Soaping the dishes instead of sponge

[JennyDune]

For years, I always wondered why the dish sponge in our kitchen often never had washing up liquid imbued in it / leftover. Usually you would expect always a little bit left over from prior wash/s.

I just found out today, that my partner (for 15 years) was been putting the liquid on the dishes instead of the sponge!

Firstly, im annoyed that I never spotted this. But more importantly, surely this is weird? Only a mad man would soap the dishes instead of the sponge?

Use a J-cloth not a sponge; for washing-up not in the bath.

@JennyDune

Using a washing up bowl..okay..but why not at least quick rinse afterwards? (This seems like a good balance/compromise)

That's what most of us have said we do!

LemonKitten

I appear to have been washing up incorrectly for my entire life...“

Think you’ve got problems: seems I may have been wiping my bum incorrectly for my entire life

@MrsSkylerWhite

LemonKitten

I appear to have been washing up incorrectly for my entire life...“

Think you’ve got problems: seems I may have been wiping my bum incorrectly for my entire life

I do everything wrong according to MN. I don't know how me and my kids are still alive to tell the tale

@madisonbridges

Washing dishes under running water is very wasteful. It's like leaving the water running whilst brushing your teeth.

Exactly!

@CatNamedEaster

I clicked on this because I thought it would be silly and give me a laugh but all it's done is make me think this planet really is fucked when there are still people who see no issue washing stuff up under a running tap. It's just basic isn't it? Use a bowl or put the plug in so you don't waste gallons???

Well said. I despair too.

I genuinely don't get it. For the bowl washers, don't you rinse the dishes off under running water? How do you get rid of the soap and the dirt in the bowl?

I thought everyone does it like me:

1. Squirt washing up liquid onto sponge.
2. Scrub all dishes with sponge
3. Rinse all dishes under running water.

I do sometimes wash under a running tap, but if I have the plug in, it uses the same amount. I tested it by leaving it running with the plug in and it was about half a sink when I finished (when I say running, it's like a trickle)

@Sam020

I genuinely don't get it. For the bowl washers, don't you rinse the dishes off under running water? How do you get rid of the soap and the dirt in the bowl?

I thought everyone does it like me:

1. Squirt washing up liquid onto sponge.
2. Scrub all dishes with sponge
3. Rinse all dishes under running water.

This is how I do mine too, except if there's a few things that have gotten a bit dry, I might squirt some watered down soap and put a bit of hot water so it can soak.

Also I know for a fact that lots of people don't rinse after using the bowl and sponge .

Some of you must get through a lot of washing up liquid.

Us it isn't like you must continue to wash stuff up even when the bowl water looks like soup, you empty and refill

But I have to rinse them after because otherwise they would still have milk on them then you're not washing them properly if they're still dirty.

Great wind up OP, no one is this ignorant. Desalination indeed.

Who washes under a running tap??? You put water and dishwashing liquid in the sink, with the dishes - works brilliantly (and has done for a very long time). I tend to use very hot water so leave the dishes until the water is cooler and by then most things are squeakly clean, if not I use a dishcloth.

And no, I don't rinse the dishes afterwards - it's not really a thing where I live.

£79 a month for water is high.

2 adults & 2 teens, weekly car washing, baths, showers, washer, not much water for garden as we have 4 water butts £49.

But I do was up using a bowl of water with liquid squirted in

No dishwasher here, so wash the dishes in a bowl with washing up liquid in it. then drain the dishes on the sink unit, then dry and put away immediately. sometimes chuck the soapy water outside, on plants and shrubs,all flourish afterwards. sometimes use the soapy leftover water, to swill out a wheelie bin, or throw on the paving slabs and brush off,if they are a bit muddy. Utilise everything !!!!

I’ve only read half the thread but no one seems remotely worried about the use of a sponge- I’m actually relaxed about most things but don’t they just fill up with bacteria quickly and smell? I use a brush which I put regularly in the dishwasher .

I genuinely have no idea how you could live with someone for fifteen years yet have never washed up together or even been in the kitchen at the same time when one of you is washing up?!

How?

So I been washing up wrong for 35+ years. Used to use a sponge to wash up, been using a dish cloth for many years. Wash up put dish cloth in the washing machine or soak in bleach.

How am I still alive

I am horrified to find out people don't rinse there dishes. It's standard in my culture, like no shoes in house

@TillyDevon

I’ve only read half the thread but no one seems remotely worried about the use of a sponge- I’m actually relaxed about most things but don’t they just fill up with bacteria quickly and smell? I use a brush which I put regularly in the dishwasher .

I use reusable washable sponges. And I am the only one that does the dishes so I make sure it's clean and rinsed after every use.

I think it's a bit of a weird thing to get worked up about to be honest. At least he does the washing up

@madisonbridges

Washing dishes under running water is very wasteful. It's like leaving the water running whilst brushing your teeth.

Not if you've done a one pot meal and therefore don't have many pots (just one, 2-3 plates, knife chopping board and cutlery) I switch the water off while I soap the dish and then just rinse. I use way less water this way than if filled the bowl with water every time. Also, what about breakfast? Surely you don't fill the bowl just to wash a few breakfast items ?