As discussed in the previous post, there are advantages and disadvantages to handwashing dishes and using the dishwasher. In some instances, the dishwasher may be more efficient than handwashing. The converse is true of in other cases. Regardless of the method, efficiently is certainly impacted by how well each task is performed. It may seem like the processes are self-explanatory , and for the most part they are, but there are a few details that might be useful still.
Handwashing:
- Scrap off or rinse food particles prior to adding the dishes to the dishwater to keep the water as clean as possible.
- Maintain water as hot as your hands can handle. Water temperature will begin to significantly cool down after only 10-15 minutes, and water will need to be added to or replaced.
- Follow the following washing order: glasses, silverware, dishware, cookware. This allows the items with the most germs to be washed first in the hottest water.
Dishwasher:
- Plastics should always be placed securely on the top rack. Trust me, burnt plastic produces quite the stench.
- Use caution when washing fragile glass. Cleaning broken pieces of glass out of the dishwasher would not be ideal for you or the machine.
- Group like items together to increase loading capacity, but be careful to allow adequate space in between them so that they will not nest together. Silverware should similarly be loaded in a manner which would prevent nesting by either varying the contents of each compartment (ie not placing all of one utensil type together) or varying the direction of the utensils (ie some facing up and some down).
- Pots and pans clean best when laying flat or nearly flat. Placing another dish within the space of a pot or pan can occlude the water from properly reaching all surfaces.
- Always run the dishwasher with a full load (but not overloaded!).
- Depending on the machine, it may be helpful to pre-rinse the dishes. If the dishes might sit a bit before a full load is achieved, then pre-rinsing is very helpful in preventing food from hardening onto the surface of the dish which is difficult for the dishwasher to remove.
Additional Reading:
Home Economics: Vintage Advice and Practical Science for the 21st-Century Household compiled by Jennifer McKnight Trontz 
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**Note: The product listed above contains an affiliate link to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the link.
***Note: The product listed above contains an affiliate link to Amazon.com. Reviving Homemaking is an affiliate of Amazon.com, and as such receives compensation for each purchase made through the link.
Linked up at: A Mama's Story, The Alabaster Jar, The Modest Mom Blog, The Better Mom, Far Above Rubies, Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife
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Thanks for the tips on washing glasses, silverware, dishes and cookware! Who knew? I also think my glasses would look more sparkling clean if I didn't clean them after greasy cookware... Why didn't I think of that? :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked both posts, Whitney. I've been following your blog for a year+ but haven't ever commented before. :) I bake and cook everything from scratch, so I do a lot of dishes, even though it is just my husband and I eating the food. It is a good reminder to wash things in a certain order so the hot water can get rid of germs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your life on this blog. I've learned a lot!
I am way to lazy to handwash my dishes. Plus it makes my hands crack and bleed. But the main thing I hate is DRYING dishes, so I am happy I have been blessed with a dishwasher :)
ReplyDeleteMy hands struggle to stay moisturized, especially in the winter. I've learned to keep a bottle of lotion beside the handsoap on top of my sink. I don't towel dry my dishes. I lay out a towel on the counter and lay the dishes out to air dry. It works! haha :)
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