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Post by Alexandra on Jun 25, 2008 21:09:45 GMT -5
When I first got married, at 20, I was overwhelmed with trying to keep house, even in a small apartment. My mother-in-law had advice for all those dirty dishes--Soak as much as you can in a sink, and what you can't fit in a sink, find a bucket, fill it with hot water and dish soap, and soak the rest. That way they'll be quicker and easier to wash. I've been married almost 15 years now and since we've pared down, I haven't had to resort to that in years. Now the counter just gets taken up if I get behind.  My major issue is dishes...with an ankle that kills me sometimes and a young son that gets into EVERYTHING if my back is turned, I do get behind. I've tried standing on one foot and resting my right leg on a chair, but then it kills my left foot. My ankle is feeling fine tonight, so I've been going at it on and off all day and don't have that much to go! My husband works second shift and I know he appreciates having a bowl to nuke ravioli in when he gets off work! |
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Post by BDG on Jun 26, 2008 2:36:06 GMT -5
Great tip, I always used to soak mine for a bit in hot soapy water, to get them clean and make it easier on me too. I still do, though I now have a dishwasher, but my water pressure is not the greatest so I always wash my pots and pans by hand, I have a scrub brush, that does wonders to, then stick them in the dishwasher. The cups and plates come clean without any help.
My SIL keeps a dishpan full of water and soap (starts out hot but by the end of the day it is cold) and washes hers as she uses them and then sits them down in the sink, and then when she has a sinkful she runs it full of the hottest water she can get out of her faucet and drops in a bit bleach to kill germs and some soap. (you must be careful, some of the major common dish soaps do not mix well with bleach, so read the labels if you do this)
She lets them sit in the water until it is warm and then she rinses them, she says this way it is easier and she never has dirty dishes with anything drying on them, by washing them one or two pieces at a time she does not have to stand at the sink very long. She has major health issues and this works for her. So you might try this method and see if it works for you, that way you would not have to be on your feet so long.
I used to go barefoot all of the time, and though I did not think it would make any difference I started wearing my fake crocs and it help the pain of my arthritis a lot, the shoes are light to where you almost feel like you are going barefoot, but there is a lot of cushion in the shoe and it helps a lot.
Why does your ankle hurt? Is it from an old injury? Maybe you could wear an ankle support elastic type thing, I have seen them in the pharmacy.
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Post by Alexandra on Jun 29, 2008 6:52:39 GMT -5
I like to soak my dishes in nice, soapy hot water before washing them...much easier to wash.
I don't have to use an empty trash container to soak them...I just use the other side of the sink.
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Post by heylady1 on Jun 29, 2008 9:12:21 GMT -5
This is one area that I don't have problems with. I guess it was drilled into me for so long and from such a young age that doing dishes is second nature! Dishes and glasses are simply rinsed before putting in the sink. Even if it's very quick, the water will help loosen things for later on. Pans that have burnt on food or are very greasy are another story. One of my fav things to do is put water and a drop of dish soap in the pan and put it back on the stove. If you have an electric stove, the remaining heat will be enough. A gas stove will need to have the flame put back on very low, and just long enough for the water to heat up. By the time you get to the pan, the residue will be easy to remove with a spatula right into the garbarge can.
BTW, always a good idea to keep a grease jar under the sink (with lid) to pour any grease from cooking into the jar as opposed to pouring it down the sink! When the jar is full just throw it away.
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Post by ramatama on Jun 29, 2008 9:19:59 GMT -5
BTW, always a good idea to keep a grease jar under the sink (with lid) to pour any grease from cooking into the jar as opposed to pouring it down the sink! When the jar is full just throw it away. What i do is cut open the top of an empty milk carton or juice carton and use that. Sometimes i don't even wait till its full, just to get smell of old grease out of the kitchen. |
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hollymaid
New Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 99
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Post by hollymaid on Jun 29, 2008 12:43:24 GMT -5
for grease I use a large coffee can with a lid and store it in the freezer until its full and than toss it.
I like the Idea of pairing down the dishes to what you need a setting for each family member. (I have not done this cause I really don't have a space to store the extra dishes and the boys would just drag them out again anyway) The Idea is that you have to wash the dishes if you would like to have them for your next meal or drink.
I soak my dishes in hot soapy water. When I am at home to make a meal I use plastic bag to line my large bowl on the kitchen counter, this way I have a handy garbage to put trimmings peals, empty packages. Makes cleaning up a snap. I also, fill my sink up with hot water and wash my pots as soon as I am done with them that way I really only have to deal with serving dishes and place settings after dinner.
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Post by eagle on Jun 29, 2008 19:57:10 GMT -5
Alexandra, is it possible to get a tall stool to sit upon whilst doing dishes? Or a padded kitchen chair with the back turned to the side and stand on your knees? You probably can't stand on your knees, even on a padded chair seat for very long, but if you alternated this with standing, it may help.
For all: Regarding the grease in a jar. Absolutely. Do not pour grease down the sink. It causes problems in the sewer systems in your city and closer to home, it causes your pipes to clog sooner than they should, causing unnecessary plumbing bills. Sewage backups in city sewer systems are due partially to grease and food particles that go into the system and narrow the pipes a lot like atherosclerosis in the arteries caused by cholesterol.
We have a grease trap at the restaurant, which I have cleaned out, and let me tell you, what grease and food debris do inside of the plumbing is downright vile to see, smell and deal with. So, a word of advise. Never pour grease down your kitchen sink. Put it in a container to collect and put into the regular garbage. If you don't want the odor to accumulate in your kitchen, you can add it to kitty litter (that's what we do with grease trap disposal) or keep a lid on it and throw it out that way.
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Post by messysue on Jun 29, 2008 23:14:08 GMT -5
Usually I just wipe the grease out of a pan with paper towels. If there's enough to pour I pour it in a empty can. Then the can goes in the trash.
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