Not all homes are blessed with a dishwasher, but even among the ones that are, a dishwasher is often one of the least-used appliances in the home.

Of course, not every household is prepared to invest in a brand new appliance. There is an art and a science to how you wash dishes by hand. Check out the guide below for more tips.

Preparing to Wash Dishes By Hand

To wash dishes by hand, first, ensure the sink is clean. Vinegar is a cheap and effective sanitizing agent. A sponge can be sanitized by boiling or microwaving it.

Next, you need to gather some supplies. These include warm water, a scouring brush, rubber gloves, a sponge, a long-handled brush, and a drying rack. The dish soap should be antibacterial, like Joy soap.

Clear Food Particles

Before filling up the sink, clear all plates of large food particles by scraping them into the trash or garbage disposal. Then, rinse all the dishes. We want to minimize how dirty the soapy water will get.

Fill the Sink with Water

If the sink is clean, plug it and fill it up to about two-thirds capacity. One part soap to twenty parts water is the golden ratio. Try to let dishes get at least 30 seconds of soaking in before working on them.

Leave Dirty Things to Soak

As you wash dishes by hand, make sure to keep four to six plates in the water soaking. These will be washed after the smaller items, but soaking in the soapy water will make them easier to clean.

Begin with Less Dirty Dishes

Small ticket items like cutlery and glasses come first. These won’t dirty the water as fast as the bigger pots and pans.

After placing four to six plates in the soapy water, put all the glasses and cutlery in there with them. Give these dishes thirty seconds to one minute before starting in on them.

As you finish washing each dish, run it under hot water from the tap to rinse. It saves water to turn the tap on and off rather than to keep it running.

Scrub Big Dishes Last

Big dishes, like pot and pans, will soil the soapy water quickly. Save these items for last, letting them get the maximum amount of soaking time. Consider refilling the soapy water if it is too dirty.

Leave Them to Air Dry

Air drying is actually much more sanitary than using a dishtowel. However, it may be wise to dry pots and pans with a clean dishtowel immediately to prolong their lifespan.

Dishwasher vs. By Hand

There are many people who wash dishes by hand as a form of therapy. It’s a familiar routine that can be a time for reflection. However, energy-efficient models of dishwashers are everywhere now, so it may be an investment to think about in the future.

For more useful home and culinary guides like this one, make sure to check out the rest of our website.