans. She allows them to work their magic overnight, and in the morning, she has a lot simpler job cleaning pots.

14. Alternatively, try dryer sheets.

Your laundry room may hold the answer to repairing a burnt pot. Soak one in hot water to dislodge charred messes. Then, wash the pot normally (with soap and water), as dryer sheets contain chemicals.

15. Purchase a dish brush.

Our managing editor, Lauren Kodiak, swears by these 50-cent ANTAGEN Dish Brushes. She uses them to scrub food off unclean plates before washing them, as well as to clean the sink when it appears to be filthy. “I really appreciate the long handle because it keeps my hand out of the mess,” she explains.

16. And a strainer for the sink.

Regardless of how well you scrape your dishes, you will always have food in the sink. And you certainly do not want it to be wasted. The OXO Sink Strainer is the best strainer we've found because it captures particles of all sizes and cleans up quickly when the silicone half is removed and placed over the trash can.

17. Play some music or listen to a podcast.

Put on your favorite Pandora station or podcast to spice things up a bit.

18. Enlist the assistance of your partner!

Dishwashing does not have to be a one-person task!

19. Use aluminum foil to clean your silver.

You're unlikely to use your fine silver very frequently, which means it's likely to be tarnished by the time you pull it out again (read: Thanksgiving). Take a glass baking dish lined with aluminum foil or an aluminum baking dish, and combine it with baking soda, salt, and boiling water. The chemical reaction will quickly begin removing the tarnish, however extremely tarnished pieces may require additional soak time.

20. Sort your dishes according to their type.

Do all of the knives first (to keep them out of the way and to avoid injuring yourself! Then all the wine glasses, flatware, and plates, and so forth. This way, you'll be able to work more quickly and organize your dish rack more easily.