Doing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen isn’t the most interesting activity to do, and can feel unpleasant for most people. However, there are many ways you can make it a less daunting kitchen chore.
Key takeaways
No one wants to clean the kitchen and wash the dishes, it all sounds boring and even lonely. But it doesn’t have to be, you can change the game and turn it into a me-time session.
So how do you do the dishes?
1 . Make it a game
Doing the dishes or even most things in life is all about your mindset, the way you view the things you do. In most cases, people want to participate in a game, because games can be fun. So, if you make washing dishes a game you’re about to play, it’ll change how you view it. And when your view of washing dishes changes, it becomes more interesting and less annoying. There is another alternative to this method, you can also view it as some quiet time and find a bit of pleasure in it.
You might think it isn’t work, but when you do this regularly you will notice a change in your attitude towards washing dishes.
2 . Lower the number of dishes you have to wash
Set aside what to put in the dishwasher and what you will have to wash by hand. However, it is important to note what to put into your dishwasher and what not to put in it. Avoid items like wood, certain pots and pans, sharp knives, nonstick pots and pans, crystal, and china, in your dishwasher.
3 . The small bowl technique
This style is going to help you save water and make cleaning the dishes much quicker. What you’re going to do is fill a small bowl with soap and water. Put a washcloth or a sponge in the water and use it for cleaning. You can cut down water consumption even more by rinsing the plates in a sink that has been previously filled with water.
Just make sure your sink is well cleaned, as you wouldn’t want to rinse in water that has been affected by the dirt in your sink.
4 . Use a large pot and not the sink
Instead of rinsing the dishes constantly opening the tap to clean each plate. Put the pot inside the sink and fetch some water in it, then you take a small cup to scoop some water and use it for rinsing. This is going to save water and help you clean faster.
Another alternative some people use is to rinse the dishes in the pot of water, that is by dipping the plates into the pot of water to rinse. Therefore, you could rinse 5 plates at once, but this can cost you the use of more water because you will have to change the water in the pot a few times. However, this method will save you lots of time and energy.
That said, a lot of people find the second option less appealing because they believe that one plate in that pot of water will make the water useless for washing the other plates.
5 . Put some music on
If you haven’t been vibing to some music while doing the dishes, you might want to start now. All you need is your playlist or whatever songs you listen to and play on your speakers, headphones, or whatever you want. This will lighten up your mood and make cleaning them more enjoyable, and before you know it you’re all done.
What’s’more you could even break out a move or two, just don’t get carried away!
6 . Focus on the hard parts
If there are pots or pans with burnt food, always presoak them. This method will help you save time and energy that would otherwise be wasted on scrubbing. In a case where you forgot to presoak, you can use the vessel with burnt food for washing. This will also help you with the presoak process, and make it easier for you to clean. But if the dishes aren’t a lot, you will have to leave them soaked because that time frame wouldn’t be ideal.
7 . Buy good cleaning supplies
Another to make washing the dishes less annoying is to buy cleaning products that make doing the washing process easier. You can start by picking a nice rug to step on while washing at the sink, to prevent any aches afterwards. And sometimes it feels good nice to stand on something soft. Buying a stainless steel scrubber, natural soap, and a tough washcloth are great additions to your cleaning routine. Also protect your hands by putting on gloves, as well as baking soda to clean your sink from time to time. If you want something that can disinfect, you can also go for vinegar. A nice and clean sink will make the washing more enjoyable.
8 . Get some company
Having company in the kitchen can be helpful. It can be an audiobook or a podcast you’ve been listening to. Or you could ask someone to keep you company, and you guys can catch up on events you’ve had. It could be you with your partner, siblings, children, friends, or whoever is at home with you.
9 . Arrange the dishes and cleaning items
Planning can be a great way to make cleaning easier and more efficient. Firstly make sure you have a bowl of soap and water by the sink ready for use. Secondly, arrange the dishes when you’re done cooking with them, so they’re not all over the place when you’re ready to clean them.
These steps may be small but when the preparation part is done, it’ll help you feel more eager to clean because what’s left is the cleaning part.
Alternative 2
Get a bowl of soap and water waiting for you by the sink, in which you can put the utensils and when you’re done cooking with them. By doing this, it will prevent them from gathering at the bottom of the sink.
In addition, plan and empty the dishwasher before you start cooking. Do the same with the drying rack, so you can make space for the new dishes. This will save you so much time and energy, so make sure you don’t forget to do them.
The bottom line
Let’s be honest, doing the dishes can be a tad bit boring and no one connects having to do it with a fun experience. Most people just see it as something that needs to be done, but you can do things differently. Having some company, planning, putting on some music, and buying the right cleaning products, will go a long way in making it easier.
FAQs
Am I a lazy person for not liking to do the dishes?
If you don’t like doing the dishes, there’s nothing wrong with it, everyone has their preferred chore, and their least preferred chore. However, we must learn to clean up after ourselves, so if you use the dishes you have to wash them. Also, if you live with your parents, you would have to do them if they’re assigned to you. But you can appeal to your parents to give you something else to be responsible for, maybe the dusting, and cleaning or something else you’d rather do.
How can I make my children enjoy doing the dishes?
If adults can dislike doing the dishes, imagine for kids. However, there is a way to change their attitude towards it. You can offer small rewards for when they do them, but it doesn’t have to be every time because it can become a problem later on. Have them join you when you’re washing dishes, but don’t make it seem like it’s something they must learn. Instead, make it appealing by telling them it’s an opportunity to spend quality time together as a family. Also, have them engage in the cleaning as well by making them do small tasks, so they become familiar with it. Additionally, you can ask them to wash the dishes together, so it feels like teamwork.
