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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking this isnt normal?

75 replies

laptopdancer · 04/12/2011 12:58

I seem to have to wash up at least 8-10 times a day (or DH does). Its not the washing so much that I have a problem with but Im thinking the constant use of plates and cups is a bit out of hand.

It seems that no sooner is my sink clear, there is another cup and plate on the side. We never seem to have a time when NO-ONE is using something from the kitchen. I hate dishes by the sink (or in it) and it just alwsys looks like no-ones washed up but you can guarantee soeone just has not 5-10 minutes before.

Is this kind of kitchen traffic unusual?

OP posts:
NormaSparklerFlashBangAhhh · 04/12/2011 13:26

Dishwasher -

Check salt and rinse aid
Clean filter
Check the little jet things on the arms that soon round. Unblock them if necessary.

randommoment · 04/12/2011 13:27

Jane I love you xxx

Pandemoniaa · 04/12/2011 13:28

I don't have a dishwasher precisely because I detest the idea of festering, increasingly germ-ridden crockery and cutlery lurking in it. Also, the very existence of a dishwasher means you need far more crockery and cutlery.

I also don't wash up 10 times a day - after breakfast and after dinner (DP's responsibility) are the only main washing up times. In the meantime, there's no need to get a clean cup for every single drink when a quick rinse under the tap is usually quite enough. The exception being that ff I've done baking then I wash up as I go along.

I'm also wondering just how much eating and drinking occurs in the OP's house to warrant that much washing up at so many times of the day. I'm not being judgemental because who doesn't like a snack fest? But to collect that much washing up seems OTT.

randommoment · 04/12/2011 13:28

Does anyone know how to get a piece of rice that's jammed in the jet holes in the arms out? Have tried a needle, but can't bend into that position for more than 5 seconds.

HugosGoatee · 04/12/2011 13:29

Grin at Jane! I do exactly the same. But with more shame and less honesty. I have just washed all the dishes and it's so lovely and clean in there I could cry.

HugosGoatee · 04/12/2011 13:31

I have shoved dirty dishes in the oven when my cleanfreak friend came over. I then forgot and pre-heated the oven the next day... cue melted Tupperware all over the oven and a murdered wok Sad

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2011 13:33

Pandemoniaa we do have a lot of people coming in and out. DH will have quite a few visitors in the day and I have boys with hollow legs it seems. We all eat at different times as well. (work schedules).

OP posts:
Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2011 13:35

Ii also dont like dishes and plates built up as we have people past our kitchen window quite often

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 04/12/2011 13:39

Why don't you get something like this? You can get them cheaper, just couldn't be bothered searching.

Keep it filled with washing up liquid, then just wash as needed, rather than letting it mount up.

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2011 13:40

I think I need to get my dishwasher fixed...will follow tips as above

OP posts:
NormaSparklerFlashBangAhhh · 04/12/2011 13:42

Random - push it back into the arm then rinse well so it comes out of the big hole where the water comes in

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2011 14:00

And dh has just come home and made soup

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 04/12/2011 14:02

Get the dishwasher fixed, I love the fact it keeps the kitchen tidy.

mrsjay · 04/12/2011 14:04

I really dont know what i did before the dishwasher as ive always got plates cups glasses , i use the same cup for coffee i just rinse it but everybody else just uses all the dishes drives me insane . its glasses my dds use them as ornaments !

LineRunnerCrouchingReindeer · 04/12/2011 14:04

I never use my dishwasher. It doesn't clean things properly and no-one but me ever loads or empties it.

If I leave everything out on the sink, festering, once in a blue moon my kids will wash up when I shout at them.

wellwisher · 04/12/2011 14:07

Put a washing up bowl in the cupboard under the sink and train everyone to put dirty things in there and keep the cupboard door closed. When the washing-up bowl's full, heave it out, plonk it in the sink and make your DSs wash it all up in one go. Sorted.

valiumredhead · 04/12/2011 14:09

If your dishwasher doesn't clean properly its probably because you haven't enough salt and rinse aid in it and you need it on the hottest level. Every month you need to put a cleaner through on an empty wash.

JaneBirkin · 04/12/2011 15:20

Oh thankyou, filth fans Xmas Smile

Hugo I am so sorry about your tupperware. I did just laugh out loud as it's exactly the sort of thing I've done, too!

I am truly glad it isn't just me. I was expecting a few Xmas Shock faces tbh but maybe folk are just speechless at our standards. (or lack of)

oflip · 04/12/2011 15:28

dishwasher here, i fill it as we go along, ds empties it, good system going.

Groovee · 04/12/2011 15:33

I wash dishes in the morning, then at lunchtime if we are home and after the evening meal. More than enough times in a day

IdontknowwhyIcare · 04/12/2011 15:36

Oh just teach your kids to wash up. It doesnt matter how old they are they just need to do it. Everyone washes their own. And no not everything needs a plate. Oooooo I am very grrrr on your behalf that you do this.

tigerlillyd02 · 04/12/2011 15:41

Sounds excessive to me but there's only 2 of us here (DS is just 2) so I just wash up once a day, sometimes not at all and do it the next day if we've gone out for dinner. Breakfast and lunch often don't use a lot... that's enough for me, I can think of much better things to be doing.

At the moment I have some control over what he eats also so he's not helping himself between meals. By the time he can help himself, I'd hope he can also do some washing up himself :)

mumeeee · 04/12/2011 15:56

We all reuse our cups for most of the day. I usually only wash up once a day. Unless I've been baking or someone has had a cooked lunch and there is a couple of saucepans to do. Washing up after each use is a waste of water and energy,.

ouryve · 04/12/2011 16:05

The amount of washing up you have to do is not abnormal. Your fear of a couple of dirty cups in the sink is. Lighten up, leave it until you at least have a decent sink full and, if you can, delegate a couple of washes a day. If you have tweens or teens, then they absolutely should be doing some of the dishes and cleaning up after themselves.

Original poster
laptopdancer · 04/12/2011 16:09

I didnt want to give a running commentary but shortly after the soup, one of dh's mates came over and then there were more tea cups and plates for cake.

I dont like a constant build up of dishes on the benchtop, thats true, but as I mentioned before we have a good number of people coming past the kitchen window in the day and it looks awful if I have stacks of washing up.

OP posts: