Do you know the feeling when after a joyful meal your dishes are piling up and you don’t know where to even start cleaning them? There is a number of dirty pans, plates, cups and utensils that you just wish would vanish magically. Knowing how to wash your dishes the right way can save you a lot of time and reduces the effort. So therefore, we created a little guide for you.
There are several tools you can use to help wash, scrub and dry dishes, including:
- Dish liquid
- Sponges
- Cloths
- Brushes
- Steel wool scrubbers
- Rubber gloves
- Kitchen towels
- Dish rack
Nylon-bristled brushes are often the best brush option, as they tend to harbor less bacteria. Be careful when using steel wool scrubbers on your dishes. While they may help loosen stuck-on food fast, they can also scratch the surfaces of your dishes.
The first thing you need to do is sort your dishes in the order in which they will be washed. Always start with dishes that are less soiled first. This will keep your dish water cleaner longer. This includes:
- Glasses
- Cups
- Silverware
The next step is to release plates and bowls from food stains and residues. Heavily-soiled and greasy items, as well as pots and pans, should be washed last. If any dishes have stuck-on food or a lot of grease is burnt, soak them prior to washing to help loosen dirt, food and grime so they can more easily be washed. With Pril’s dish liquid the soaking only takes up a few minutes and dishes can afterwards be washed even more easily.
If possible, wipe food off of plates after use and before washing. This not only makes them easier to clean and prevents food from sticking, but also keeps your dish water cleaner.
The right dish liquid can make all the difference when you’re cleaning your dishes- for both your plates and cups and for your hands. Pril’s Kraftgel was created to solve tough dish washing problems by fighting starch, grease and burnt simultaneously. Its powerful combination of the strong fat-dissolving power and double enzyme technology makes your dishes sparkle again without having to use heavy scrubbing. If you tend to have dry or sensitive skin, use a milder dish liquid like Pril Sensitive. With its skin-friendly pH value it has been recommended by dermatologists.
In most cases, using hot water is recommended when washing up to cut through grease and get rid of bacteria. Washing up water should usually be at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) to get an optimal result. This temperature will be uncomfortable for your hands to be in when washing, so be sure to use gloves. Pril’s dish liquid was developed with superior enzyme technology so it works effectively whilst using milder temperatures, which uses less energy and is easier on the environment. Please remember to change the water when it becomes cold and dirty.
When washing dishes by hand, you may wonder how much washing up liquid should you use? (Link to ‘How much washing up liquid should I use?’). This is often determined by the type of dish liquid you have. You can use a small dosage of Pril power gel for normal dish washing; you’ll only need 3 ml of soap for every 5 litres of water. For difficult dishes, use 5 ml (one table spoon) for every 1 litre of water.
When using Pril sensitive or non-concentrated dish liquid, use 5 ml (1.5 table spoons) of dish washing liquid for every 5 litres of water. If you have a particularly greasy pan or stuck-on food to deal with, a larger dose of 5 ml per 1 litre of water can be used.
After washing five or six dishes, we suggest to rinse them thoroughly under hot water. Hot water helps to remove any remaining dirt, grime, soap and bacteria left on the dishes. It also helps dishes dry quicker and reduces spots and streaks. The water should be slightly hotter than the washing up water temperature to receive quicker results, but room temperature works fine as well.
Drying your dishes with a towel means you can put them away immediately, but it can be quite time consuming. Air drying in a dish drying rack is often a better option, although you might need to wait longer to put your dishes away.
Once the dishes are dry, you can put them away in their proper places.
After the dishes are done, clean your sink with dish liquid to get rid of germs, bacteria and dirt that may be present in your sink, on countertops and on the stove. You’ll also need to take care of your kitchen tools. To keep kitchen towels, sponges and other kitchen tools bacteria and germ free change them regularly.
Save time when washing dishes and reduce the effort required by following these step-by-step instructions on how to wash dishes.