10 Ways to Make Washing Dishes Suck Less

Washing dishes is THE worst. I mean it ranks up there with laundry on the list of chores that I hate doing. But alas, it’s a dirty job, and someone has to do it. If you can get away with it not being you, then cheers! But don’t rub it in. For the rest of us that are still faced with this less than desirable task, here are some tips to make it maybe, hopefully, a little bit better.

Wash As You Go

Wash dishes as you make dinner, or immediately after. Not only will you be motivated by your yummy dinner, but washing in small bathes seems a lot more manageable. So in those idle moments waiting for the water to boil, or the sauce to thicken, clean up some of the prep plates so all you have left will be a large pot or the plates you ate on.

Cut Back On How Many Dished You Have

Survey says...4. Having four of each plate, bowl, spoon, fork, cup should be sufficient, unless you have a large family. Limiting the number of items you even possess will prevent a mass dirty dish build up. You could even just have one of each per person. Think about it, you would be forced to clean it up immediately after so you had it ready for your next meal!

Have a Buddy System

Maybe you alternate with a roommate or partner on who does the dishes. Or perhaps one is the cooker and the other the cleaner. I’m sure there is a long list of other ways to buddy up in an attempt to lessen the load. Whatever route you take, it’s better with a buddy.

Make It More Enjoyable

Pump up your jams! Turn on a podcast. Bust out the laptop or tablet and Netflix and wash. Look, we know it sucks, but adding something fun or that you enjoy to the routine will take your mind off the task at hand.

Stick to One Pot Recipes

Make a meal in the good ol’ crock pot, then you only have to wash that. Or incorporate meals that only require you to use one or two pans/pots or even better...sheet pan meals. With sheet pan meals you line the pan with foil, so there is often nothing to wash!

Let Everything Soak in Soapy Water

Rinse everything immediately and then either fill up a pot or your sink with soapy water and let it all soak. Then maybe go and eat your dinner. This will dramatically decrease your wash time, and will eliminate almost all of the scrubbing. You’re welcome.

Don’t Let It Sit Overnight

Don’t even do this with the worst of the worst pans. This is more of a mental hurdle than anything. But once something has sat for that amount of time it makes it really hard to check back in and take care of it.

Accessorize...with Rubber Gloves

Hear me out on this one. Rubber gloves seriously do make washing dishes better. Well, maybe not better, but less sad. It could be the barrier the rubber provides keeping the dishwater away from your precious hands.  

Splurge on the Soap

You can also try splurging for a soap that has a scent you enjoy. Think of it as a mini spa aromatherapy session. Come on, use that imagination.

Remind Yourself of the Consequences

And if all else fails you can just think of the pesky pests that you’ll be sharing your home with if you don’t do the dishes.

Now go forth, and wash those dishes like a champ.