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Original poster

How long does it take you to tidy up after dinner?

56 replies

Kinsters · 05/08/2021 15:47

Just that really.

I don't have a dishwasher and it takes me about 30 minutes to wash up, tidy/clean the kitchen and clean the table (including toddler DD's highchair). Would I save loads of time with a dishwasher? How long does it take you to tidy up?

OP posts:

Hopdathelf · 05/08/2021 15:50

Two minutes but I’m a clean cook. Get up from table, walk to dishwasher, put dishes in, wash hands, done.

Floralnomad · 05/08/2021 15:51

We have a dishwasher , takes me about 2/3 minutes .

LysistrataVickers · 05/08/2021 15:52

5-10 minutes depending on if the dishwasher has been emptied from the previous wash!

Hemingwaycat · 05/08/2021 15:53

Depends who cooked. If I cooked then around 10-15 minutes because I tend to wash up as I go so most cooking utensils will already be clean. It’s just a case of washing plates and cutlery, perhaps the big pots and pans and cleaning up toddler, baby and baby’s highchair.

If DH has cooked it’s another story entirely. For some reason he doesn’t wash up as he goes so everything needs cleaning, the sides always have loads of food splashed all over them so also need cleaning and he usually leaves the herbs and other ingredients spread out everywhere. Also tends to leave veg peelings out and empty packets, very annoying.

SavoyCabbage · 05/08/2021 15:54

About four minutes with all four of us helping. Everything in the dishwasher and pans etc. washed, dried and put away. Table and benches wiped.

RubyFakeLips · 05/08/2021 16:00

5-10 mins max, including a quick hoover and wiping down kitchen, table and chairs, but I don't have toddlers any more.

Takes me minutes to empty the dishwasher later. I've often done it in an ad break. I wouldn't live or stay anywhere without a dishwasher since getting one 20 years ago. But I have a large family and loathe washing up. Can the highchair tray go in a dishwasher?

TSSDNCOP · 05/08/2021 16:06

Yep, less than 10 minutes even when I've made a proper mess. Buy the dishwasher.

Original poster

Kinsters · 05/08/2021 16:07

Oh wow ok, I think I need a dishwasher! Although the last couple of days when I've been paying attention to how long it took the cooking has been a bit messier than usual! I'm normally a tidy cook but have had a few disaster days on the trot.

Highchair has a mat that comes off the tray so pretty easy to clean.

OP posts:

Original poster

Kinsters · 05/08/2021 16:08

I just don't know where I'd put it...the kitchen isn't that big. Trying to think which cupboard I can get rid of.

OP posts:

TigersandTeddybears · 05/08/2021 16:12

Fucking ages, with or without a dishwasher.

UserStillatLarge · 05/08/2021 16:13

I think the key is more to clear up as you go along then automatically thinking getting a dishwasher is the solution. If you're literally washing the plates and cutlery you've used to eat plus a pan and baking tray (say), it won't take that long.
And once the DC are over about 6, get them to wipe the table and/or surfaces.

RubyFakeLips · 05/08/2021 16:13

Put it next to where most of your crockery and cookware is, ideally cutlery too, but makes unpacking it super quick. Also useful if you can have the food bin the other side or nearby makes filling happen in one zone too.

Anoisagusaris · 05/08/2021 16:14

Ages, and I have dishwasher!

Original poster

Kinsters · 05/08/2021 16:21

@UserStillatLarge

I think the key is more to clear up as you go along then automatically thinking getting a dishwasher is the solution. If you're literally washing the plates and cutlery you've used to eat plus a pan and baking tray (say), it won't take that long. And once the DC are over about 6, get them to wipe the table and/or surfaces.

I do that as much as I can, still seems to take ages.

OP posts:

MeanMrMustardSeed · 05/08/2021 16:35

@TigersandTeddybears

Fucking ages, with or without a dishwasher.

Phew! I was beginning to worry that I am the only one. Can easily take me 45 mins. We have a dishwasher too!

SoundBar · 05/08/2021 16:42

I got rid of the drawers and cut the base out, which gave enough space for a slim line dishwasher. I was skeptical it would be big enough for 4 but actually it's surprisingly capacious and washes really well! Also being smaller uses less water, and usually get away with half a dishwasher tablet

I got the basic Currys one, plumbed it in myself by adding a metal Y piece to the existing sink plumbing, absolute bargain.

I keep the cutlery in pots on the windowsill. Hang the wooden spoons, peeler etc inside a cupboard on hooks. For the chopping knives I glued a magnetic knife rack inside the other cupboard door.

ExpressDelivery · 05/08/2021 16:44

Less than 10 mins including wiping over all the sides and the table and cleaning the sink, but I do most of it as I go along while I'm cooking.

The dishwasher does save some time, but only really the plates and glasses as most pots and pans are done by hand anyway

cleckheatonwanderer · 05/08/2021 21:17

I don't have a dishwasher and tonight I out Bluey on for DS, washed plates, glasses and cutlery for 4 people, 3 pans, a colander and a couple of utensils then dried and put them all away before DS had finished the 2nd episode. So in less than 10 mins.

A dishwasher would save me absolutely no time.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 05/08/2021 21:18

@TigersandTeddybears

Fucking ages, with or without a dishwasher.

Agreed! It’s young children and high chairs (the tables Don’t go in the dishwasher) that take the time!

MotionActivatedDog · 05/08/2021 21:21

Dishwasher and no small children here. I clean as I cook and try and use as few pots and pans as possible. We all scrape out own plates and stick them in the dishwasher. So all I have to do is wipe counters and table, put a tablet in the dishwasher and empty the bin. Less than 5 minute job.

TheChosenTwo · 05/08/2021 21:26

Can take ages here even with a dishwasher.
Not when I cook as I’m very unadventurous and tend to stick to just one pot or pan, one chopping board, one knife etc but Dh is the person who cooks mostly because I hate it and he loves it.
However he cooks a feast pretty much every night including a bread of some kind to go with it and three sides and uses pretty much every single kitchen implement we own. It’s usually 2 dishwashers worth of stuff!

DrunkenKoala · 05/08/2021 21:31

Less than 10 mins to load dishwasher, wipe table and worktops. I clean as I go as others have said.

NorthernDramaLlama · 05/08/2021 21:38

Depends on the meal. Tonight we had take away so DC wiped and put away the table and I did lunch and dinner dishes in 5 mins. I'm a tidy cook so wash as I go normally. With the exception of Christmas Dinner / extended family bbqs and buffets I've never spent more than 10 minutes tidying up. (and the 'big' meals would be faster if I didn't refuse to use disposable cutlery, bowls and plates!)

Thoughtcontagion · 05/08/2021 21:41

I cook DP washes up, I do clean as I go so it’s not too bad, if he’s pissed me off I don’t clean as I go.

Roughly 20 mins

Pegasusmail · 05/08/2021 21:44

Less than 10 mins. Have a dishwasher but I soak a lot of pots and use a dishmatic.

Also I tend to batch cook so there are a lot of nights I just need to boil some baby potatoes and throw a few frozen peas on. So say on a Sunday when I cook a roast and also batch cook it could be an hour.

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