Here are three reasons why you should take a short break to organize before starting dishwashing.

Preventing grease from solidifying

Immediately after a meal, grease and oil on dishes are still warm and liquid. A common mistake many people make is to quickly rinse them with cold water, believing it will clean them.

This action often backfires. When exposed to cold water, the grease immediately solidifies, adhering firmly to ceramic surfaces. Consequently, you must scrub harder, using more hot water and twice the amount of detergent to clean them.

The best solution is to scrape off food scraps and use a paper towel to wipe away the grease before it dries and hardens. Only then should you begin washing.

It is advisable to use a basin of warm water and wash dishes in order from the cleanest to the dirtiest. Photo: Nytimes

Preventing cross-contamination

The habit of stacking all dishes together to carry them to the kitchen is a primary cause of cross-contamination, making cleanup more difficult.

When placing a less greasy bowl on top of a sauce-filled plate, you inadvertently soil the bottom of the clean bowl. Instead of just thoroughly washing two dirty plates, you now have to scrub an entire stack of bowls.

Jessica Ek, an expert from the American Cleaning Institute, recommends sorting and following a specific washing order: first, glasses and cups; next, chopsticks and spoons; then, bowls and dinner plates; and finally, pots, pans, and cooking vessels. Washing items from least soiled to greasiest helps the water in the basin stay cleaner longer, preventing odors from the start.

Reducing chemical exposure

The desire for "squeaky clean" dishes leads many to apply a large amount of dish soap directly onto a sponge. However, excessively high chemical concentrations are not only difficult to rinse off, leaving residue on dishes, but also directly erode skin, causing dryness or atopic dermatitis.

Instead, adopt the "two-basin" method: one basin of warm water with diluted detergent for cleaning, and another basin of clean water for rinsing. The diluted solution, combined with warm temperatures, is effective at removing grease while being safer for health.

In summary, do not rush into the "battle" with grease immediately after eating. Try adopting a slower process: scrape off food scraps, and soak pots and pans with dried rice in warm water for about 10-15 minutes to soften the stains. Those who have shifted from "wash immediately, wash quickly" to "organize then wash" report significantly lighter and more economical household chores.

Bao Nhien (According to Aboluowang)