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Original poster

Lighthearted ... Disagreement re washing up by hand ...

55 replies

nodishwasher · 07/03/2025 14:06

Lighthearted disagreement ...

Our dishwasher has just packed up!

We are currently washing up by hand (not an issue).

My DP and I disagree about drying up, so out of interest would like opinions.

Do the majority of people wash up and then leave it all on the side to air dry or do you dry up with a tea towel?

One of us wants the washing up put away immediately and the other thinks it's a waste of time to dry up!

Realistically, it's no big deal! There's so many more important things to worry about!

OP posts:
thistimelastweek · 07/03/2025 14:08

I would leave to air dry.
Less effort and I hate wet teatowels.

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 07/03/2025 14:10

I have an Italian friend who has a cupboard over the sink with vents in the bottom so you put the wet dishes in there to drip dry but they are out of sight.

That seems the best solution to me (that isn't a dishwasher).

LindorDoubleChoc · 07/03/2025 14:10

I like glasses to be dried straight away, everything else can air dry.

Ferrazzuoli · 07/03/2025 14:11

#TeamAirDry

WorriedRelative · 07/03/2025 14:11

Air drying is supposed to be more hygienic

SkankingWombat · 07/03/2025 14:12

Leave it to air dry, but if one person feels strongly about drying up and putting everything away immediately, they are welcome to crack on. Just don't involve me or expect a medal for it!

Mightymoog · 07/03/2025 14:23

I've been on a number of food hygiene courses and by far best practise is to allow dishes to air dry

Onlyvisiting · 07/03/2025 14:25

Air dry 100%. Unless you have too much to fit in the drainer.
Imo hand drying dishes is a pointless as ironing clothes. Life is way too short for that!

TheMorels · 07/03/2025 14:27

I reckon I last washed up when I was at uni in the 90s, but I think air drying must be preferable. Drying with a tea towel seems unsanitary.

MinnieMountain · 07/03/2025 14:30

I dry up big things like pans. Everything else is air dry.

madaffodil · 07/03/2025 14:30

It depends how much of it there is. If there is loads, and I will tend to dry the glasses at the start to make more room on the drainer, and at the end when there's no room left, I'll dry the last few pots and pans. I am much more efficient at stacking the drainer than DH - by the time he's finished it looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.😂

CherryMarigold · 07/03/2025 14:30

With a working dishwasher and only a few things to hand wash air dry all the way, unless there's a draining board jenga situation.

However with a lot of dishes to do or in the absence of a dishwasher I will advocate for drying up if it means the task is spread fairly.
For example when one DC washes another dries, or if I wash up, DH dries or he'd no doubt conveniently be in bed or at work by the time the dishes were dry.

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 07/03/2025 14:32

Air dry.

If you rinse in really hot water, they dry much quicker.

CherryMarigold · 07/03/2025 14:33

Drying with a tea towel seems unsanitary.
Classic MN!

Darkclothes · 07/03/2025 14:34

Air dry!

I HATE using a teatowel to dry. Little bits always come off the towel, it then gets wet and manky.

I also have terrible memories of MIL's teatowels which were used for a multitude- drying the dishes, mopping up spills on the floor and work benches, drying her hands etc- yes, all with the 1 towel 😮

takehimjolene · 07/03/2025 14:41

Ideally my preference would be air drying (less effort and more hygenic). BUT that only works if you only have a small amount of washing up and don't need to use the sink near the draining board for other things before the washing up is dry.

Airdrying does not work if you are washing up after a big family meal and end up with precariously balance mountains of dishes (or wet dishes on other surfaces) and/or if people are going to be using the kitchen sink for other things and splashing the clean dishes with water (or worse).

summersingsinme · 07/03/2025 14:47

It depends for me - if there is loads of washing up, or I know I won't have time to put it away next time I use the kitchen and would then have a build up of dirty crockery, I dry it and put it away.

If it's just a few bits, I leave it to dry. DH likes to play Jenga with his washing up so it's never properly dry and you have to use a tea towel anyway.

Why do people thing it's unsanitary? Are you not washing your tea towels? If you leave it to dry naturally, it's going to get dust etc dropping on it - can't see why that would be any better.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 07/03/2025 14:54

I hate washing up. HATE IT with a passion. Would swap any job for it.... we used to have a dishwasher and no washing machine (only space for one) and I took the clothes to the laundrette rather than washing up. HATE IT A LOT.

mickandrorty · 07/03/2025 14:54

one of us will wash the other will dry, the tea towel goes in the washing machine, get a fresh one out ready for the morning, job done!

valder · 07/03/2025 15:09

I dry off pots, pans and big bowls with some kitchen paper or a tea towel, then I put the rest on a draining rack which will air dry very quickly and can hold loads. I do finish glasses off with a rub around with kitchen towel.

That's what I do and then it's done. No waiting for the dishwasher and then having to unload THAT. I do have a dishwasher which I only use if I have a crowd around.

Lookingforwardto2025 · 07/03/2025 15:12

Air dry

DustyLee123 · 07/03/2025 15:13

I was told air drying is healthier as tea towels can carry germs.

valder · 07/03/2025 15:16

DustyLee123 · 07/03/2025 15:13

I was told air drying is healthier as tea towels can carry germs.

Only if you wipe the floor/countertops/wipe your nose/the kids noses with it before drying the dishes 😊

Anyway, air dry is the right way IMO. It's easy and it does it all by itself!

LetMeGoogleThat · 07/03/2025 15:41

1 person washing up = Air dry

2 people washing up = Dry and put away.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 07/03/2025 15:55

Hairdryer as more hygienic