If you’ve recently moved into a home without a dishwasher and are wondering how you’re going to survive, you’re not alone. Roughly 25% of American households do not have a dishwasher. You don’t have to dread the task of hand washing dishes – we’ve got you covered.
How to Survive Without a Dishwasher
Minimize Dirty Dishes
Cut down on the amount of dishes you dirty throughout the day, especially when cooking and baking. Use one designated cup or water bottle throughout the day. Measure dry ingredients first and then reuse the same measuring tools for the wet ingredients. When all else fails, paper plates are always an option when you run out of energy; just be sure to recycle paper products.
Protect the Drain
Be smart about what you allow down your drain. Use a catcher/strainer to protect large debris from entering the drain. Also, never put fats, oil, or grease down the drain. Fats, oil, and grease, or FOG, can coat the inside of pipes, which will eventually form a blockage.
Make it a Priority
While it’s easy to put off doing the dishes until after you’ve had some time to relax after a meal, it’s best to get it out of the way immediately. You’ll thank yourself when you don’t have the pesky task lingering on your mental to do list. Plus, if you wait too long to do the dishes, any remaining food will start to crust to the dishes, making it harder to wash in the long run.
Invest in Drying Racks
Eliminate the time it would take to hand dry all your dishes by letting them air dry on their own. Dish racks next to the sink are perfect for dishes and utensils and allow the excess water to drip back into the sink. Hanging racks on the wall are perfect for large pots and pans. Plus, hanging pans will keep them organized and avoid cabinets from becoming cluttered and crowded.
Learn to Enjoy It
If you dread doing the dishes every day, it’s never going to be enjoyable. Accept that it’s a part of your daily routine and make it fun. Think of it as a little “me time.” Play music. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show. Listen to a podcast or book on tape. Think about your to do list for the next day. Do the dishes with someone else and spend the time together chatting about what you did that day.
Sanitize the Sink
In addition to washing the dishes, the sink needs to be cleaned, too. Sinks can be a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. To sanitize and prevent the spread of bacteria in the sink, WebMD recommends washing it with a solution of bleach and water. Remember to remove the drain plug and clean that, too.
If debris sneaks down the sink and causes a clogged drain, call our Smell Good Plumbers. Mike Diamond Services has been providing drain cleaning services to Southern California residents for over 39 years. We provide expert training to certify our plumbers as qualified drain cleaning experts, which means superior service for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and redeem our $99 drain cleaning coupon.
