Washing Up Methods

HappyShopper3

When you think about it the manufacturers want you to use loads of washing up liquid as it's in their interests for you to buy more of it, that is why they promote washing up in hot water. You use more of the stuff to get more of the suds! I know there will be people who say it's a waste of water but at least it's cold water and not hot! Of course I can appreciate people who use water meters then they might have to compare cost of running cold water against the cost of heating up water.

I am very aware of the germ thing suffering with OCD myself, but if I can do it I'm sure anyone can. The other thing is that greasy stuff does come clean far more easier than the conventional way.

Ken68

Thank you Devo for starting the thread, and thank you Happy Shopper, for the insight. Can see savings. To recap, squirt onto sponge, wipe onto plates etc, leave awhile, then rinse. Suppose the sponge could be the traditional sort harsh on one side, soft on the other.

HappyShopper3

You're welcome Ken. To make it easier I tend to rinse things off as soon as possible. That way you don't have to scrub to get dried food off the plates! (Or you could just leave things soaked in cold water, like pans while you're eating your meal, I put in cutlery in the pans at the same time) It's a doddle and you soon get into the habit. Who wants to spend all their time tied to the kitchen sink scrubbing away! One squirt of your usual washing up liquid on your kitchen sponge (I use the ones that are sponge one side/scourer the other side) apply to plates, etc and rinse. For really greasy items like a pan that has had oil or fat in it I put a squirt of washing up liquid in them with cold water and leave on the side til the very end.

Ken68

Already do this, Happy, with cold wash clothes washing, just a small measure of liquid detergent in the pre-soak overnight, and non heat washing machine on gentle refresh which acts as a rinse.
Not for coal miners tho !!

frivolous_fay

kingmonkey wrote:

I agree since you will never get the water hot enough to kill any bacteria. Hot water may soften up some grease to wash away but srubbing/wiping has the same effect.

Fair point, but dishes that come out of the water hot will air dry much faster than cold ones - this means you don't need to dry up using a skanky, bacteria-ridden tea towel.

chinagirl

I have a slim-line dishwasher,which I load up throughout the day and switch on last thing at night, and use the economy cycle which uses about a 1/3rd less water than the normal cycle. My dishes are sparkling clean, I use less water than when I was washing-up 5 or 6 times throughout the day, (due to having limited worktop/sink space and 4 men in my house!!! who seem to leave a trail of dirty crockery behind them.) I am also revelling in the added, and unforseen, benefit of MORE FREE TIME, (priceless!!!)

Devo

Ken68 wrote:

Thank you Devo for starting the thread, and thank you Happy Shopper, for the insight. Can see savings. To recap, squirt onto sponge, wipe onto plates etc, leave awhile, then rinse. Suppose the sponge could be the traditional sort harsh on one side, soft on the other.

You're very welcome... I just wanted to get an insight into how different people wash up and it seems there are many different methods out there!!!

My mother always taught me to have a bowl full of hot water with lots of suds from the washing up liquid. Then wash each item in the bowl, rinse lightly and then leave to dry on the draining board. I must admit I tend to put a small amount of detergent on the sponge, scrub the crockery/cuttlery etc and then rinse under the cold tap - may waste a bit of water, but I prefer to have the dishes nicely rinsed before leaving to dry

HappyShopper3

frivolous_fay wrote:

Fair point, but dishes that come out of the water hot will air dry much faster than cold ones - this means you don't need to dry up using a skanky, bacteria-ridden tea towel.

This is true, however I always leave my dishes, etc to air dry so I don't get the problem with smelly, wet tea towels. Just because I use cold water doesn't mean I instantly dry the stuff up. Air drying is far more hygienic.

misterE_3

Maybe I've misunderstood the previous posts, but I'm still having trouble with combining rinsing and saving water in a single sink...

Rinsing takes a long time when turning the tap on and off for each item.

I thought I'd describe my kitchen sink setup and hopefully someone can suggest a better way of washing up that saves water, time and money?? (I don't care how crazy the ideas are, but getting a dishwasher is not an option in my v. small kitchen unfortunately ).

So, my kitchen sink setup:

A single sink, that could fit a single washing up bowl in.

All ideas greatly appreciated!

black-saturn

The people that rinse arn't on water meters. If washing up liquid was so toxic they wouldnt be able to sell it. Even dishwashers have a chemical solution in the final rinse.