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Dishes are like laundry; never-ending. As soon as you turn around a dirty dish takes the place of a clean one and the cycle continues. FOREVER. There’s really no good way to get rid of these things unless you constantly eat out while being naked. That’s probably not going to happen for most of us so we need to be proactive.
While we can’t prevent dirty dishes we can do things to make the whole process easier. Here are some simple tips to clean extra dirty dishes, starting by getting ahead of the curve.
Don’t Fill The Sink With Dishes
Piling dish after dish in the sink is a bad idea. A sink overflowing with grimy dishes is something almost everybody will intentionally avoid as long as they can. It looks too difficult making it something no one wants to tackle. Extra dirty dishes will never get clean if everyone is constantly lowering their gaze everytime they pass the sink.
Instead place a plastic bin next to the sink and place dirty dishes in it. A bin is way less daunting. This will ensure your sink is always free and ready for rinsing and washing. If you use a dishwasher, this is also the perfect place for dirty dishes while a load is washing.
Buy Dish Soap In Bulk
Let’s face it, we will always need dish soap. Buying this in bulk will not only save you money but it will save you time. You won’t have to run to the store mid wash to get more!
Place it in a stylish oil and vinegar dispenser. This will not only give you controlled pouring capabilities but it looks way better next to the sink than a plastic bottle.
To make sure you aren’t wasting your precious soap, squirt roughly a tablespoon of dish soap into a cup of water. Instead of squirting everything into the sink, likely using WAY too much, this will keep things in check. When you need more soap simply dip your sponge into the bowl of soapy water and continue washing.
Speaking of sponges…
Use The Right Tools
To get extra dirty dishes sparkling again you have to use the right tools. Lately, I’ve been using Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots sponges and their handy dish wand that I picked up at Dollar General.
They scrub everything so amazingly fast yet rinse completely clean thanks to their fancy Scrubbing Dots technology. Those little dots are truly magical!
I love how Scotch-Brite™ Brand has different sponges for different jobs. You have to have the right tools for extra dirty dishes or they will never get clean.
So when I have baked-on messes stuck to my pots and pans I use Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Dots Sponge for extra power. But when I’m trying to clean non-stick cookware or my glass cooktop I use Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Dots Sponges. They can safely clean all cookware without scratching it!
Want to try Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots Sponges today?
I know you do! Head to Coupons.com to get $1.00 off any two Scrub Dots items!! Valid 10/4 – 12/31.
Tip: Use an over the door hook to hang your Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots Dishwand. They are cheap and don’t take up a lot of space!
Let Extra Dirty Dishes Soak
Always remember to soak extra dirty dishes first. While them bad boys are soaking you can concentrate on cleaner dishes so your dishwater doesn’t get all nasty.
To save time, sort your silver while you are doing dishes or as you are placing them into the dishwasher silverware basket. Trust me, this makes putting dishes away SO much easier. It will keep you in a nice rhythm of washing and putting away dishes allowing extra dirty dishes to get cleaned promptly.
So go ahead and grab Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots sponges at Dollar General today and get ahead of those extra dirty dishes (before they take over your house)!
Krystle, creator of Home Jobs by MOM, swapped her psychology degree for motherhood adventures. Now in Kentucky with her husband and teenage sons (15 & 19), she balances cooking, DIY projects, and launching her next business venture. Texas-born but Kentucky-living, she’s still sharing her journey as her family grows up.
The giveaway at Kindz says to comment on: “letting me know what meal you make that is the hardest to clean up afterward.” Oh, dear, I live alone, and make only meals that are easy to make. I generally clean up as I go along, so when I finish eating, I just have to wash my dinner dishes and flatware! Once in a while, there is a pan soaking in the sink while I eat. I adore my ScotchBrite Dots dishcloth.. It is thin, so it dries well and doesn’t get smelly between cleaning up the prep dishes and cleaning up my meal dishes! It is also easy to pop into the microwave for 2 min to kill germs. I am ready to purchase a new one, because after MUCH use, some of the dots are falling off… or rubbed away?
Thank you for the great tips and suggestions! We just moved into a new house and the idea of having dirty dishes in the sink makes me half crazy. I make a baked spaghetti casserole; delicious but so difficult to clean up.
I would have to say the hardest meal to clean up is anything not made by me. Whenever my husband cooks anything there seems to be four times as many dishes and an explosion in the kitchen.
I would have to say baking just about anything makes a big mess. Meat such as pork roast or chicken can get stuck to pans and a pain to scrub off when it comes time to clean them. When I bake cakes I end up making a big mess with measuring cups and spoons along with ingredients spread out across the countertops. Yep, definitely baking.
I make homemade iced sugar cookies. All the flour and cutting out the individual cookies , dirtying the bake sheets and making a large amount of icing and dying it all different colors make such a mess.
AH big sigh!! The piled up dishes in my kitchen are calling my name right now. I totally agree that the right kitchen tools make all the difference in doing the job.
Scrubbing before putting them in the dishwasher makes it much less work when they come out of the washer. No more having dirty dishes come out of there that have to be rewashed.
I love to cook and we definitely end up with some extra dirty dishes! I hate spending any more time than necessary so I love these quick tips. Especially sorting silverware as it goes in, not as it comes out!
These are really great tips to help stay on top of the dishes that can quickly pile up! Using a great quality cleaning tool definitely helps too! {client}
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Krystle
So do I. I always leave them until last, ha!
Eileen Boyce
These are great tips. I hate doing pans.
Sarah L
Lasagna is the hardest for me to clean up. I just let it soak.
Krystle
Sometimes, soaking it doesn’t always get it loose for me. Those are the pans I dread the most.
Beth McC
The giveaway at Kindz says to comment on: “letting me know what meal you make that is the hardest to clean up afterward.” Oh, dear, I live alone, and make only meals that are easy to make. I generally clean up as I go along, so when I finish eating, I just have to wash my dinner dishes and flatware! Once in a while, there is a pan soaking in the sink while I eat. I adore my ScotchBrite Dots dishcloth.. It is thin, so it dries well and doesn’t get smelly between cleaning up the prep dishes and cleaning up my meal dishes! It is also easy to pop into the microwave for 2 min to kill germs. I am ready to purchase a new one, because after MUCH use, some of the dots are falling off… or rubbed away?
Krystle
Having few people in a home is definitely nice because it makes dishes a bit easier. You’re smart to clean as you go along!
Alice F
Thank you for the great tips and suggestions! We just moved into a new house and the idea of having dirty dishes in the sink makes me half crazy. I make a baked spaghetti casserole; delicious but so difficult to clean up.
Krystle
Oh yes, it sounds super difficult to clean up. A new house feels like you’re starting from scratch so dirty dishes seems crazy!
Crystal Rose
Homemade mac and cheese in the oven can be pretty bad. Really, it’s just any baked dish with cheese in it.
Krystle
You are so right. Melted cheese once it has dried is the worst on any dish.
Helen
I would have to say the hardest meal to clean up is anything not made by me. Whenever my husband cooks anything there seems to be four times as many dishes and an explosion in the kitchen.
Krystle
hahaha Now that’s the truth! I think it’s because the woman knows how much work it will be to clean it up and tries to avoid that aspect.
Sherrie Cruson
I would have to say baking just about anything makes a big mess. Meat such as pork roast or chicken can get stuck to pans and a pain to scrub off when it comes time to clean them. When I bake cakes I end up making a big mess with measuring cups and spoons along with ingredients spread out across the countertops. Yep, definitely baking.
Krystle
I can agree with you on that one. I feel like I dirty every dish in the house when I bake. Such a mess but well worth it!
Kathy Davis
I make homemade iced sugar cookies. All the flour and cutting out the individual cookies , dirtying the bake sheets and making a large amount of icing and dying it all different colors make such a mess.
Krystle
Oh my goodness, baking makes a huge mess ALL over the kitchen. It’s fun baking things like cookies but it’s not fun cleaning up afterwards!
TColeman
It is so true that when there is a big pile people avoid it like the plague. Awesome tips!
Krystle
That pile is just so intimidating! haha! It’s always best to know yourself and avoid the things that will keep you from getting things accomplished.
CourtneyLynne
Oooo so many helpful tips!!! Looks like I need to head to dollar general and grab myself a few of these sponges
Krystle
I definitely would if I were you! They’re handy.
Heather Riccobono (@BrieBrieBlooms)
Excellent tips! We just moved into a new home and I’ve been so obsessed with keeping the kitchen clean. No dirty dishes in the sink!!
Krystle
Don’t you love that new home inspiration?! I like keeping my kitchen cleared if possible and hate it when I run out of time and it gets messy.
lbosworth
I never fill my sink with dirty dishes. Not only does it look awful, but it’s hard to tackle cleaning the dishes.
Krystle
Yes, it makes it very difficult. You have to take them all out just to get started. Too much added work!
Jasmine Espinal
I get these too at Dollar General! They always have the best deals for the most your home needs!
Krystle
Yes they sure do! I enjoy their coupon app the most.
Rachel
Dollar General is the place to go get cleaning supplies. It is a little crazy to think that I would buy the same stuff at Target and pay so much more.
Krystle
I couldn’t agree more. Dollar General always has great deals and they’re my first choice.
AnnMarie John
That’s really awesome! I make sure that I clean our dishes well, even when it’s my husbands turn to wash them. These are all great tips!
Krystle
Backing up your husband is sometimes a great idea. 😉 Extra clean dishes is a great thing!
Cassie Liz
Thanks for your tips! I am so sick of washing up at the moment haha! BUT I did buy a pack of those sponges today so lets see how i go
Krystle
YAY! Glad to hear it! Let me know if you like them as much as I did!
Andrea Firmani
AH big sigh!! The piled up dishes in my kitchen are calling my name right now. I totally agree that the right kitchen tools make all the difference in doing the job.
Krystle
Makes a huge difference! I’m not going to lie, I have a few dishes that need doing as well.
Katrina Tauro // Kat Meets World
Those sponges look awesome! Would be especially handy after I cook up a big greasy breakfast in the morning!
Krystle
Oh for sure! Grease is the worst and gets on everything!
reesa
I LOVE these sponges. I am a mess at the sink. I never do the dishes when I should!
Krystle
I don’t think any of us do the dishes when we should, at least not on a consistent basis. Life is so hectic, who can blame you?!
Melissa Chapman
We do everything wrong we pile dishes in the sink and buy individual dish soap. We need those sponges for scrubbing before the dishwasher.
Krystle
Scrubbing before putting them in the dishwasher makes it much less work when they come out of the washer. No more having dirty dishes come out of there that have to be rewashed.
streetsmartnutrition
I love to cook and we definitely end up with some extra dirty dishes! I hate spending any more time than necessary so I love these quick tips. Especially sorting silverware as it goes in, not as it comes out!
Krystle
Yes! It’s easier and quicker to sort it going in than coming out so it’s worth the extra effort. Glad you enjoyed the tips!
robin rue
Our dishwasher just died, so we are doing them all by hand. Thanks for the awesome tips.
Krystle
Oh goodness, when you’re used to a dishwasher and it quits on you, it stinks going back!
threekidsandafish
These are really great tips to help stay on top of the dishes that can quickly pile up! Using a great quality cleaning tool definitely helps too! {client}
Krystle
Quality cleaners make a huge difference. Glad you enjoyed the tips!