It is also one of the tasks I manage to keep on top of, at least most days.

I thought I’d share my process in case it helps someone else.

Before I start, I do work from home, so my process works when you have some time to break the task into smaller steps.

The first thing I do is stack any plates and bowls in the sink, in order of size so they fit neatly. I also put any cutlery in the sink, though any sharp knives are left on the side. These collect during the day or couple of days between washes.

Any mugs, glasses, saucepans, or anything else is piled on the sideboard ready to be washed.

When I’m ready, often it’s when I’m having a break in work and waiting for the kettle to boil, I will fill the water with very hot, soapy water, and put any mugs and glasses that can fit in the sink too. I make sure the sink is full and all the dishes are covered with water. Then I move on and do something else. Step one done.

Later, when the water has cooled to a temperature I can put my hands in, I wash what is in the sink. This has all been soaking so it’s fairly simple to wipe everything over and put it in the rack. I then wash what is on the side. Sometimes I will put a saucepan in to soak while I go away and do something else.

I wash as many dishes as I can stack in the drying rack!

If there are dishes that still need washing and I have run out of room, I often leave them for next time. Occasionally, I will dry a few things to make sure there is room, but more often than not, I leave them, sometimes with some water so they can soak until next time I do the dishes.

Once I have washed everything, I empty the sink and leave the dishes to dry on their own.

The dishes are put away in stages. Often when I come to boil the kettle, I will put away a few dishes. I just make sure they all away before it’s time to wash the next lot of dishes.

This may seem like a long process, however it works for me. By breaking it down into stages like this, it doesn’t seem like such a big job, and the dishes get done most days.

Sometimes, it’s two days before the dishes are done, mostly due to my own energy levels. With only two of us in the house, we don’t build up a huge amount of dishes.

I hope this can help with some strategies for staying on top of the dishes, bit by bit.

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