Plastic Basins - to use or not to use

Snowy_Owl

Ok - so the hubby and I are at odds over this!

I like to use a plastic basin in the kitchen sink for doing the dishes. I feel it softens the "blow" when washing glass and sensitive stuff ( he KNOWS I'm clumsy-duff) but he thinks they're germs harbouring "things" that are justr no good. We do also have a half-sink as well.

The questions are - do you use a plastic bowl for doing your dished in? What are your thoughts? ARe they germ harbouring items of illness as my hubby suggests (despite the fact he hasn't fallen ill from it in two years plus:rotfl:) or not (is there something in this)?

Thanks in anticipation

Snowy

BitterAndTwisted

Your husband is talking out of his hat! I also use a plastic bowl for washing up because I don't want to risk chipping china or glass either. Where are all these virulent filthy germs supposed to be coming from, good old hot soapy water and microbe-killing detergent? I think not. There can't be a single germ in mine as I often soak the dish-cloth and brush in bleach overnight. Now, manky dish-cloths really are the things that harbour nasty germs. Blech!

If he's so determined to protect you from yourself perhaps he should take up all the dish-washing duties as you're not to be trusted. And pay for the breakages. I can see a washing-up free future for you on the horizon. What, with living with such an expert and all.

Callie22

Can't stand washing up bowls, I've seen far too many nasty ones where people have simply swilled the water out and never cleaned underneath the bowl properly, resulting in slimy goo and food bits stuck under there, or where people just pour the dregs of tea and coffee in the sink and the bowl gets all stained and grotty. I'd much rather use the sink directly, so that I can give it a good scrub out when I'm done and I know there's nothing left to go gooey. I've never smashed a glass or cup in the sink - admittedly though most of my china is from Ikea and you could probably drop a bomb on it and it wouldn't break.

I also have horrible childhood memories of throwing up in a washing up bowl, so I always think they smell sicky, even when they don't.

angelaloveschocolate

Yip, its a bowl for me too! And when you only have a single sink, using a bowl is more practical, pour the leftover tea down the side before dropping the mug in the bowl.

Simples!

Stephen_Leak

Another vote for a bowl. But you still have to keep it and the sink clean. Someone may have just volunteered himself for this.

PS. You know batch cooking. I've invented batch washing-up.

BitterAndTwisted

Eh, keeping the bowl clean inside and out isn't a chore that's beyond the skills of an experienced housekeeper. I'd be really rather vexed about having a self-appointed expert lecturing me from the sidelines about hygiene in a kitchen. I'm sure Snowy Owl's isn't like Porton Down!

jamespir

i used to use a bowl but i found food always used to stick to the bottomof it and they were a nightmare to clean properly so i use the sink now

Kiwisaver_2

I guess we inherit these ideas and habits from our parents. Like my mother, I used to be a real fan of a washing up bowl and couldn't figure how others managed without one. Yet, others I know are disgusted by them or are really averse, depending on what they are taught I suppose. My OH used to be quite anti-washing up bowl.

I found it no more of a chore than cleaning the sink and would simply brush the bottom of the bowl and the sink with a dose of bleach every so often and then fill both with water for a soak.

I don't however have one anymore, as couldn't find one suitable for our sink and then just got used to being without. The dregs go down the waste disposal so that's no longer an issue. I guess if I went back now I would see it as one more thing to keep clean. We have a dishwasher also these days, so there's not so much being washed by hand.

MandM90

We don't have one as I don't think they are necessary and, in general, if it's not necessary I don't like it cluttering up my space! I also think they look a bit manky but as long as they are cleaned as well as a sink then they shouldn't be germ ridden, and I can definitely see your point about delicate glasses.

Why don't you say you'll go basin-less if he takes over the all washing up duties

Sambucus_Nigra

Can't stand them. I prefer everything to drain away and be rinsed through rather than having to clean the bottom of the bowl all the time. Bleugh.

angeltreats

Callie22 wrote: »

I also have horrible childhood memories of throwing up in a washing up bowl, so I always think they smell sicky, even when they don't.

Same here! I suffered from migraines during my childhood and washing up bowls bring back awful memories of sitting in tears on my parents' bed, unable to see because the pain was so bad, being sick into a washing up bowl (it was a special one kept for that purpose, they didn't then use it for doing the washing up!).

Another reason I don't like them is that you lose a bit of space in the sink, so if you then have to wash something big (chopping board, big baking sheet etc) it won't fit in the sink.