No dishwasher? No problem
One of the most efficient and suitable way of washing dishes is the use of dishwashers. Yes, dishwashers are pretty good and luxury to have. But, does this mean dishes should remain in sinks for weeks unattended if your dishwasher has developed technical issues or if you lack one? Absolutely NO, there’s always an alternative- washing them by hand.
How old generations used to live without dishwashers?
Washing dishes was not a big deal in the old days. It was simply done on a table in the kitchen. A bucket or a wash basin was filled with water and cake soap was dipped in hot dish water. It was then shaken to make suds. The dishes were scrubbed with a cloth and stacked in a dish pan after rinsing. Then hot water would be poured over them and left outside for air drying.
How most of the 3rd world nations still live without dishwashers
In the current world of advancing technology, it can be hard to believe that not all and sundry has a dishwasher. In fact roughly 25% of Indian households lack them. So, what do they do? The obvious; they use their hands. Yes, it is possible to safely and effectively wash your dishes by hand. However, as easy as it may seem to be to clean the dishes, it pays how to do it in the right way. You’re wondering how? Don’t fret; you’re in the right place. Follow the step by step guide below and your dishes will be sparklingly clean;
- Prepare the sink/ wash pan
Clean the sink by scrubbing it using an old sponge and a little liquid soap. Once the sink is clean, use its original plug to plug it. Take all the dirty dishes and place them beside the wash pan/ sink. Then fill the sink with clean hot water and add a little liquid soap. Dawn or sunlight soap will serve you best here.
- Soak the dishes
Do you know soaking does half the job for you? I think you should know. Soaking your dishes prior washing saves your harms from wearing out- Yes; you use minimal effort when scrubbing them out after soaking. It loosens the gravy and food bits, making your work simplified. How long should the soaking process take? 10-15 minutes before scrubbing would do the trick. But for the baked-on messes, it is advisable to soak them overnight.
- Wash
Start with the least dirty dishes like glasses, flatware and cups and then to the oily or dirty ones. This way, you’ll prevent the sink from getting too greasy too soon. Scrub them clean under the soapy water. Washing them while submerged in water, makes it faster and easier to get cleaned. Check for any missed spot by pulling the dish out of the water. If the water gets too dirty, replace it immediately with clean hot water. Ensure that you keep the washed dishes aside to avoid cleaning them twice.
- Rinse
Unlike dishwashers where you’ve to rewash the dishes, in hand washing you don’t have to worry about it. You just need to rinse them with running water or pass the dishes under a spray or stream of hot water and then you’re done. Always use both hands when rinsing. One hand should hold the dish while the other washes off the remaining soap spots.
You can then dry them by either leaving them on the dish rack to air dry or wipe them dry with the kitchen cloth. However, air drying is the most recommended since kitchen towel might harbor some germs
- Sanitize the sink
Now that your dishes are sparklingly clean, wash and sanitize the sink to ease the following days job.
Besides, sinks if not well cleaned, can be a breeding ground of bacteria. To prevent the spread of bacteria, sanitize it by washing with water and bleach solution. Don’t forget to clean and sanitize the drain plug too.
The cost of a dishwasher vs. time needed for hand washing
If you trying to compare the cost of a dishwasher and the time needed in hand washing to make the right choice, this one can be tricky for you. It will entirely depend on your dish washing habit. However, if you only run your dishwasher once it’s fully loaded with dishes, it will not only cost you less time, but also less energy than hand-washing.
A new dishwasher cost from $200 to $1700. The price might be too high than your budget, but if you compare the time and energy saving potential, you would opt for a dishwasher.
Is washing dishes with a dishwasher 100% safe?
Dishwashing has a lot of benefits including saving energy and time, and also convenience. But like any other appliances, it has some limitations; If you don’t load your dishwasher properly, the dishwasher will not only not get clean, but will also damage them.
How washing dishes by hands improve your health
According to Florida State University study, washing dishes by hand has therapeutic benefits especially in reducing emotional tension. Yes, washing dishes by hand and doing it so mindfully, can encourage your state of mindfulness, which improves well-being, strong immunes and also reduced levels of stress. So next time when washing them, do it mindfully and gladly it might be an affordable and convenient form of therapy.