7 Dish Washing Tips for Super Stars Without Dishwashers

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Where the dish magic happens in my kitchen.

My friend Eden requested a dish washing recipe. I don't have one, but I do have some suggestions:

1. The best "green" hand dishwashing liquid brands are Trader Joe's and Seventh Generation. This is based on my experience which I admit is somewhat limited because once I discover something works I don't stray.
2. Baking soda is great at assisting with the cleaning of tough pots and pans. 
3. Dish cloth or sponge? The jury is still out. Both seem to be safe as long as you use heat (microwave, boiling water, dishwasher) to kill the germs shacking up in them. Use whichever feels the best to you and roll with it. 
4. You've probably noticed it's harder to clean a dish once the remains of food and sauce have been chilling out for a while. If you don't like cleaning dishes to be hard--and why would you-- do the dishes right after your meal or at least rinse them off really well.
5. Protect your hands, Goddess! Cover your glamourizers with a pair of rubber gloves. If you're not going to wear gloves (I admit I don't), at least massage with hand salve or shea butter after washing. Detergents are all about stripping oils, my friends, and they can't distinguish between your pots and your skin. 
6. Do whatever it takes to make the time spent dishwashing enjoyable. I spend about an hour a day handwashing dishes. That's an effing long time to be miserable, so each day I decide to have fun instead. I appreciate the adorable little knick-knacks decorating the windowsill I face while washing. I listen to inspirational lectures or the Wendy Williams Show. I burn a scented candle.
7. I only wash dishes when I feel like it. Washing dishes when you are tired from a long day of work, sick, or otherwise exhausted sucks. If you live with others, get everyone in the house to rinse off the dishes after eating and deal with it when you can. Better yet, ask someone else to help out (especially if you're sick, germykins). Try "bartering" your dish washing services for something that you will enjoy like a home-cooked meal or NetFlix viewing queue domination.

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning.   

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