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Housekeeping

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Original poster

What is a washing up bowl for?

129 replies

UniquelyBoring · 27/08/2022 22:10

I've never used a washing up bowl in my house but when I go away at Airbnb there's often one there and I don't understand their purpose. Please can you break it down for me.

Thanks.

OP posts:
hugoagogo · 27/08/2022 22:11

To stop glasses banging on the sink and potentially breaking.
Allow you to use less water.
Allow you to tip dregs down the sink.

Namechangeforthis88 · 27/08/2022 22:12

We haven't owned one for years, if there's stuff that needs washed, there's usually a pan or bowl that can do the job, if necessary.

Fairislefandango · 27/08/2022 22:12

It's for when you have a single sink (rather than a double or 1.5 sink) so that when you are doing the washing up, you can pour residual stuff in cups, dishes etc into the sink rather than into your washing up water.

Eyesopenwideawake · 27/08/2022 22:12

It's for washing things in - the clue is in the name. Glasses especially, as they are more likely to break in a metal or ceramic sink. Also useful for potato peelings and hand washing knickers (not simultaneously).

Talipesmum · 27/08/2022 22:13

If you have a single sink, you put the bowl in the sink, fill it with hot soapy water, and wash up in it. If anything you’re washing up needs draining, or any dregs pouring away, you tip them down the side of the washing up bowl so they don’t make the washing up water all horrible really quickly. So if you’re washing up milky cereal bowls, you rinse them with a bit of tap water, tip it down the side of the bowl, and wash the bowl up.

Used to use one, but now I have a 1.5 sink I don’t bother.

Original poster
UniquelyBoring · 27/08/2022 22:14

Thanks.

How does it allow you to use less water?...Just because it's a slightly smaller space or something else?

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 27/08/2022 22:14

Fairislefandango · 27/08/2022 22:12

It's for when you have a single sink (rather than a double or 1.5 sink) so that when you are doing the washing up, you can pour residual stuff in cups, dishes etc into the sink rather than into your washing up water.

Best answer 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

greenacrylicpaint · 27/08/2022 22:14

it's the perfect size for soaking washing feet in front of the telly

and to soak clothing items that are stained with mud/blood/oil before washing.

user1471499545 · 27/08/2022 22:15

I've often wondered this too. I'm not from The UK and they always baffle me. To the above poster re the glasses, I have never broken a glass in the sink. I'm intrigued as to why they are used.

NuffSaidSam · 27/08/2022 22:15

Fairislefandango · 27/08/2022 22:12

It's for when you have a single sink (rather than a double or 1.5 sink) so that when you are doing the washing up, you can pour residual stuff in cups, dishes etc into the sink rather than into your washing up water.

This.

Plus, just always handy to have, it's essentially a bucket you store in the sink.

Original poster
UniquelyBoring · 27/08/2022 22:15

Thanks @Talipesmum that's helpful

OP posts:
user1471499545 · 27/08/2022 22:16

Ahhhh, ok. For when you have a single sink. That makes sense.

2MinuteRice · 27/08/2022 22:16

greenacrylicpaint · 27/08/2022 22:14

it's the perfect size for soaking washing feet in front of the telly

and to soak clothing items that are stained with mud/blood/oil before washing.

We have one and we use it for pedicures and soaking clothes before washing.
Actually this has reminded me we have two, the extra one is used for soaking DD's veruccas

Lampan · 27/08/2022 22:17

I have a large Belfast sink. If I didn’t have a washing up bowl I’d need a lot more water to get a depth enough to wash up in. Plus it means if I have been washing anything dirty or greasy etc and I don’t want the water to go down the sink, I can empty it outside

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 27/08/2022 22:17

Talipesmum · 27/08/2022 22:13

If you have a single sink, you put the bowl in the sink, fill it with hot soapy water, and wash up in it. If anything you’re washing up needs draining, or any dregs pouring away, you tip them down the side of the washing up bowl so they don’t make the washing up water all horrible really quickly. So if you’re washing up milky cereal bowls, you rinse them with a bit of tap water, tip it down the side of the bowl, and wash the bowl up.

Used to use one, but now I have a 1.5 sink I don’t bother.

But don't you do this anyways before you start washing up?
I empty and/or rinse every bowl and glass before filling up the sink.

AuntieStella · 27/08/2022 22:18

Also, you can reuse the water. So if not too greasy/full of floating detritus/etc you can tip it on the parched garden.

They're a bit smaller than your sink, so you'll also be using slightly less water each time.

NuffSaidSam · 27/08/2022 23:06

But don't you do this anyways before you start washing up?
I empty and/or rinse every bowl and glass before filling up the sink.

Maybe you do and then someone emerges from the living room with a half finished cup of tea. Or a bowl that was missed.

Or maybe you put stuff in soak, filling the sunk and before starting to wash up you need to empty something down the sink.

Ahwig · 27/08/2022 23:14

We had a young family member visiting from Australia. She came into the kitchen on her first visit and she looked at the washing up bowl in the sink and said “ Ah yes mum told me that the English keep a bucket in the sink, why do you do that? “ both my husband and I erred and mmmd about why. I could have done with reading this thread before answering her. 😊.

newbiename · 27/08/2022 23:17

I use my washing up bowl for washing up strangely.

Mariokartedoff · 27/08/2022 23:18

It stops your lovely nice new skink getting scratched by dishes and cutlery and eroded by cleaning products.

Plus it's also handy to have for when your kids want to throw up. A proper bucket is far too big for a toddler to hold.

Talipesmum · 27/08/2022 23:22

Depends how you like to do it. That’s the alternative if you have a single bowl. If you have a 1.5 sink or use a washing up bowl, you can just do them as you go. Also, I might think I’ve got all the dregs away, then someone pops up with a half finished mug of coffee and I’m doomed.

Talipesmum · 27/08/2022 23:23

Talipesmum · 27/08/2022 23:22

Depends how you like to do it. That’s the alternative if you have a single bowl. If you have a 1.5 sink or use a washing up bowl, you can just do them as you go. Also, I might think I’ve got all the dregs away, then someone pops up with a half finished mug of coffee and I’m doomed.

Sorry, that was in reply to @SliceOfCakeCupOfTea !

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 27/08/2022 23:23

Washing up.

YeahNahWhal · 27/08/2022 23:30

As an Aussie, they just seem so germy and grimy when I've visited the UK. Never dry, always a bit smelly. I'm very glad I don't have a generational attachment to them!

RampantIvy · 27/08/2022 23:31

hugoagogo · 27/08/2022 22:11

To stop glasses banging on the sink and potentially breaking.
Allow you to use less water.
Allow you to tip dregs down the sink.

All the above, plus now that we have a hosepipe ban I can keep the bowl in the sink to catch water that I wash vegetables with or rinse my hands in and can then tip the water in the garden.

TBH I don't understand this faux naivety about not understanding the practicality of washing up bowls.

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