Of all the household chores, I am most partial to (okay, I enjoy it..!) washing dishes. That's dish washing by hand, not dumping them in an appliance.

Why do I like being a dishwasher? Let me count the ways.

First, it's a mindless chore. I mean once you get it down pat how to do it most efficiently, you do it without overly thinking. It merely requires care so the plates and glasses don't end up in shards due to slippery hands.

I can't remember when I first learned to wash dishes. It must've been when we lived in Singapore for about 18 months.

Having grown up with household help, we were suddenly on our own in a foreign country. I was 9 then, and as the eldest, it was the most practical chore since my mother lives to cook.

First time

I remember the first few times doing it. I had to be extra careful handling the breakables, especially once they have soap on them. I made sure the sink was empty so I didn't knock things around and accidentally break them.

It was an especially proud moment to be able to finish doing the dishes, and getting a seal of approval from my mother. Good job!

When we returned, the house help were back as well. So there were very few occasions or opportunities to wash dishes. Sometimes, when I used something in between meals and no one was there, then I get to wash those.

It's been several years since we last had househelp, and because no one really likes the task, I ended up doing it.

Dirty sink, yuck!

And for good reason... I hate seeing dirty dishes, pots and pans, piled on the sink. So, even when someone else should be cleaning up, I end up doing this just to put everything away.

Here's the thing - I like to smell whatever it is I am washing to make sure they don't just look clean (no remnants or scuds whatsoever) but they smell clean, too. Isn't it annoying when a pan or plate still smells fishy or saucy even after it's been washed? So, I sniff them after rinsing. If it has even a slight unpleasant odor, I soap them again.

There have been times when I inspect someone else's work by running my fingers on a plate or spoon, or sniffing them and I end up washing these again. It's also for my own peace of mind that I take on the chore.

How to wash dishes

So, glasses first because they're the least dirty or greasy. Then cutlery or flatware next. That's spoons, forks, knives. I'm particular about forks because often rice grains remain stuck in between tines and don't get noticed. Then it's the crockery - plates, saucers, bowls, cups. Finally, the pots and pans.

Watching others wash dishes where they just place it under running water and soap them makes me wince. No, honestly, it annoys me. To remove scuds or food remnants, especially those that have dried up, it helps to pre-wash them or soak them for a few minutes to loosen all these.

This is easier when hot water is available, but that's not always the case.

I usually run a slightly rough sponge on everything while these are soaking to scrape off any gunk so they're already clean even before soaping. The soap is just to help wash away smell.

Before putting them on the dish rack to dry, I shake off as much excess water so it doesn't puddle underneath.

I usually separate spoons, forks, knives and other cutlery used for cooking. This makes it easier when drying and keeping them.

Clear!

While I don't much like drying and storing dishes, I like it even less when the sink area is full of clean dishes and you're about to prepare for cooking. So, I sometimes end up doing that, too.

Needless to say, I hate entering the kitchen and finding everything in disarray. I've lived by the policy to clean as I go. So, most times when I cook, you won't know I did because everything would be in order after I finish.

Thinking spot

What's the second thing I like about dishwashing? I like the feel of running water on my hands. It helps cool me down, especially when the temperature is soaring. It also helps calm me down when I'm in a snit.

And there've been times when alone, I can even vent my feelings while doing the dishes. Yeah, letting my tears run down my face along with the water from the faucet.

I do a lot of talking to myself when I wash dishes. To help me through stuff that's bugging me. To let out frustration or disappointment. And to pray. Yeah, I do a lot of that while doing the dirty dishes.

Volunteer dishwasher

And if ever you invite me to your home and feed me, I'm open to doing the dishes, too. I've done it many times, sometimes to the chagrin of my hosts. They're embarrassed to let me wash plates, glasses, spoons and forks.

But hey, you cooked so I clean. No biggie. I get to check out your kitchen, too! Is it as clean as mine?

And washing after a party where there's a mountain of dishes to do? No worries. I've found a system to take that on efficiently as well.

I figured if I really needed a job and nothing else was available, I can earn a living (not a lot, I know) by washing dishes. At least I can be sure I'll have something to eat.

P.S. Here's a tip how to remove grease from plastic containers:

Squirt some liquid dishwashing soap into the container, add a little water, throw in a paper towel (used is okay), cover, then shake vigorously. All the grease will be absorbed by the paper towel. Then you can wash it clean, and it should smell good, too!

Lead image: https://advancedwaterinc.com/hand-washing-dishes-vs-dishwasher-comparison/

Dirty sink photo: https://cookit.guru/dirty-dishes-in-the-sink/