What do you do when you wash up?

[fassnk]

Because when I wash the dishes, I also wipe down the kitchen work surfaces, the dining table and DS highchair as it all seems part of the same job to me - using clean hot soapy water. (We have a small open plan kitchen diner, its not like its an 18 seater table in a different room) DP just washes the dishes and does nothing else as "they are separate jobs". Do I really need to say when hes doing the dishes "Remember to wipe the worksurfaces, clean the table and the highchair"?! Am i expecting too much and they are indeed separate jobs? Maybe a dishwasher is the way forward. But knowing my luck I would have to say "Could you empty the dishwasher AND put all the dishes away" lest there be any confusion.

@Chouetted

I think they're different jobs. Washing up needs done as frequently as you eat, so likely to be three times a day (or more) but the counters and table can hold out much longer.

Likewise, I only clean my draining board when it looks dirty. The only thing that ever touches it is the feet of the dishrack - and I'm pretty sure that can cope with a bit of soap scum. Why make work for myself?

Your kitchen surfaces don’t sound very hygienic. This is a place you’re preparing food. Of course they need doing several times a day.

I wouldn't do the dining table at that point, is more likely do that when clearing the dishes to the kitchen after dinner then sit down for half an hour with a cup of tea before washing up and wiping down the kitchen

@Chouetted

I think they're different jobs. Washing up needs done as frequently as you eat, so likely to be three times a day (or more) but the counters and table can hold out much longer.

Likewise, I only clean my draining board when it looks dirty. The only thing that ever touches it is the feet of the dishrack - and I'm pretty sure that can cope with a bit of soap scum. Why make work for myself?

I'd say the opposite I would wipe down surfaces before and after preparing any food plus when filling dishwasher and after washing up.

@Chooseausernamenow It's not as if you're preparing food directly on the surfaces. In my house we use plates, pans and colour coded chopping boards. Those get washed up.

It is possible to be too hygienic.

My problem is probably messy oh and kids but whenever I go into the kitchen I find someone had left a soul or crumbs which I wouldn't put a clean plate in because then you would spread the spillage wherever you take the plate to.

@ShadierThanaPalmTree

Even if they are separate jobs, is he only able to do one? 🤨 I agree though, it's all one task done at the same time. He sounds like a lazy sod

What she said

This is what I'm currently teaching my DS. Clean the whole lot so that the next person to use the space doesn't have to start by cleaning it!

Dirty water left in the bowl drives me crazy. And cloths / sponges left soaking wet...argh! Crumpled, damp tea-towels - awful. I'm not as fussed about most things, but the kitchen is important. Wiping down is part of the job, yes.

Any washing up is usually created because you've prepared food so other things will need cleaning too! I clean the counter tops, hob (and oven if I've used it). Most things go in the dishwasher but there are a few things - certain glasses I wouldn't put in there. To think that that's not part of your partner's remit while washing up is a good try!

Yanbu. Dh seems incapable of wiping surfaces. It'll be his turn to clear up and he will tidy things away, do the dishwasher etc but not actually clean.

@LadyDanburysHat

It's a man thing it seems. My DH is the same, He's getting better at wiping the surfaces, but doesn't do them properly, or do them all.

What is it about having a penis that you think makes it hard to do the job properly? Why are you ok using the 'It's what men are like' reason for this? You and your partner have different standards on this issue, and need to communicate to reach a compromise. It's not your vagina that makes you wash up 'properly', is it?

The perpetuation of gender stereotypes here is shocking.

I wipe my kitchen about 5 times a day tbh.
Not with the same sponge I wash up with that is gross.

What WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants said.

What does it matter whether you call it one thing or another. Stuff needs to be done. Stuff needs to be done by all adults living there. If one person gets lots of time to choose how they use it and the other is working for far more hours - sort that out. If both adults are contributing equally then it doesn't matter what either one of you calls it.

I wipe everything down after washing up, too. It's all part of the same job.

So glad it isnt just me! But also, to everyone saying who cares if they are one job or separate he should be doing them all anyway, you're bloody right!

When we got together my partner insisted that he had "washed the pots" apparently this means plates etc. but not pans as they are not "pots" and cutlery needs to be left to soak for as long as it takes for someone else to deal with it! yeah that idea didn't last long ha ha.
We do all the things you do I may start to refer to it as "preparing the kitchen for use" rather than washing up though :)