Washing the dishes by hand might seem like a simple enough chore.
But when it comes to the cleanliness of your kitchen, it’s important to take extra care. Not washing your dishes properly can spread germs around your whole house.
To help you get sparkling clean dishes every time, here are five of the most common mistakes people make when washing dishes by hand – and how you can avoid them.
5 common mistakes when washing dishes by hand
1. Putting off doing the dishes
There’s no question about it: doing the dishes is a chore that not many people enjoy. But we’re here to remind you it takes less time than you think it will.
In fact, the longer you leave it, the more chances you have of spreading germs around your home.
In an interview with 720 ABC Perth, associate Professor Barbara Mullan from Curtin University’s school of psychology explained: “Ultimately, if you leave dirty dishes around and there are people in the house, and possibly animals, they are likely to spread bacteria around.”
“Bacteria will stay alive on surfaces, even clean surfaces, for up to four days,” she said.
“So on dishes that have contamination like food particles, bacteria can stay alive for a very long time.”
Tip: Set a time to do the dishes and make it part of your routine. Or, if there’s a lot of dishes stacked up, consider doing it in batches to make it more manageable.
2. Using a dirty scrubbing brush or sponge
Just because your sponge looks like it can go a few more rounds with your dishes doesn’t mean it can. Unfortunately, sponges need to be changed at least once a week or sooner to avoid a build up of dirt and bacteria.
Tip: Replacing dishcloths regularly can add up, so it’s best to opt for reusable ones, like these Dream Cloths, that you can put in the wash.
3. Soaking items that shouldn’t be soaked
Soaking does help to remove stubborn bits of food, but it does depend on the item and what it’s made of. Avoid soaking cast iron cookware and anything made from wood, as these materials can absorb the water and deteriorate over time.
It’s also not a good idea to fill up your sink and let your plates and cutlery soak before washing them.
“You’re putting dishes into water temperature under 60 degrees, and that’s the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” associate Professor Barbara Mullan explained.
“You will end up with a lovely bacteria soup, and then you will stick your hand in the sink to pull the plug out and do the dishes. If you don’t wash your hands properly, you will cross-contaminate the kitchen.”
Tip: Only soak items that won’t absorb water, such as stainless steel pots and pans, and empty the soaking water before washing anything. You can also consider using a scrubbing brush, sponge or cloth to clean items made of cast iron, wood or other porous materials.
4. Using too much soap
Similar to a common mistake people make when washing clothes, using too much detergent when washing dishes can make it harder to rinse them clean as the suds may cling to the dishes. It can also sometimes leave a residue on your dishes or become slippery, which could lead to broken glass and crockery.
Tip: Check the guidelines on your detergent label and try adding a bit at a time until there’s just enough suds to wash your dishes. You can always add more if you need it.
5. Putting the dishes away while they are still wet
Can’t be bothered to dry your dishes? While it might seem harmless to throw a few things back in the drawer while they are still a bit wet, it adds moisture to your drawers and cupboards. And that leads to another common problem when there is too much moisture in your home: mould!
What is the correct way to wash dishes by hand?
- Scrape as much food off your dishes as you can
- Wear rubber gloves
- Fill the sink up with water as hot as you can handle
- Use detergent
- Using a clean dishcloth or brush, scrub your dishes removing the food particles
- Dry your dishes before putting them away
A lot of us have been washing dishes for decades. But it’s easy to forget that not doing your dishes correctly can cause germs and bacteria to spread around your home. So stop putting it off, go easy on the detergent and use a clean sponge!
