Up next in Kitchen & Bathroom Cleaning (34 videos)
Make your kitchen and bathroom sparkle with the cleaning tips and tricks in these videos.
You Will Need
- A fork
- A sink
- Hot water
- A dish tub or large pan
- A dishcloth
- A scrub brush, nylon mesh pad, or piece of steel wool
- Dishwashing liquid
- And a drying rack
- Used dryer sheets
- Rubber gloves
- Vinegar
Steps
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Step 1
Scrape off food
Use a fork to scrape any remaining food off the dishes.
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For pots and pans with caked-on food, fill them with water, throw in a used dryer sheet, and let them stand for one hour.
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Step 2
Fill tub
Place the dish tub or large pan in the sink, squirt some dishwashing liquid into it, and fill the tub with hot water.
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Put rubber gloves on if you want.
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Step 3
First wash
Wash glasses and silverware first, when the water is cleanest.
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Never put a delicate glass bottom first into hot water, or it may crack. Slip it in sidewise.
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Step 4
Use hottest water
Rinse with the hottest water you can stand.
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Rinse crystal pieces in one part vinegar to three parts warm water to get them sparkling.
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Step 5
Wash in order
When the glassware and silver are done, continue washing in this order: plates and bowls, serving dishes, utensils, and pots and pans.
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Step 6
Use brush, pad, or wool
Use a brush, nylon mesh pad, or steel wool on tough-to-clean pots and pans, but heed the manufacturer warnings that came with them.
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Step 7
Let air dry
Let everything air dry—it's the most hygienic method.
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Doing a load of dishes in the dishwasher takes 11 gallons of water, while hand washing them takes 16.
