draining rack. Otherwise, dip the dishes in the rinsing pan or place them in the drainer and spray them with hot water. When cups and glasses have been rinsed, turn them upside down to drain. - Use a clean towel to dry glassware, flatware, pots and pans, and any dishes that can't be dried in the rack. - Use a tray to carry the dishes and flatware to their storage places, carrying several pieces each trip. - Wash and dry the dishpans, sink, drain board, counter tops, and stove. - Wash and dry dish towels and dishcloths. - See that the floor around the sink is free frSeeing off your guests at the door doesn't mean the end of that big celebration. Almost always, you'd like to hit the bed as soon as the last "goodbye" has been said. But there's still the post-party sorting out to take care of - a daunting task for many of us. Indeed, cleaning up and putting things away after a big bash is a big responsibility.

But even on a smaller scale, like after having a regular meal at home, you still have the responsibility of putting things back in their customary place of storage, wiping up spills, picking up litter, and sweeping the floor. Even after eating at a fast food restaurant, you must leave your table ready for the next customers to use.

Of all the after-meal tasks, dishwashing happens to be the main job that has to be attended to at once. This means you have to wash the dishes and other table utensils and put them back where you found them. Sounds easy really, especially if you follow these simple directions:

Washing dishes by hand:

- Carry the dishes from the dining table to the sink. Using a tray to do this saves you time and energy. - Scrape and rinse the dishes. Group together those of the same size and type. - Stack them on the right side of the sink or on a nearby table. Arrange them for washing from right to left, if possible. - Half-fill the dishpan with hot water. You can make the water still hotter if you use a dish mop, gloves, or a dishwashing spray attachment. - To prepare suds, use liquid or granular detergent, soap flakes, or soap powder. Use enough soap or detergent so the suds will last until all the dishes are washed. - Wash the dishes in the following order: glassware, soft plastic containers, flatware, cups, plates, saucers, small dishes, serving dishes, baking dishes, and pots and pans which have been soaking. Wash sharp-edged tools and fragile articles separately. - Use both hands when washing dishes. Reach for the dish with one hand, and hold it while you swab with the other hand. Pass the dish through the rinsing water, and turn it up to drain in the draining rack. Another method is to place dishes in the second sink compartment for rinsing. - Rinse with clear, hot water. If you have enough hot water, pass each dish under the hot-water faucet on the way to the draining rack. Otherwise, dip the dishes in the rinsing pan or place them in the drainer and spray them with hot water. When cups and glasses have been rinsed, turn them upside down to drain. - Use a clean towel to dry glassware, flatware, pots and pans, and any dishes that can't be dried in the rack. - Use a tray to carry the dishes and flatware to their storage places, carrying several pieces each trip. - Wash and dry the dishpans, sink, drain board, counter tops, and stove. - Wash and dry dish towels and dishcloths. - See that the floor around the sink is free fr

floor. Even after eating at a fast food restaurant, you must leave your table ready for the next customers to use.

Of all the after-meal tasks, dishwashing happens to be the main job that has to be attended to at once. This means you have to wash the dishes and other table utensils and put them back where you found them. Sounds easy really, especially if you follow these simple directions:

Washing dishes by hand:

- Carry the dishes from the dining table to the sink. Using a tray to do this saves you time and energy. - Scrape and rinse the dishes. Group together those of the same size and type. - Stack them on the right side of the sink or on a nearby table. Arrange them for washing from right to left, if possible. - Half-fill the dishpan with hot water. You can make the water still hotter if you use a dish mop, gloves, or a dishwashing spray attachment. - To prepare suds, use liquid or granular detergent, soap flakes, or soap powder. Use enough soap or detergent so the suds will last until all the dishes are washed. - Wash the dishes in the following order: glassware, soft plastic containers, flatware, cups, plates, saucers, small dishes, serving dishes, baking dishes, and pots and pans which have been soaking. Wash sharp-edged tools and fragile articles separately. - Use both hands when washing dishes. Reach for the dish with one hand, and hold it while you swab with the other hand. Pass the dish through the rinsing water, and turn it up to drain in the draining rack. Another method is to place dishes in the second sink compartment for rinsing. - Rinse with clear, hot water. If you have enough hot water, pass each dish under the hot-water faucet on the way to the draining rack. Otherwise, dip the dishes in the rinsing pan or place them in the drainer and spray them with hot water. When cups and glasses have been rinsed, turn them upside down to drain. - Use a clean towel to dry glassware, flatware, pots and pans, and any dishes that can't be dried in the rack. - Use a tray to carry the dishes and flatware to their storage places, carrying several pieces each trip. - Wash and dry the dishpans, sink, drain board, counter tops, and stove. - Wash and dry dish towels and dishcloths. - See that the floor around the sink is free fr

Group together those of the same size and type. - Stack them on the right side of the sink or on a nearby table. Arrange them for washing from right to left, if possible. - Half-fill the dishpan with hot water. You can make the water still hotter if you use a dish mop, gloves, or a dishwashing spray attachment. - To prepare suds, use liquid or granular detergent, soap flakes, or soap powder. Use enough soap or detergent so the suds will last until all the dishes are washed. - Wash the dishes in the following order: glassware, soft plastic containers, flatware, cups, plates, saucers, small dishes, serving dishes, baking dishes, and pots and pans which have been soaking. Wash sharp-edged tools and fragile articles separately. - Use both hands when washing dishes. Reach for the dish with one hand, and hold it while you swab with the other hand. Pass the dish through the rinsing water, and turn it up to drain in the draining rack. Another method is to place dishes in the second sink compartment for rinsing. - Rinse with clear, hot water. If you have enough hot water, pass each dish under the hot-water faucet on the way to the draining rack. Otherwise, dip the dishes in the rinsing pan or place them in the drainer and spray them with hot water. When cups and glasses have been rinsed, turn them upside down to drain. - Use a clean towel to dry glassware, flatware, pots and pans, and any dishes that can't be dried in the rack. - Use a tray to carry the dishes and flatware to their storage places, carrying several pieces each trip. - Wash and dry the dishpans, sink, drain board, counter tops, and stove. - Wash and dry dish towels and dishcloths. - See that the floor around the sink is free frps, plates, saucers, small dishes, serving dishes, baking dishes, and pots and pans which have been soaking. Wash sharp-edged tools and fragile articles separately. - Use both hands when washing dishes. Reach for the dish with one hand, and hold it while you swab with the other hand. Pass the dish through the rinsing water, and turn it up to drain in the draining rack. Another method is to place dishes in the second sink compartment for rinsing. - Rinse with clear, hot water. If you have enough hot water, pass each dish under the hot-water faucet on the way to the draining rack. Otherwise, dip the dishes in the rinsing pan or place them in the drainer and spray them with hot water. When cups and glasses have been rinsed, turn them upside down to drain. - Use a clean towel to dry glassware, flatware, pots and pans, and any dishes that can't be dried in the rack. - Use a tray to carry the dishes and flatware to their storage places, carrying several pieces each trip. - Wash and dry the dishpans, sink, drain board, counter tops, and stove. - Wash and dry dish towels and dishcloths. - See that the floor around the sink is free fr draining rack. Otherwise, dip the dishes in the rinsing pan or place them in the drainer and spray them with hot water. When cups and glasses have been rinsed, turn them upside down to drain. - Use a clean towel to dry glassware, flatware, pots and pans, and any dishes that can't be dried in the rack. - Use a tray to carry the dishes and flatware to their storage places, carrying several pieces each trip. - Wash and dry the dishpans, sink, drain board, counter tops, and stove. - Wash and dry dish towels and dishcloths. - See that the floor around the sink is free from grease and water.

Washing the dishes in an automatic dishwasher:

- Rinse dishes under running water; rub them lightly with a dishcloth, or scrape them with a brush or rubber spatula. - Empty glasses and cups. Rinse juice or milk glasses, especially if the dishwasher is not to be run right away. - Load the dishwasher according to the manufacturer's suggestions. Usually, these recommend placing pots, pans, and bowls on the bottom level to the outside with openings toward the center. If possible, alternate large and small plates for maximum water flow. - Load the top level by placing glasses and cups down with openings toward the spray of water. - Place flatware, handles down, in the basket made for this purpose. Do not crowd flatware. - Use only a detergent especially made for automatic dishwashing. Fill the detergent cup according to the manufacturer's directions. Do not sprinkle detergent directly on any item. Do not use soap or laundry detergent because they make suds which block the washing action. - Close the door and turn on the machine according to the directions. - Remove the dishes when they have been washed and dried. Some machines can be turned off for the drying cycle so the dishes can air dry. This saves electricity and keeps the kitchen from getting warm.

The task of washing the dishes requires organization and care. And it doesn't make any difference if you are holding a party at home or simply having your regular breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This task becomes a lot easier if you know how to do it properly, whether by hand or in an automatic dishwasher.

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