Comment by Cammie:

This really does make a big difference! Great tip.

Cammie

Comment by Mrs. Brigham:

This tip really does make a huge difference with dishwashing :o)

Comment by mama lieveheersbeestje:

How funny, this is exactly how my mother has thought me how to do the dishes! And it realy works very well!
By the way, I make myself very cozy in my little kitchen, we painted it in a warm-red collor and I put a little radio inside. And I like to do most chores, so I am comfortable there too.

Greatings from the netherlands, mama lieveheersbeestje.

P.s. I like your blog!

Comment by AmyG:

Great post! I to sort of like doing dishes…IF I keep up with them. It is when I get lazy and let them sit a day or two (with only Hubby and I this is easy to do and before you know it….BANG…a big ‘ol mess)

I like the hot water…it relaxes me and I like how my kitchen looks when I get everything clean and tidy again.

Comment by Ginny:

That is basically what I do, too. It seems more efficient and I actually can get more done that way. Thanks!

Comment by Bethany:

I needed encouragement to get mine done today, and this did it. Thank you!

Comment by Ken S.:

Take it from an old BACHELOR — this method works! Washing dishes is one of those round-the-house chores I’ve always HATED, but because I live alone I don’t dirty enough dishes to justify getting an AUTOMATIC dishwasher. I came across your washing dishes post while I was looking for something else and thought I’d try what you said. THANK-YOU! The only way it could get easier now would be if the DISHES washed THEMSELVES!

Postscript to ANYONE reading this: DON’T skimp on the HOT WATER and be sure to use enough SOAP! That’s what makes it WORK!

Comment by erinne:

I used to hate doing dishes. Well, I can’t say that I like doing them now. But this method sure does beat the way I used to let everything get all dried on. Thanks!

Comment by Hadias:

I couldn’t have said it better myself. I think that from youth some women are conditioned to despise dishwahing. My daughters (15 & 6 yrs old) actually have told me that they enjoy it. My six year old says “Make the water hot mommy”. She enjoys having her hands in really warm water when I let her wash small items. My oldest daughter says “Washing dishes can be relaxing and I can daydream”.

These sorts of remarks make my heart sing. They also enjoy kneading bread and caring for plants. I often hear women complain about washing dishes along with a myraid of other responsibilties such as caring for their children and I feel as though they are missing out on some of the more joyful aspects of life.

This is a great post as always.

Comment by Sally Bennett:

I have found that washing the dishes when there are small amounts is easier than letting them accumulate. I get overwhelmed easily when very many pile up.

Comment by KM- Wilmore, KY:

Use the hottest water that you have- pot your tea kettle on to boil if needed, then just use rubber gloves- the gloves provide enough protection from the scalding hot water, and there is no need to let it cool and have to keep adding.

2 pair of rubber gloves at Dollar General is just $1.25. Before I take the gloves off I wash my gloved hands with soap, then slip them off and hang them to dry. I have also run them through the wash with a load of towels.

p.s. I have a new dishwasher, runs beautifully, and is in perfect working order, however I only run it once a week, Sunday afternoons, with the heated dry option turned off. Handwashing dishes, is faster, saves a lot of water and electricity. Our electric and water bills dropped DRASTICALLY when I stopped running it.

Comment by oioi:

Thank you for a very nice site with lots of interesting tips! I don’t mind doing the dishes. It’s the only task that allows me to think about other things (I don’t like chores where I have to concentrate the whole time). The hot water/soap soaking method is great after a big party, but the real trick to make washing the disches easy is to never (EVER) let it add up. A few plates, a pan and a pot and some chopsticks (we eat mainly Chinese) only takes a few minutes to clean up and there is usually no need to soak anything… Of course, in my family it’s only me, my wife and our 2 month old baby. A big family might be a different thing… Thanks for this wonderful site!

Comment by hillbilly momma:

No sharp knife setting in the hot soapy water!

Comment by lady of rock:

This works well, I tell you. My momma and I just use hot water and wash off all the food we can first, then scrub away. But also, its easier to wash the dishes if 1) you have someone to talk to, or 2) you have a few songs in mind to sing.
Really! It works so well, its kinda scary. Just start singing or talking, but continue working absentmindedly, and the next thing you know, you’ll be done!

Comment by Shoshanna:

That was a very helpful tip thanks.

Comment by brittany:

i soooooo DO NOT want to wash my dishes today!! but hearing others feel the same.. has me filling the sink :)

Comment by Cheri:

This is the method my mom uses which she learned from my great-grandmother, a woman with 6 children and a hardworking, hungry husband, a lady who never owned an electric dishwasher in her life. My mom’s saying about her grandmother that you never found a dirty dish in her kitchen. When my great-grandmother sat down to eat, all the dishes were clean except the ones the family were ready to eat on. Because she used this method! My mother taught it to me, and I can testify it really does work. Thanks for the memories!