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Washing/drying dishes (by-hand)

(77 Posts)
Grannypanties Wed 17-Dec-25 19:53:52

Any others still wash and dry dishes by hand?

I do. Roughly 45 years and counting, with no intentions on stopping. Have a modern day electric dishwasher, can't stand using it.

Granmarderby10 Thu 05-Feb-26 13:55:56

I don’t mind handwashing the pots but I always end up with a wet front after a vigorous session!
When I’m on a roll I go with it and wash everything that’s not nailed down.

pably15 Thu 05-Feb-26 13:45:07

never had a dishwasher,never wanted one...oh well that's not true, I do have a dishwasher, he's 84 today, and I've baked him a birthday cake

shysal Thu 05-Feb-26 13:25:16

When I moved into my present house, as a single person, there were gaps for 2 appliances in the kitchen. I chose to have a washing machine and a tumble drier. I have never regretted being without a dishwasher. I always wash up straight after eating and leave to drain, putting away before bedtime. Cat dishes and my favourite dinner plate stay in the drainer as they are in use several times a day.

Calendargirl Thu 05-Feb-26 11:05:04

I wash by hand, never had a dishwasher,

I don’t rinse anything after washing, just put in drainer then dry with tea towel.

We are still here.

MT62 Thu 05-Feb-26 11:02:38

Half n half. Still wash certain things by hand, but mainly use my dishwasher.
I believe the dishwasher uses less water.
Plus if I did everything by hand I would have to rinse everything in hot water.
So I think the dishwasher has to be more economical.
There are small work top dishwashers available, whether they are any good, or not is anyone’s guess.

Marbelous Thu 05-Feb-26 10:15:44

I had dishwashers from the 70s onwards. Then marriage broke up and I had to rent properties, most of which had no dishwashers.

After 5 years of renting I’ve now bought a mini dishwasher that sits neatly on the draining board. To those that say their dishes are still damp after the cycle finishes, you should open the door slightly just after a wash and leave for a while. I’ve never had the problem.

GrannyIvy Thu 18-Dec-25 06:09:19

I wouldn’t be without my dishwasher, some things I do prefer to wash by hand such as cut glass, melamine bowls and best China but I feel it definitely has a place in my kitchen and makes life easier

rosie1959 Thu 18-Dec-25 05:57:57

We have had a dishwasher for the last 40 years (not the same one lol) I do tend to wash saucepans and larger items by hand as they take up more room.

Mollygo Thu 18-Dec-25 05:37:00

BlueBelle our dishwasher takes 29 minutes and water hotter than I can bear, to do a whole day’s dishes including pans and airfryer drawers even when DGC are staying.
I suspect that when the whole family was here, it took longer than 10 minutes per meal to wash, rinse and and stack - well actually there wasn’t room on the drainer to stack when we’d used pans etc.
When we're on holiday in gîtes or cottages a dishwasher is the first thing we check. Washing up is not a happy holiday task.
Fortunately we can all, finance and space permitting, have a dishwasher or do without if that’s what we prefer.

MayBee70 Thu 18-Dec-25 00:27:50

So, do us washer uppers have a set routine? I know I do. When I'm at my partners he always does the washing up and I try not to get too agitated but must admit to sometimes rewashing things if I can do it without him seeing me...at least I've got him to rinse everything instead of leaving things to drain covered in soap suds. The new Fairy product Skip the Soak has made me happy beyond belief. I think it was developed just for me.

MayBee70 Thu 18-Dec-25 00:22:33

Mollygo

That’s funny about drying with a tea-towel which doesn’t have to be clean in order to be hygienic.
Just as well really because our tea towels only got washed once or twice a week and were handled by children, not known for their scrupulous cleanliness.
And we’re still here to tell the tale.

I guess it's down to the way that bacteria need moisture of some kind to replicate? And if a plate is totally dry it won't harbour bacteria. whereas if it's left to air dry with moisture on it the bacteria will survive.

Wyllow3 Thu 18-Dec-25 00:07:16

Oh, I like marigold gloves.

BlueBelle Wed 17-Dec-25 23:43:21

I wash up by hand see no need at all to use up half an hour or more of electricity for something I can do in ten minutes by hand
Leave them to drain and dry themselves
Would hate a washer All that sorting, rinsing, stacking then waiting for it to churn around for ages when it could’ve done and dusted ages before

I ve never used any kind of gloves can’t stand feeing them on my hands

Mollygo Wed 17-Dec-25 23:17:13

That’s funny about drying with a tea-towel which doesn’t have to be clean in order to be hygienic.
Just as well really because our tea towels only got washed once or twice a week and were handled by children, not known for their scrupulous cleanliness.
And we’re still here to tell the tale.

Grannypanties Wed 17-Dec-25 22:19:51

keepcalmandcavachon

I rather like washing /clearing away as I go. A long time ago I was given a dishwasher as a surprise and promptly surprised the giver by giving it backgrin.

You and me both, Keepcalmandcavachon!

Big meals especially!

kittylester Wed 17-Dec-25 22:04:37

keepcalmandcavachon

I rather like washing /clearing away as I go. A long time ago I was given a dishwasher as a surprise and promptly surprised the giver by giving it backgrin.

I clear away as I go - into the dishwasher. Out of sight, out of mind.

MayBee70 Wed 17-Dec-25 21:59:16

There was an article about drying dishes on Tomorrow’s World ( that’s a blast from the past) that said dishes were more germ free if dried straight away with a tea towel than left to dry on the rack. It’s one of those rare snippets that I’ve remembered over the years ( I have a terrible memory and it often baffles me as to why strange things stay in my mind when other, probably more important things are gone forever confused). I think it said it didn’t necessarily have to be a spotlessly clean tea towel, either. Having said that I still leave most things to drain so that is a bit of a waste of a section of my memory bank isn’t it…

henetha Wed 17-Dec-25 21:58:45

I wash dishes by hand but don't dry them. They drain on the drainer thing. Then I just put them away.
Always done this, never had a dishwasher.

keepcalmandcavachon Wed 17-Dec-25 21:50:35

I rather like washing /clearing away as I go. A long time ago I was given a dishwasher as a surprise and promptly surprised the giver by giving it backgrin.

25Avalon Wed 17-Dec-25 21:43:27

I wouldn’t be without mine. If you are dashing out after a meal it’s a psychological boost to clear everything quickly into the machine. Also the temperature it washes at means your dishes are more hygienic than you can achieve by hand.

Georgesgran Wed 17-Dec-25 21:37:12

I think I’ve had dishwashers since the mid ‘70’s, the first being a rounded model that sat on a worktop. We eventually sold it before we moved and the couple who bought it insisted on staying (2hours!!) to make sure it was working properly!
I’m on my own now, but I still use mine a couple of times a week and if it broke down, I’d definitely get another.

Grannypanties Wed 17-Dec-25 21:36:52

AN41

Granniepanties, where would we be without our marigolds?
If you ever spot full arm's length ones please let me know.

Oh, I am so with you, AN41! Yes!

Will do!

kittylester Wed 17-Dec-25 21:33:07

I have had dishwashers for 50 years. I'm not about to stop now.

I had wash wooden chopping boards, wine glasses and kitchen knives. I don't rinse before I put things in either.

It will come into its own on Crhristmas Day or anytime we have family or guests.

AN41 Wed 17-Dec-25 21:25:54

Granniepanties, where would we be without our marigolds?
If you ever spot full arm's length ones please let me know.

Grannypanties Wed 17-Dec-25 21:25:17

AN41

.....the whole garment, not just the sleeve. grin

You have me beat! grin