Washing Dishes by Hand

Scrape extra food into the trash can and

rinse dishes to remove any sauces or liquids.  A rubber scraper (spatula) works well.  

Stack your dishes carefully on the counter.  (Large dishes go on the bottom.)

*You do not want any bits of food floating in your clean dishwater.  

Put the stopper in the sink to prevent the water from draining out. 

Turn on the WARM water. (You want the temperature to be as warm as you can stand, but not too hot to put your hands in.)

Add dishwashing soap under the running water (it’s blue in our room) and swish it around to make bubbles! - You need about a quarter sized amount of soap.

Begin to wash each dish, one at a time.  

Wash in this order:

1. Glassware

2. Silverware - do not leave knives in water

3. Plates, cups, saucers

4. Serving dishes

5. Pots and pans - soak if needed. 

Do not place cold glass in hot water. It could shatter!

Use a washcloth and make sure you wash all parts of the dish (top, bottom, inside, outside).

Rinse the clean dish in warm water over the EMPTY SINK.  (You don’t want to add more water to your soapy dishwater.)

Place the clean dish in the dish drainer. 

Carefully dry each dish, using a large dish cloth, before you put them away. Put the dishes in their correct place in the cabinet or drawer. 

*Wet dishes can grow mold.  Make sure you thoroughly dry every part of each dish!  

Drain the water from the sink.  Make sure you rinse all the bubbles down the drain.

Use your dish towel to dry out the sink so it sparkles.  

Place your dish cloth and your dish towel in the dirty laundry hamper. 

*The cloths and towels must be kept separate at school! Ask an adult where to put wet cloths and towels at home.