Cleaning up after a big holiday meal can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can become more manageable.
Remember, cleaning up after a holiday meal is a shared responsibility, and it’s okay to ask for help or delegate tasks.
By approaching the task systematically and following these tips, you can make holiday dish cleanup more manageable and enjoy the festivities without worry.
Holiday Dish-Washing Tips
Start with an Empty Dishwasher.
Empty the dishwasher before starting the dish-washing process to have space for loading dishwasher-safe items.
Practice Good Sink Management:
Keep your sink clean and free of stacks of dishes to have ample space for washing.
Use Good Dish Soap:
Use premium, grease-cutting dish soap to tackle tough cleaning jobs effectively.
Use the Right Sponges and Scrubbers for the Job:
Have specialty sponges, scrubbers, and brushes on hand to clean special occasion dishes and cookware.
Have Dish Towels on Hand:
Ensure you have enough dish towels for draining and drying hand-washed items.
Paper Towels Have Their Place Too:
Use paper towels to wipe out greasy pans before washing or to dry pots and pans with residual grease.
Work in Order:
Follow a general order for washing dishes, such as starting with glassware, plates, flatware, serving dishes, and pots and pans.
Utensil Management:
Soak utensils in a dishpan with dish soap and hot water to break down grease and food residue.
Save Scorched Pots:
Use baking soda and boiling water to remove stubborn, stuck-on food from pans without vigorous scrubbing.
Rescue Sheet Pans and Baking Dishes:
Use a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner to tackle greasy or stuck-on messes on baking dishes or sheet pans.
Avoid Hot Water with Starch or Dairy:
Rinse pots, pans, and serving dishes used for starchy or dairy-based foods with cool water to prevent them from becoming stickier.
Dry as You Go:
Enlist someone to help with drying, or wash and dry dishes in batches to avoid a backlog of wet items.
By following these tips, you can streamline the dishwashing process and make it more manageable during the busy holiday season.
*The information is for reference only.