5 Truths About Doing the Dishes (Whether or Not You Have a Dishwasher)
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I'm so sorry to let you know that these truths are true whether you have a dishwasher or not. (Spoiler: It's about the routine.)
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My grandma used to say that if you do the dishes right after lunch or dinner they are washed by themselves. If you let them for later YOU have to wash them 😊
That was pure wisdom I should say!
I try to follow this advice and it makes such a big difference.
That and clean as you go.
I'm one of the freaks of nature who find it easier to keep the kitchen under control without a dishwasher. The dishwasher for me was all delayed decisions and I resented having to "handle" the dishes so much. When ours died I reclaimed the cabinet space which meant I had a shelf for cleaning supplies and a hidden spot to put a much larger trashcan. Those two things meant so much more to me in my very small kitchen than the dishwasher did.
I don't use a dishwasher per se. We are the dishwasher. I have two hands, I had two daughters who did dishes growing up. I have a hubby who occasionally will help. I'm raising a granddaughter that is in training 😂. It honestly irks me of how much water ppl use. Watching some on RUclips they practically clean it in the sink then put it in the dishwasher. What is the purpose really?
I don't know if you have them in the US, but here in the UK you can buy slimline dishwashers that are less than 18 inches wide (45 cm). I've never owned a full size d/washer, but wouldn't be without my slimline. There are only two of us, and I run it once a day (I cram as much as I can in!). I hand wash what can't be done in the machine, and my kitchen is always tidy. I don't have to have lots of dishes. What I've now learned to do is keep the same mug all day for myself, just rinsing it out between drinks. That way I don't have to dirty lots of cups and mugs.
I agree!!! A dishwasher is made out to be such a great thing & it’s not, you still have to put dishes in , take dishes out! I use mine for a drainer , that’s about it!
@@RedRubyFarm I use mine as a dish drainer too! It takes nearly a week to get enough dishes for a load in the dishwasher for my family. I did an experiment by seeing how little amount of water I could use to hand wash my dishes. I can wash and rinse my dishes with 3 gallons of water, by putting 1 1/2 gallons of water in each side of my sink. I’m sure the dishwasher uses more than 3 gallons of water. And, I never really got the pre washing your dishes. If I’m going through the trouble of “pre washing” why not just wash them and be done?
Ouf
We are moving TODAY and our new place has a space for a dishwasher, which I’m meant to be happy about… and yet I am already nervous as it’s a whole new routine to handle.
We don’t have the money to buy one yet, so I’ll really think it over and talk with my husband about it before we buy one (which feels inevitable and like it COULD save ME time and energy, but only if we have good routines around it & our kids as well….)
Removal of the decisions has made my home life so much easier. Don’t waste energy & bandwidth deciding if chores need to be done. Ritualize it. In my house, dishwasher runs every single night. Dishwasher gets emptied every morning while coffee brews. Sunday morning vacuum floors, bathrooms get cleaned & laundry gets done (we’re empty nesters). Laundry goes straight from dryer to dresser/closet, never a laundry basket. Thursday night, fridge gets touched up so Friday trash can go out.
I agree with you, having weekly routines that get done regardless of whatever else is going on does keep the household running smoothly. I vacuum on Friday, laundry gets done on Monday and putting clothes away may carry over till Tuesday morning. The dishwasher is run nearly every evening and the clean dishes are put away every morning. Pots and pans are handwashed every evening after dinner. Beds are made every morning. The main bathroom gets a wipe down daily, the other ones are cleaned weekly or as needed.
Having a home for everything is another thing that removes decision making. I didn't realize how much effort I was putting into making stupid little decisions all day. Like "where should I set down the bottle of all purpose cleaner?" Or whatever. It was actually debilitating because I have ADHD and it was so distracting doing that all the time. Also I had to scan for everything when I needed it again, instead of just being able to reach out to grab it because it's always in the same spot
It is pretty wild how much of an impact keeping the dishes done, has on the home! I've been on myself about keeping up on the dishes for the last couple months and it truly has gotten easier to just wash 2/3 times a day (I'm also a stay at home momma) vs letting them pile up and having my fiance and I waiting til one of us finally snap and do them 🤣🤦♀️ now I'm just like "get em done woman!" It helps to remind myself how spoiled I am to have a sink, hot water and all the conveniences of washing the dishes vs other women around the world. 🙏🏻 Like how can I sit here and complain when there's families who would love to have dishes because that would mean they have food. Or families who would love to have clean water to drink, let alone wash with.
Wow! So true ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Yesss, thank you for posting this!
@@heidibonjour absolutely! It's so so easy to get complacent and almost too comfortable. Making the effort to just remember "it could be worse" and acknowledging that for most, it actually is, has really helped to keep me inspired/motivated to work on my home and just life all around 🙏🏻💚
So true!!♥
You are so right!!
I haven’t had a dishwasher in 10 years.. and I had 2 babies back to back.. here’s my trick:
I make sure everyone atleast rinses their dirty dish, and places it into a dirty dish pan.. when I’m ready to wash I wash them all and pile the soapy dishes into the sink and rinse them all at the same time. It cuts the time a lot.
Since watching you, I've learned that if I keep up on my dishes & the laundry, EVERYTHING runs more smoothly, and I can stay on top of things.
Honestly, just doing the dishes is very freeing. I have Lupus and fibromyalgia so I rarely wake up feeling well. A clean kitchen makes morning a joy! Every. Single. Night: load the dishwasher, hand wash anything that needs it, clean the sink and wipe down the countertops! It makes mornings so much better! I do use my dishwasher to save water. It is a newer, very nice one that uses 5 gallons for the heavy duty cycle! I do it to save water and get those dirty dishes put away. My first chore every day is emptying the dishwasher while my coffee brews! Look at that: clean kitchen, a chire done BEFORE coffee?!?! Crazy good!
@HikingforSanity I completely understand! That's how this journey goes. I am just very comforted by small victories like waking up to a clean kitchen. It isn't perfect, but it's progress. I just "batch" chores and do chunks of activities. Example: today I was reinventing the leftovers from my dinner out last night and I had to wait for it to cook while watching. I had to grate cheese for the fajitas so I grated 2 lbs. There were 2 lbs of broccoli slaw in the frig so I made 2 different slaw for my lunches this week while the fajitas cooked. I mean, I was in there anyway! Then I rested after lunch. Because all I had to do was wash one pan. I had done the prep dishes while that pan was cooking. You just learn to habit stack. You'll figure it out
@@Srykerit helps so much. For me it required getting rid of a lot of stuff (mostly plastic food storage) but I only did that after I got sick of doing so much work to wash dishes every day. Once my counters were clear it became basically zero work to do dishes most of the time, the only work is to put them in the cupboard. I literally can't believe how little work it is. I just rinse off my dishes after eating and put them in the dishwasher. If they have something stubborn on them i run water on them and let them sit in the sink for awhile. Or I spray Dawn power wash. Next time I'm in the kitchen i rinse them and put them in the *dishwasher
Starting the day with a counter and sink that is clear of dishes makes me feel so much happier and more in control. I will take your tip of putting away the dry dishes because that is something I don’t do. Having less visual counter clutter trickles to other areas of my home 🙂.
I want to add that if you have children, make them help. Teach them. Please! It was my daughter’s job to unload the dishwasher every day. I would load it. My boys had other chores, sweeping, dusting, trash duty, yard work..thank you for your videos!
I am thankful that my dad oversaw our dishwashing and made sure there were no crumbs or sticky spots left on the table, including the edges of it. (Mom was taking care of my younger siblings.)
Either his mother or the military taught him some household chores.
Also, I think the military teaches the best bed making skills, because when my dad made the bed for the last time (he died after my mom), it was neat as always and would have passed muster by dropping a quarter on it that would have bounced.
My great nephew was only two and a half when he was taught to fold clothes, and soon got to the point where he could load the machines. He was eager to help. (I have not heard that he complained.)
Amen
My brother and I alternated nights cleaning the kitchen after dinner. You are so right that you HAVE to teach your kids to be functioning adults. Just like you didn't get a manual when they were born, no one is giving them one for their 18th birthday!
I actually enjoy handwashing dishes. It's kind of meditative. Of course, i live alone and wash the dishes right after meals, so its not the overwhelming task that people with large families have to deal with. Years ago there was a poem called "i love to wash the dishes" in some women's magazine. It said as a young wife the author loved doing dishes because it made her feel proud and in charge of her own houehold. Then she went through a time as a busy mom and hated all the work of doing the dishes. Then finally as an older person, she once again enjoyed the calming effect of the water etc. I so agree and have often thought about that kittle ooem. I wish i could find it again!
I have always preferred hand washing.
Even large families do them by hand and it's not really a big deal 😊
I currently don't have a dishwasher and I can attest that letting them go even one day doesn't double the time, it quadruples it. Stoopid dishes math! I don't like doing dishes but something that helps me is pairing it with something I do like, like listening to podcasts. Then I'm not just doing dishes, I'm doing something else that I enjoy. Have a GREAT summer, Dana! I have all your books but I recently got the audio versions so I have those to listen to in your absence!
I also pair doing my dishes with listening to a video or praying the rosary online. I can't do them any other way.
Agreed. I wash whatever as I use it, either while I'm cooking, or after each meal. I own only two of most dishes and three cookware pieces - a small nonstick pan to make crepes, a large saute pan, and a 3 qt. saucepan. I can't even fill my dishwasher anymore. 🤣 I don't own enough.
Music or podcasts are key! Another item that has transformed doing dishes by hand is a wand brush. It can tackle anything quickly, cups, vases, food storage containers and lids, plus it’s like painting with bubbles 😆
@@maguilliams YES!!! LOVE the wand brush and now I shall refer to it as "the bubble painter." ;-)
I am a single senior who lives alone. My solution to dish sink chaos is I use paper plates, bowls and utensils. They are very cost effective. It cuts down on time and energy and gets me out of the kitchen fast....I just clean the pot or pan or appliance and cutting utensils. Doesn't take 10 min. Doesn't work for everyone but, works for me .
We have been using paper plates for 5 years. It helps a lot. I also don't wash my adult kids' dishes. I underestimate the immensity of my own mess when I sort through what's my mess. This is extremely helpful. I just did my dishes lol. It was a week's worth and took me about 30 min to hand wash. My main dishes are from plastic containers from my salads. They take up a lot of space on the counter though. We have a small countertop dishwasher that works great but I hand wash most of the time.
What a detriment to the environment, though. ☹️
I think each individual just needs to be responsible for their environmental impact. Washing dishes can put harmful chemicals into the waterways and use up a valuable resource as well,.. water. But so does driving a car and many other things. We each just need to look at our amount of waste we put at the curb and find the best ways to limit that waste. I limit waste in other ways. Paper plates can be composted and put back into soil to grow a vegetable garden... Etc .
@@999applegirl999the water and resources it takes to produce your paper plates (if you are not a senior or disabled) is something else destroying the environment 😕
@999applegirl999 Depends what soap you're using and I wouldn't use paper plates in my garden...too many chemicals I don't want in my soil.
I always left the dishes until I ran out. My sister kept saying that I had too many dishes. With help from you and Cas I finally got the message and decluttered over half my dishes, utensils and pots/pans. Life is better! Thanks Connie, Dana and Cas. 😁😃❤
I have a dishwasher for the first time in my life (I’m 62) and I love it!
There’s just 2 of us so we run it every other day when we run out of plates, and we’re good.
I, too, hated washing up by hand and now I don’t have to! Hurrah!
It’s the little things that make us happy isn’t it 😊
15 years ago I told my late grandma that I wanted a dishwasher and she replied 'what's wrong with your hands?' so I didn't get one 😂 and I think of her every day ❤
I started your dishes routine nightly and putting away in the morning, and had NO idea how that could make such an improvement! I Used to do every Other day. Now it takes me 15 minutes instead of an hour......🤯 I've been doing this for a few months, but yesterday morning I forgot I had been doing this and wondered who did dishes the night before..mmm😂
I love how your thought process is so accurate - I totally avoid washing that one dish because it might get the dry dishes wet, etc. etc. 😂
So relatable! Why is it so much funner to sit down and write a list of things to clean and hem and haw over the “best” time to get cleaning done then to just do it 😅 takes a while to realize this is just another form of procrastination
Nothing is more daunting than a giant stack of icky dirty dishes! Only twice in my life did a house or apartment have a dishwasher, so I definitely agree that dishes math is a thing (somehow dirty dishes breed more dirty dishes when left to their own devices in the sink.) Currently I have a portable dishwasher, which to me, is magical! Not only does it do dishes, but it doubles as a rolling kitchen island. I found it at the Habitat for Humanity thrift store for $40. Dana, don't feel embarrassed about "thinking" your dishwasher was dead for a few weeks,-last year my car was dead as a doornail for 3 days until I had it towed to the mechanic, where it started up right away,...😧😧
I've been married almost 38 years and I've never had a dishwasher. I guess you don't miss what you never had. I don't mind hand washing the dishes.
❤😊😊
I had a portable KitchenAid with a butcher block top that served as an island in my first small home. It was the best dishwasher I ever owned!! Still running strong 10 years on when we moved. We left it for the family who bought our house but that was a great appliance and you are not going to find its like again. We've been in this house for 22 years and we're on our third dishwasher. $😢$ (And wanted to add never had it serviced ever. That thing was a beast!)
I've never been a "clean as you go" type, but one thing I've learned recently about dishes math: one day's worth of dishes (dishwasher or not) equals 4 people eating 3-5 times a day using at least 3 dishes each time. That's 36-60 dishes at one time, without counting cooking dishes. I used to try to wash them once a day after dinner, when I'm exhausted, which is more exhausting. Even just doing the dishes twice a day (breakfast/dinner), makes it much more manageable. And when I can do it 3 times a day, the evening is a breeze.
This is so true! The last few weeks the only things I have really been doing every day is the dishes, making the bed and the laundry and it is amazing how much better the house is even with only doing these 3 things every day. :)
I took your advice about removing the decision. Dishwasher HAS to be unpacked first thing in the morning. Dishwasher HAS to go on every night after dinner. LIFE CHANGING.
I still struggle to hand wash those few things that can’t go in the dishwasher, but at least it’s only a few things, and it doesn’t feel as overwhelming
Yes! I've learned to run the dishwasher even if there's more room in there. Because there's never enough room for the next meal's dishes, and then you have a snowballing situation.
Yes! Yes! I've never had a dishwasher and a small kitchen and have done them everyday. Sometimes washing a few while fixing dinner helps. I knew a family of 10 with each member washed their place setting after dinner and took turns doing pots and pans.
I just did my dishes right before I saw this posted. Because of you I made the change to make sure my dishes are washed every single day. I've never had a dishwasher (our water is so hard and nasty, the dishes look awful and require extra maintenance to even look clean) and washing dishes has always been a job I hated. It was always my chore as a kid, because my brothers were so good at weaponized incompetence. So as an adult, I really rebelled for a while. Now if I good get control of paper clutter...
"weaponized incompetence" had me LOL. Hahahha!
So funny Cyndi because I have 7 brothers that also weaponized incompetence in all chores. Imagine the dish volume of 12 kids, lol.
Dawn the minimal mom has a paper system she Saud she borrowed from who knows. I was always moving the stack. A small file holder from Amazon, a clipboard, and a small basket for "time will tell". Look it up, first time in my life I don't have paper piles. It works great. I get out of controll once in a while but it's easy to rein back in. I'm the worst Slob ever and I can't believe how easy it is for me. Good luck!
As a reformed non- dishwasher, I now load dishwasher throughout the day, run it EVERY night even if it's not full and unload EVERY morning. Game changer. I also now clean as I cook and put away leftovers and clean up immediately after dinner. Because once I sit down after dinner I'm more likely to blow off cleanup. I try to tell myself I'm cleaning up for future me. Once you get used to having a clean kitchen every morning, you won't go back. It's like a present to yourself!!
The pods are really expensive imo so I can't afford to run the dishwasher every day. My mom got me back into powder detergent though lol. Cascade is like $7 and I think it would last a month if I used it every day. Which I'm going to now thanks to your comment, so thank you. I got a pretty jar and filled that with the powder, and put a scoop in. I'm going to get a golden scoop soon 😂 I like being able to customize the amount I use. I only started using pods because I hated pouring out detergent from that box, it always over poured and was frustrating. But my mom told me to use a measuring spoon lol
Anyway I think it will help to have less stuff to put away at once
@@no_peace you could still fill drawer with powder and close it. Just seeing the closed drawer signals to me that dishes are dirty and have not dishwasher has not been run yet.
@@no_peace Better off making your own. Lots of recipes/tutorials out there 😊
Another reason why your method works for me is I have ADHD. So when I put the thing in my hand to take to where it belongs, I put it away. So, even if I get distracted at its landing spot and start practicing the accordion or some thing, I haven’t made a bigger mess where I took the thing from. Then I can go back to decluttering at any point of the day because I didn’t make things worse.
When you got to the 'dishes math,' that broke me! My brain started shouting, 'complicated, incoming complicatedness!!' I do not have a maid, so therefore, I must clean up after myself. That means I can make it as easy or hard on myself as I like. Dishes are just easier to manage if they are cleaned right after use! I just see the dishes as part of the entire food preparation and distribution system! Of course, you can just stop cooking and eating...no...silly idea!
Dana, listening to your books was transformative in my ability to feel like I am actually managing my home rather than it being the boss of me. “Do the dishes,” I hear you say to me all the time, and I do, and my whole life feels more doable! Thank you!
In spanish we call it..comedia satirica where everybody is laughing and the comedian is complete serious..your style is awesome..is changing lives...thank you..thank you.
Dana, Just DO THE DISHES has really changed my life. Thank you so much for this strategy.
Just hand washed morning dishes. 2 min! Evening dishes usually take 5-10 min, with an occasional overnight soak for baked on food. I’m still trying to maintain this twice-a-day plan until it is habit, but timing myself helps a lot! And having all dishes dry and ready for dinner prep is useful since my massive kitchen declutter!
It takes less time than we think to do a lot of things! But especially dishes.
Despise dishwashers. Super scraping, rinsing, waiting for it to be full for a happily childless couple, now widowed 11years. Checking the dishes to make sure they are actually clean. Putting away. Need to own more dishes, silverware etc. because you’re waiting for the dishwasher to be full. Also the funky smell no matter how often you clean the dishwasher. I wash my dishes after every meal. Easy. Single, retired, eat 2x a day, extremely simple meals. I added putting away dishes during my 10 minute end of day “pickup”. I was leaving them in the drainer, but thanks to you now realize dishes are not done until put away, just like laundry is not done until folded and put away.
Your book "How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind," took me to the place where I could improve (instead of giving up). I was then able to add in the modified Flylady approach as taught by Diane in Denmark. [ I cannot deal with the original FlyLady approach - it drives me crazy, sorry about that.] Since reading your book twice, I move forward without guilt, and without perfection. I go to bed with my non-negotiables done - learning to do that without asking "Do I feel like it?" was a game changer for me. Thank you for that, and so much more. I have gifted your book to others, and it has helped them, too.
I realized that the KEY is to keep an empty dishwasher so that it can be loaded which keeps it clean and easy to start when it’s ready to start. UNLOADING is KEY!!!! It’s so much more important than loading, because you can’t load if it’s not empty!!! and then it all piles
"Hope helpful" LOL 😂 I have 2 rooms in my house that *HAVE* to be clean for my brain to feel in control... the kitchen and the laundry room. Since the laundry room is always easier to tidy I start there, despite the fact that it is not a high visibility area. It satisfies ME to know I can go in there anytime and not be stressed, plus its an easy win so I feel more accomplished when I tackle the kitchen. Usually the laundry room is what I consider a ME ZONE... a mess that only I created, so I can't get mad at my family, like I usually do in the kitchen. If anyone has a similar area, like maybe your own closet, that you just NEED to have tidy to think straight, then I encourage you to make that your starting area (or as Dana would say, dishes first, but then tackle your ME zone). Dana, this was a really good hair day girl! And that shirt looks fabulous and makes your eyes look beautiful!
Until I started watching RUclips videos, it never occurred to me that people saved dirty dishes until later. Growing up, my parents cooked and I did the dishes. Raising my family, we all did the dishes together after supper, we practiced spelling words etc while we did it. There was a time in my life when I had a dishwasher, emptying it was a chore. Today, I do not have one, I hand wash whatever dishes as I go along cooking, why wait for the water to boil or the microwave to beep, I just wash whatever I just used. I wash my plate and fork if that is all there is. I am so happy to see my clean sink, kitchen and counter, that motivates me.
Enjoy your summer…..
I'm old as dirt. I'm progressive, very mechanical and tech-savvy, but in some things a little old-fashioned. One of those things I'm old-fashioned about is dishwashers. I grew up without one, and when I finally had one, I found they just don't clean well enough. Handwashing results in cleaner dishes.
I actually enjoy doing dishes, partly because of how I have set up my routine.
I clean as I go, if it's convenient. But after making the final mean of the day, I really don't want to do dishes; I just want to rest and digest. So I make certain to put things in to soak in hot soapy water overnight.
Come morning, I do all the dishes and clean all the surfaces. That includes breakfast dishes; wash them all.
I found I end up starting my day with a feeling of having already accomplished something, and the rest of the day flows better.
I come back at lunch and put the lunch dishes in to soak.
Then later, while making dinner, I squish in washing the lunch dishes while I'm trapped in the kitchen monitoring the cooking.
Years ago, when I had a roommate, I would even do HIS dishes. It was a minor bone of contention between us, because he felt 'guilty', even though I told him I enjoyed leaving a clean kitchen. I didn't feel he 'owed' me, didn't blame him for leaving dishes in the sink, frankly didn't worry about why dishes were left dirty, I just enjoyed having a positive impact on my environment.
But you're correct about it all resting on routine. But part of 'routine' is why the routine is in place and what is the positive feedback you get from routine. It's that positive feedback that powers the routine. For me, the sense of accomplishment is endorphin-inducing, but the meditative action of handwashing the dishes is also very soothing and satisfying. I enjoy it for its own sake.
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MY 8 Truths About Dishwashing and Kitchens:
1. Handwashing is better than machine-washing.
Dishes are cleaner if handwashed. Machine aren't perfect and they don't care.
2. Soaking overnight in hot soapy water makes handwashing easy.
Cooked-on crud does not release very easily unless loosened by water, heat, soap, and time. Trying to clean dishes right after cooking and having a meal will be frustrating and challenging, and it isn't conducive to digestion or relaxing.
3. Cleaning soaked dishes in the morning will go quickly and make you feel like a power for Good.
As you're waking up, you're having a big impact on your environment. The wave of bright cleanliness mirrors the growth of sunlight through the windows.
4. Always try to set up the dish storage within reach of the dishwasher and/or sink.
The dishwasher is usually placed next to the sink. The dish rack should be situated over top the dishwasher and adjacent to the sink. The dish storage should be immediately above the dish rack and the utensil/flatware storage very close by. That way a person can stand in one spot and put dry dishes away.
5. Cookware, bakeware, and cooking utensils should be stored above, adjacent, or inside the stove.
These items should be easily reached for while standing at the stove, available at a moment's notice.
6. Some items can be put away wet, others staged to be put away later, when air-dried.
Utensils/flatware can dry where they are stored. In a busy household, no one will encounter a still-wet utensil.
Pots/pans/bakeware can be left on the stove, where they can quickly be put away as soon as anyone notices they're dry. Lids can be put away wet if they are stored separate from their pot/pan mate.
7. Preparation vessels, utensils, and appliances should be cleaned during the cooking process, as should emptied storage containers.
Clean as you cook, putting things in hot soapy water immediately after use, then handwashing as moments open up to allow it. Small kitchen tools/gadgets can be put away wet or towel-dried in the time it takes to move them from dish rack to their usual storage. Wipe down appliances and leave to air-dry in place. Vessels and storage containers can be washed and air-dried in the dish rack, to be put away the next morning or just before going to bed.
8. If these things are followed daily, the kitchen will at least have a core of order and cleanliness.
I was JUST thinking this! Doing dishes a little at a time keeps everything clean so it’s always available to use. AND it keeps me from leaving all the dirty dishes in the sink that didn’t fit it in the washer the first time. Since listening to your book a few days ago, I have started doing this and my kitchen is cleaner than it’s ever been with a dishwasher. Thank you!
I am so happy someone is finally talking about washing dishes by hand, our mothers did it( or the kids washed the dishes) you were spot on with your tips. my husband are the only 2 people in our home, i wash dishes immediately, I do procrastinate on putting them away , I usually wait until the drainer is full..then before i go to bed I put them away very quickly..I realized it was something i did not want to be part of my morning routine
Your voice reminds me to just do the dishes, funny but true. It really did lead to a domino effect of cleanliness. I intentionally let go of the fairness idea when I realized maybe a clean kitchen meant more to me and I can control me and I can be the person to make it happen. So I do. I would rather be slightly annoyed by nondishwashers and do it myself than live in chaos.
I use the racks in my dishwasher; that I don't use, to hold large pieces to drain while I use my dish drain for smaller items.
By the time I'm finished, I can wipe dry the ones I washed first.
I love to walk in my kitchen in the morning
to find no dirty dishes and no mystery sticky stuff on my countertops.
Clutter and nasty zap my self esteem and energy.
That morning does of love from my clean kitchen works wonders for depression, as well.
Thank you for sharing your time to do this Dana!
I hope your summer is safe, happy, rejuvenating, and peaceful.
Big hugs!☮️♥️🙏🇺🇲👋
Such a great idea🙂❤
Yes! I've been using my dishwasher as a dish rack for years. This is so great when I have a lot of pots and pans from cooking for the week. I cook for one, so the meals last longer. Also, time how long it takes to do something. I hated washing my broiler pan but found it only takes 10 minutes to wash and dry.
If my back hurts from standing a long time, I'll sit down and fold a load of laundry, dust furniture, sort mail, etc. None of these take very long, but it's a break for a few minutes to rest from standing.
My dishwasher broke last year and I had to wait 4 weeks for the new one. Same thing: the kitchen is easier to keep clean! The dishes take 10-20 minutes and they're done. And: I always have clean and available dishes. And: I don't have to listen to the dishwasher churn for 3 hours. And: You have MORE work with a dishwasher: 1. rinsing (that's almost like handwashing) 2. Tetris organization and re-organization of fitting all the dishes in 3. dirty dishes pile up while the dishwasher is working 4. Some dishes you still end up washing by hand if they have some food or soap residue somehow 4. you still have to put away the clean dishes, that's the same chore. Overall: Handwashing is easier and less time consuming and I never went back to using the new dishwasher. True story! I now use the dishwasher to store my extra drying rack. ;-)
I’ve never had a dishwasher…still alive😂
Miracle, isn't it? Truly a wonder how we managed as a species for thousands of years without dishwashers, air conditioning, refrigerators, etc. (Heavy sarcasm 😉)
We have not had a dishwasher for most of our 40 years of marriage. It’s one chore I don’t mind doing because it’s easy and can be done quickly if you stay on top of it. Sometimes I air dry but I like getting them put away asap. Great video as always. Have an awesome summer!
It seems people are unaware that dishes can be dried with a dish towel. I too like to get my clean dishes back into the cupboards immediately.
I had a list of daily non negotiables. I only need 3 on the list. Dishes done to put away, trash each room, 5 minute declutter/5 min clean/5 min TITN in each room. I had to find the least amount to feel accomplished daily.
what is titn?
@@llllllllllilillii Take It There Now
I totally agree with your do the dishes method ESPECIALLY when I don't feel like it ... Just did the dishes which gave me the motivation to wipe down the counters and Mop the Floor . NOW I'm about to hang my clothes up :-) Thank you
I slowly started making it part of my daily routine to clean the kitchen before bed, & now I cannot sleep until the kitchen is clean. And it's not a chore, it's just something to be done like taking a shower. And I love waking up to a clean kitchen. The rest of my house is still a mess but at least my kitchen is clean 😅
We’ve never had a dishwasher. My husband and I wash dishes together (it’s been 45 years 😊)
I don't run the dishwasher until it's at least 1/2 full.
I'm fine with that.
But you have convinced me to get better at doing the 3-4 things a day that I don't put in there.
I stopped putting silverware in there, cause it's so easy!
Knives, silicone pots and pans as well.
When I actually cook, I get some of it done.
I'm going to work at getting the counter stuff done daily.
Thank You!
When I was a kid we the girls each one by herself each day had to do the dishes TWICE A DAY for SEVEN people BY HAND. It was slave labor and I hated doing dishes every single day since for the rest of my 55 years. I literally spent my childhood standing at a sink slaving over dishes same w my 16 year marriage because my husband wouldn't even do any house work at all, he would even throw trash on the ground and expect me to pick it up, thank gol I'm not married to him anymore. This video reminded me that that childhood explains why I won't even approach my sink for days and days. Lately I've been doing them daily because I remembered fly lady and her first thing was to "polish the sink". I never got past that first task in her book though. Now I'll have to downsize everything in my kitchen based on container concept then do dishes daily cuz u said so.
I also had the daily task of hand washing dishes for a family of 6 alone for years and years. I loathe hand washing to this day and will sacrifice precious counter/floor space for a portable dishwasher rather than hand wash! I am so thankful for my dishwasher!
This just goes to show how big of an impact attitude can have on one's ability to do tasks. Taking on the idea "this is slave labor" rather than the idea "this is how I contribute to our household" can forever interfere with completing the task, even when it's time to do the task for oneself alone. I found that adopting the attitude that dirty dishes and dirty clothes are just a sign that the people in my house are still living - or just the remnants of another day of life well lived - removed my resentment of these tasks and took away their Sisyphean quality.
I've never had much problem with the dishwasher - putting the dishes in and putting them away when it's done seems like nothing compared to washing them. Recently, though, I have discovered how much better I feel when I wash the things that can't go in the dishwasher every day, and how little time it actually takes. I also discovered that if I scrape off the dirtier things then stick them in the sink as I wash and rinse the cleaner things directly over them, they're often quite easy to wash by the time I get to them.
When i gave birth to my 3rd baby we moved to an apartment with a dishwasher and it made it so much a easier to keep my kitchen clean because I could do the dishes with one hand and a baby in the other. I think not having a dishwasher is no big deal as long as you don't have a baby under one.
Stacks of dishes have ALWAYS been my downfall, for years, even w a dishwasher. I have had the habit of “letting them soak” in the double sinks & then they sit…for days…even weeks. And it’s just myself, so I have no excuse. But degenerative disc disease in both hips and severe arthritis makes it hard to stand for even brief periods. I know I t’s a terrible habit I have to break. TFSing encouragement.
My dishwasher is broken but even when it wasn't I handwashed certain things. It's just my husband and I but we cook pretty much every meal at home. Waking up to a clean kitchen makes me so happy. When I get home from work, while dinner is cooking I'll wash breakfast and lunch dishes and any dishes used to get dinner going. Then after dinner, all I have to wash is a few pans and our plates/silverware. It goes very quickly. My husband helps put up the clean dishes.
Thank you! Good kick in the pants - I'm the same personality type with needing no choice. Thank you for not editing out the end, nice to know I'm not alone with words.
I just discovered dish washing sprays. They sell the Brillo one at Dollar Tree, but Dawn is way better. This just helps me face the dishes, it doesn’t enable me, per se, to ignore them. Everything Dana says is true. Try it. Live it. Watch it change your life for the better.
When I was younger my Step made me prewash all the dishes before loading the dishwasher so it really doesn't bother me that I don't have one now. As a Fly baby and one who is still trying to learn routines, I also had to take the decision away. So as you and That Awkward Mom says, I just tell myself "Just do your dishes" every night. I do the dishes and wipe the table and counters and put the kitchen to bed lol. Then my morning routing is putting the dishes in the drainer away, then I'm ready for the day. I don't like doing the dishes, but when I'm doing them I am imagining how pretty my kitchen is gonna be when I'm done and it is weirdly giving me peace (also my hubs helps me a lot too). It's so great to wake up to a shiny kitchen sink and a pretty kitchen. That feeling outweighs the decision making feeling (most of the time haha). It's great knowing there are so many ppl who are not born with that clean and organized gene, and it's great that that's ok. Also, please share your hair routine! I am a curly girl too and your hair looks so beautiful! Thanks so much for the wisdom you share!
Getting rid of they drying rack has helped me a ton. First it cleared up so much space, second it makes me have to towel dry what would have one there and put it away. A clean kitchen is freeing!
TOTALLY agree! My dishwasher is out of commission right now, and we're actually keeping the kitchen cleaner than when the dishwasher was working. LOL I think I just don't want the dishes to build up, then when I wash dishes, I automatically tidy up the counters, put stuff away and wipe them down.
😂 I die every time I listen to you. "Words gone... Hope helpful.." While I'd love to hang out in real life, I love having you in my earbud at any time of day or night. The problem is, sometimes you make me snort, but no one else knows I'm listening to a podcast, and I'm just the nutcase randomly snorting. Thank you for being you!!! I adore you, Dana!!!
Grows exponentially
“I have no more words” hahaha. Thanks for always making me laugh!
I actually wash my dishes and put them in the dishwasher to dry. Then, I put the clean dishes away in the morning. When I used to run the dishwasher, I’d always rinse everything off first, so I just decided to add soap and wash them, and put them in the dishwasher. That way everything is almost always clean and ready to use again!
Great "refresher" on Dishes Math!! 😅
Lol! I was literally tempted to comment that on another video. The “but I don’t have a dishwasher” excuse, classic!
I hear your voice saying "do the dishes" all the time, like the little cleaning fairy in my brain. And some weeks I squash it and ignore it, thinking I am smarter and only come to regret it yet once again. So alas, I am off to go do my dishes because its been that kind of a week and I fell behind again. (Why is this so hard for brains like ours? OK. I can do this.) Thank you for all your wisdom!
So ironic that as I am listening to this I am in the kitchen beginning to rearrange the dish drainer and towel next to it so I can finally wash almost every cup, piece of silverware (not real silver), small and medium Corning Ware casserole dish, baking sheet, mixing bowl, cereal bowl, medium plate and sharp knife I own. It would be worse if I hadn’t been using paper bowls and plates also! I uncovered a small resin fall encouragement piece and started to take it back where it belongs then realized I wouldn’t look for or miss it if I didn’t put it where it belongs so went straight back to the living room and put it on the goodwill pile! Which will go to the car after I wash enough things to fill up the drainer and cloth next to it. Did I mention I live alone and still got to this point, and it’s not the first time. 😵💫
I'm so glad you have emphasized this so much because otherwise I would not have done it and my apartment wouldn't be clean. I don't usually need permission or whatever to do stuff because I like breaking rules lol but I think I had a mental block about this. Having guidance that it was GOOD to do dishes first every day gave me more confidence(? or something like that) to do it even though my house wasn't getting better at first
I don't have words for how sick I was of doing dishes. When you hit that point it's way easier to get rid of a lot of stuff and that's when things started to change
Oh and when I got that sick of them, and I got rid of stuff, it became possible to rinse each dish after use. I don't do dishes at all anymore really, I empty the dishwasher every couple of days and put my dish in it after i eat. If I make a mess cooking, that's a little more work but it's not awful. In the past i could do dishes (and clean the kitchen) for 10+ hours a week and still not get to a clear counter. Now it's 5 min a day, not even all at once
Yesterday I kind of made a big mess moving things around and it's still not back to normal. It's so funny because I'm like "tut tut what a mess" and it's 8000x cleaner than it ever had been before
Our dishwasher broken in April 2020 and it was the best thing that could’ve happened to getting my family into a routine. It’s the 18th May and we still don’t have a dishwasher. It took me 8 to 10 months of actual daily nagging and reminding everyone of our new routine but boy, the hard work was SO worth it 🙌🙌🙌
Dishwasher or no dishwasher, a kitchen routine is essential if you want a tidy kitchen.
I think I need to bookmark this video. 😅 I am working on finishing my mountain of shame in the kitchen. No dishwasher, so I do them all by hand - but I let the dish strainer do the drying. I aim to finish it all today - and then start the 'Dana K' way from monday, lol.
I *hate* doing dishes - but I have to admit, I love the feeling of a clean kitchen. And having a bunch of dirty dishes really does drain you mentally - even if you close the door and try to ignore it.
I like doing the dishes. I say that “ I GET to do the dishes! “. I tell people that, it changes everything. Instead of saying that you have to do something, say that you get to do it! 😁
I link two activities together. First thing in the morning I empty the dishwasher as my coffee is being made. Takes about the same time. It’s faster if you use your method of not moving your feet to empty it. But You lost me when you said days of dishes. It has never occurred to me to NOT do the dishes every day. I have left pots soaking or the occasional plate and cup over night. But I think I would lose it if the sink had days worth of dishes. Also I don’t think I own enough dishes to go days without washing them so there is that too. Love your advice on just doing them, you will never feel like doing them.
We took out our dishwasher in 2005 when we bought the house. I’ve never had a house with one, and i’ve served up meals for up to 25 people, and washed dishes afterwards. No problem! Just get a person to dry and put away, and you are done in now time. My kitchen can-also be used for commercial use on a small scale. Ican, preserve and make wine- all hand washed!
JoAnn Paolino....a beautiful reframe.
Yes, it is a gift to be able to do the dishes.
This is so so true!! I'm one of those crazies who completely scrubs every speck off my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, so I'm basically hand-washing anyway. Still takes 20 minutes or less to do a load! If I get behind, and I know I can't wash them all in one go, I just set a timer for 20 minutes. Fill the dishwasher, and go. Repeat when that load is done (and unloaded!). If you have doubts, seriously set a timer for yourself for only ONE day worth of dishes (actually fresh dishes). This has helped me SO SO much! I also have my dirty dishes sorted by type (just a me thing that helps me): all silverware in a tub closest to the sink, then stack of plates, then stack of bowls, then cups, etc. No random piles of mixed up stuff. It just helps my brain feel more orderly about the whole process, and seriously less stressed! A jumbled pile is just overwhelming for me. I've given myself permission to be orderly, even if it's not perfectly organized, even with something like dishes, and wow it really helps. I also limited my drying space recently, and that helps remind me to put dishes away fully as soon as they are dry (dishwasher rarely fully dries dishes). I'm rambling, but seriously, Dana knows what she is talking about! The 20 minute dishes things is 100% TRUE. But, yeah, if you let it pile for a few days, it's going to take way longer to dig yourself out. I still don't have a perfect system, but we have a system and it is working! Our house if functional, and I LOVE it. I don't have to feel ashamed of my dishes like I used to. Even if they are piled again, I know from experience now it's just going to take a few 20 minute sessions and I'm back to a clean counter. If we had less memory issues, I would start putting the dirty dishes straight into the dishwasher after use, but we DO have memory problems (long-covid is no joke), and pulling out and using dirty dishes isn't worth any of us getting sick from them. Done rambling. Dishes are awesome! Thank you, Dana! You can do it, everyone!
My baseline cleaning routine makes doing dishes (by hand, as I rarely use the dishwasher) basically automatic. I don't give myself the opportunity to dread or delay the task, and it's so ingrained into the routine, I barely think about it.
1. Start a load of laundry if it's needed that day. Otherwise, aim for approximately the same amount of time.
2. Spend the wash cycle cleaning the kitchen (dishes, wipe down cooking and prep surfaces, sweep floor, etc.)
3. Spend the dry cycle on top priorities elsewhere in the home (tidy up, that day's assigned housekeeping/decluttering tasks)
By the time you're folding laundry, the essentials are done or nearly so, and you can start thinking about how much time you'll need to wrap up what you've been working on, and what else you want to do with your time. Prior to that, you've been running on autopilot. And if you don't have to keep your ears available for little ones, you could have spent that whole time listening to podcasts while knocking out those tasks, adding to "not even thinking about it" feeling.
One hundred percent agreed. Whenever ours breaks my kitchen always stays cleaner. I have threatened if it breaks again I will never replace it. I think it is because they all get washed dried and put away at the same time. I didn’t leave big pita on the. Punter to put in a second load. And I had more leverage with the kids to encourage them to help.
Hopped on to RUclips to help with motivating myself in doing the dishes! Because yes, it's always my first step in getting my home back under control. Great description of what I'm going through when I'm trying to convince myself of putting this chore off my to-do list!
OK the "Words gone. Hope helpful!" got a big laugh outta me.
Glad you were able to get the final words out for this video because it was super helpful!
When I was a teen, living with my mom and next-oldest sister, we had a choice between using the clothes dryer or dish washer...we chose the dryer. Mom implemented a rotation schedule to take turns hand-washing the dishes. I was always on top of the one day's worth of dishes...my sister would put it off for up to three days and when mom pestered her to do it she'd always complain that I never had to do as much as her.🙃🤷 In my adult life I've had two apartments where the rental agreement stated that the dish washer had to be run at least once a week to maintain its operability, so I would load as the day went along and could get away with 4-5 days before running it...I enjoyed having the machine but even now when I don't have a machine I still enjoy the relaxation that comes with sticking my hands into the soapy water and cleaning off the day's worth of dishes.
"Dishes math" is SO true! Been there, had to do that. Literally hours. Do it now, take it there now. I identify and agree with everything you've said.
@ruthmeyer I know what you’re saying about trying to remember if the dishes in the dishwasher are dirty or clean.
I have two tricks to help me…when I unload the clean dishes i refill the soap dispenser. Anyone in the house knows at a glance.
And two, I have a laminated magnetic sign on the front of the dishwasher that I flip up for CLEAN or down for DIRTY. It helps that brain fog you mentioned.
I have procrastinated over the uttil it gets to overwhelming proportions. This video spoke to me on so many levels.😅❤
Omg I love you!!! I listen to your audio book all the time while I declutter! 💜💜💜💜💜
Dishes math! 🤣 About 4 years ago I found Scandish Home on RUclips. Noemi didn't have a dishwasher and watching her wash dishes by hand inspired me. I haven't used my dishwasher since then! Also, I HAAAATED washing dishes while growing up, and well, until 4 years ago. Now I enjoy it, although it's only my husband and I so it's not so bad.
I had a real revelation in watching this video. I think where I get stuck is that I think I’ve done the dishes, but I haven’t completed the process by putting the clean dishes away which means the process of doing new dishes is a lot more work because I have to put away the clean dishes from the last time I did dishes. I’m going to focus on making sure the clean dishes are also put away at the end of the evening. Thanks!
Your system works for me. I’ve tried everything that came along. This works. Where would I look for this? Put it there right now! I’m old now but I still have ADD. You make me laugh and learn at the same time.
Hi Dana, I will continue to read your book ( I have a paper copy by my bed "Decluttering at the speed of light" which I asked for a got for Christmas and listen to your videos over the summer, as my home is getting better. ( Better is good! ) Thank you for helping me make my life better. Have a wonderful summer off!
Thanks, Dana! Have a great summer!
Researchers say the number one chore most likely to ruin a relationship is washing the dishes. As I have taken your advice to ensure the dishes are done everyday, I have realized that 1. It no longer is a task on my to do list every weekend 2. My entire family is less stressed because they can easily get something to eat and 3. MOST IMPORTANTLY my daily stress load is reduced because I no longer have to see an accumulating mess and worry about all the work that has to go into making a meal for my family. Incorporating Laundry Day has also been just as beneficial. My house is still a huge work in progress, but it is amazing to see how much better my family gets along not having to worry about what to eat and wear everyday. THANK YOU 🙏🏽 THANK YOU 🙏🏽 THANK YOU 🙏🏽!!!!!!!!
I have the do the dishes T-shirt. It’s my favorite top for every day wear. ☮️❤️
i know I'm weighing in late on this topic, but only because I've been thinking about it ever since I listened to this post. And, as always, I invoked the container principal. I've always lived in small NYC apartments with almost no counterspace. In my entire life, I only once owned a small, 18" dishwasher which I rarely used but often it was good for an over-size dishdrain. My sinks have always been 20 x 25 (standard) in order to maximize counter space, leaving maybe a small side spot for the dish-drain. My newest apartment has a 45" wide counter area for the sink. The last sink I bought replaced the 25" with a 30" sink with an integral drainboard -- and the sink itself slimmed down to about 18" in width and (it also was an epoxy/granite which stained horribly and irrevocably.) And having a big drainboard (you know it) became the resting space for a lot of dishes! Finally, Ms. White, I've found an approach to dishwashing without a dishwasher that works. I got a wonderful 33" wide sink at the local home depot for $200. I kept the wonderful faucet I had from the last sink, and got rid of my dishdrain. Now I have a in-sink dishdrain which is plenty big for me (and I could have one twice the size without difficulty). I have a dishpan in the sink which I take to the table to collect dishes. I spray pans with a home-made pre-soak of vinegar, water and dishwashing liquid. I run hot water and add a squirt of soap, and use a brush to clean. The sink becomes the container; it's large enough to contain the entire dish-washing process. If I have friends over, I might have to do that process twice, in which case I can keep a stack of dishes sprayed on the remaining countertop. In my mind, having it all 'below decks' in the sink makes the process definable and doable. Once in a while, I can't get to the dishes right after eating dinner, and it's not a problem to clean up later or even (yep, I'll admit it) in the morning if they are sprayed with the vinegar solution. I am very grateful for the book I purchased of yours; it's the only approach to decluttering that has worked for my brain, and my small apartments look better than ever. Best Meg Feeley Bronx NY
I love your reasoning. You think like me. 😄 Thanks for being real.
I enjoyed your video while I washed ky dishes tonight. Our dishwasher quit 8 yrs ago and we've preferred hand washing ever since. Enjoy your summer and we'll see you later.
Love your videos! I just found you through a video that popped up of you and Mel Robbins and its CHANGED MY LIFE ALREADY! I actually went and cleared a whole draw and found the voice box to my Grandsons favourite childhood toy, and it still worked when I put new batteries in it 😁 (its been at least 5 years since i cleared that draw..) So I surprised him with it by secretly putting the box back in and when it 'talked and sang'... He was so emotional and happy beyond belief😊! It was the best moment to end the day!❤ And now my bedroom is getting hoard free too!! ❤❤❤❤THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
You are funny, relatable and sooo helpful! Thank you!
I am rockin this! thank you! Dishes simplified and clean!
Very helpful!!! Thanks!!! You crack me up 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'm surprised that you exposed my crazy thoughts about dishes; I have so many of the same thoughts you had. My new mantra: do the dishes!!!!!
I never had a dishwasher until I was in my 30s. Prior to that growing up we did dishes by hand and same as when I got married and had kids they were done by hand.
I now absolutely love a good quality dishwasher. We use ours daily. We still wash a lot of dishes by hand such as pots and pans and anything plastic, although I don’t have a lot of plastic things. I think a dishwasher is well worth the price. I hope to never go back strictly hand washing!!!
I’ve learned to set a timer for two minutes and empty the dishwasher… and I’m usually done before it goes. Crazy. But the focus that causes makes the job get done really quick.