Putting cutlery away has recently begun to drive me mad

[TwinkleTwinkleTwinkleTwinkle]

I feel like I must be being unreasonable because I never had a problem before. I am being driven mad one fork at a time

I think it started when the dishwasher broke. My draining board is basic, there is no rack or anything,and I haven't bought one because I want to buy a new dishwasher when funds float into my lap (could be a long wait).

So anyway the forks and knives are just lying on the drainer and then I transfer them to the drawer, two feet away. And then it's another bloody meal time and they get dirty again. They are in there for about as long as I leave my car on the double yellow lines.

Is there some kind of on-table solution tik tok sensation that they have in America that I've missed out on?

I feel rather the same about hand washing because I do that at least ten times a day as well.

Perhaps if I dip my hands in pva I can just peel off a layer each time instead.

I think I am alone in my angst. I can find no reference to it online.

You don't need a tik tok sensation, stick them all in a pot on the table.

Little and often. Buy a draining rack , a pair of marigolds and brillo pads and washing up bowl to soak those stubborn things in overnight.
Good grief our ancestors survived for generations without all the mod cons... think savings on electricity too.

Get a wire basket and put it on a plastic plate. Put all cutlery in the basket on your table to dry. The plate will catch drips and should be scrubbed once in a while.

Surely you need a draining rack anyway? I have a dishwasher, but always have a draining rack for no stick pans or odd bits that need washing up after the dishwasher is turned on? You can just leave them in that to dry, then put them on the table if you can't be arsed to put them away.

Is there some lovely aesthetic version you know of?

Set the table with them for the next meal? Or stick them in a jar/cup/vase etc on the table, like some restaurants do?

And buy some rubber gloves to save your hands.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Innoteck-Essentials-Kitchen-Utensil-Holder/dp/B09LHY7S8Q/ref=asc_df_B09LHY7S8Q/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=565120510939&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9124777185507795385&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007850&hvtargid=pla-1523794697511&mcid=b64be7db48963332ba809233a79b7116&th=1

for storing on the draining board you can use the basket in your broken dishwasher?

My dishwasher is expensive crap and doesn't dry stuff so everything goes into a rack until it's dry. Then I put it all away. About an hour later it ends up back in the dishwasher.

Sometimes I wash up by hand, just for a break from the cycle.

You can stand the basket from the broken dishwasher on the draining board to keep the cutlery together and just use it from there

😍😍😍😍😍

The scrap man is doing just that with it I should imagine

It some of those relentless, repetitive and thankless tasks that just get to you. Like folding laundry - I've already sorted it, carried it down two flights of stairs, washed it, dried it, brought it back up stairs and now I have to sort it again. By this point it piles up in my room until I can't move or everyone runs out of clothes. Because I really, really can't be arsed with it any more. It's clean, it can just fuck off!

Join forces with me. You are my sister.

I think it's a repetitive action rage type thing. I got it at about 42 when I was shaving my legs for the 4000 time. I just suddenly became incensed at how many more times in my life I might possibly have to do this brainless task.

I reckon you've got the same with cutlery and now you're passing it onto us - this kind of mindless task rage is contageous you know!
No matter how many knives and forks I wash up and put away there is nothing left in the drawer every day - and I have 10 of everything for 2 of us. I don't have a dishwasher so I'm stuck in the endless cycle forever and ever and ever . . . 👭

I doubt they have some on-table solution jack on Tik-Tok from America.

They rarely use cutlery there, most of their food seems to be eaten with their hands.

Ahh I've seen a lot of paper crockery on American reels for some reason

I started epliating mine for that reason. The regrowth doesn't shout quite so loud.

I don’t understand why space for an upstairs utility isn’t included in plans for houses.

Agreed, upstairs utility is the best

It some of those relentless, repetitive and thankless tasks that just get to you. Like folding laundry - I've already sorted it, carried it down two flights of stairs, washed it, dried it, brought it back up stairs and now I have to sort it again. By this point it piles up in my room until I can't move or everyone runs out of clothes. Because I really, really can't be arsed with it any more. It's clean, it can just fuck off!

We are going to try to get an upstairs utility jammed into a dead space in the hall. Our plumbing is a bit shit but we might just give it a go anyway.

In relation to your sorting issues I have a kind of working solution that has helped. I no longer sort washing. I wash only one person's at a time. Everyone has a basket in their room with their name on it. It gets filled and stays in their room. When I'm ready to wash it I take it downstairs (also 2 flights of stairs in our house) wash, dry, return to their room. That evening at bedtime it gets put away.* Biggest kid helps with his. Little ones just play until i'm done. No sorting. No folding. No splitting by colour. The basket is in their room and can only contain either dirty clothes or clean clothes waiting to be put away. No piles of washing anywhere.

*Theoretically. Sometimes a few days later.

OP sorry can't help with the cutlery but I feel your pain on the repetitive tasks.

Get a nice fancy wooden box with several sections: condiments, napkins, cutlery....

Then pretend you are in a gastro pub for every meal.

Store it on the table. Missed that part out.

If you are able to I would buy a second hand dishwasher. It will be £50 well spent.

Sharp knives, put away. Cooking utensils in a jar. Teaspoons in a drawer. Everything else in this. Forks, knives spoons mixed together.