What brand do you like for washing dishes?
Dishcloths
- Thread starter cleanteamofny
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I use a KA dishwasher.No dishrags for me!
All my dishes/cookware go into the dishwasher, but I use a lot of dish cloths doing food prep and subsequent clean-up.
I use the inexpensive hotel-quality bath linen wash cloths sold in bundles at Sam's Club. They last a long time despite harsh laundering conditions; they're white so it's easy to see when they get soiled.
I use the inexpensive hotel-quality bath linen wash cloths sold in bundles at Sam's Club. They last a long time despite harsh laundering conditions; they're white so it's easy to see when they get soiled.
Dish Clothes
I completely agree with Rex and Eugene, everything possible goes into the DW and I also use a lot of white cotton wash clothes for cleaning counters, small spils on floors etc, these clothes are always washed in hot water in the Calypso with bleach added to the dispenser. One thing I never use are sponges in the kitchen as I feel they are ineffective for really removing soil and are almost impossible to get and keep really clean.
I completely agree with Rex and Eugene, everything possible goes into the DW and I also use a lot of white cotton wash clothes for cleaning counters, small spils on floors etc, these clothes are always washed in hot water in the Calypso with bleach added to the dispenser. One thing I never use are sponges in the kitchen as I feel they are ineffective for really removing soil and are almost impossible to get and keep really clean.
I like the heavy waffle weave dish rags that used to be everywhere. Now I hoard them as they are impossible to find. I used to even get them at Krogers, now none are to be found. My FL has been a real savior in this sense, I use the whitest whites cycle with oxygen bleach and they come out spotless and seem to last for years. The last time I recall buying any was 4or 5 years ago.
If anyone can point me toward some I'd be very happy....
If anyone can point me toward some I'd be very happy....
The reason I asked this question is because I've brought the one that Clorox makes for kitchen and they are falling apart after 5 months of usage and needed something sturdier than these cheap cheese cloths.
My new choice for this job is Armor-all microfiber cloths that is strong to handle extreme wringing, otherwise..., the dishwasher is my first line of defense!
My new choice for this job is Armor-all microfiber cloths that is strong to handle extreme wringing, otherwise..., the dishwasher is my first line of defense!
dustin92
Well-known member
We have a dishwasher as well, but we have some dishcloths that I bought at Meijer, and I have been extremely happy with them. I bought the first set of 10 (solid blue and white with blue stripes) over a year ago when we moved into our house, and just a few months ago bought a set of 10 (solid red, and white with red stripes) on clearance. I have bleached all of the white striped ones several times, and the blue ones have been bleached accidentally. They are all still in like new condition.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
My Weapon of Choice....
....Is not dishrags at all.
It's the BLUE Scotchbrite scrubber sponge - NOT. THE. GREEN.
The blue ones scrub extremely well, without scratching. As everyone knows, of course, the green ones do scratch.
They're sponges on one side, blue Scotchbrite on the other. Because of being sponges on one side, they need sanitizing in a bleach solution from time to time, but they work miracles on dirty dishes. They'll even scrub Teflon without removing it.
....Is not dishrags at all.
It's the BLUE Scotchbrite scrubber sponge - NOT. THE. GREEN.
The blue ones scrub extremely well, without scratching. As everyone knows, of course, the green ones do scratch.
They're sponges on one side, blue Scotchbrite on the other. Because of being sponges on one side, they need sanitizing in a bleach solution from time to time, but they work miracles on dirty dishes. They'll even scrub Teflon without removing it.
beekeyknee
Well-known member
Color Fast Linens
Dustin,
It's nice to find colorfast linens these days. Years ago one would mostly find all colorfast bed, bath and kitchen linens. It's harder to find them now it seems. Colorfast linens were the norm 30 years ago or more. IMO most all linens should be colorfast so they can be properly cleaned. Tags that that are printed, 'Cold wash, non-chlorine bleach when needed', get put back on the shelf when I find them. I will accept 'warm wash, non-chlorine bleach when needed' for bed sheets though.
Dustin,
It's nice to find colorfast linens these days. Years ago one would mostly find all colorfast bed, bath and kitchen linens. It's harder to find them now it seems. Colorfast linens were the norm 30 years ago or more. IMO most all linens should be colorfast so they can be properly cleaned. Tags that that are printed, 'Cold wash, non-chlorine bleach when needed', get put back on the shelf when I find them. I will accept 'warm wash, non-chlorine bleach when needed' for bed sheets though.
dustin92
Well-known member
I didn't even look at the care instructions when I bought them, but they were getting pretty stained, so worst case scenario I bleach out the stripes, and as you see, they look fine, although they do need bleached again soon. The solid blue ones have been bleached accidentally, and only faded slightly. I don't think I'm going to try the red ones with bleach although they all tolerate a hot water wash just fine.
For things that can't go into the dishwasher or other jobs-like Sandy use sponges with Scotchpads on one side or those washer things with the dish detergent fill you put into the handle.Why I don't like rags is becuase they can smell like dead fish in the kitchen if they aren't regularly cleaned or swapped with clean ones-my stepmom used rags-they would make a smell after a little while-GROSS!She would wash or get a clean one at that point.
Dish Clothes
Are only used ONCE and then hung to dry and dropped in the laundry basket, you should no more have a stinky wash cloth lying around the kitchen as having a stinky-moldy FL washer but in my travels I see both regularly. Still this is no reason not to use a good wash cloth for cleaning or a FL washer for washing clothing.
Are only used ONCE and then hung to dry and dropped in the laundry basket, you should no more have a stinky wash cloth lying around the kitchen as having a stinky-moldy FL washer but in my travels I see both regularly. Still this is no reason not to use a good wash cloth for cleaning or a FL washer for washing clothing.
oldskool
Well-known member
We Use 'Bar Mops'
....from Sam's Club. Large enough to serve also as a dish towel, yet not to big to function as a dish cloth, IMO. Change daily or more often if appropriate, washed in Hot Water, Tide, and yes.... chlorine bleach if needed, although I use chlorine bleach in the kitchen sink often, so they seldom need bleach when laundered. Seem to stand up well.
....from Sam's Club. Large enough to serve also as a dish towel, yet not to big to function as a dish cloth, IMO. Change daily or more often if appropriate, washed in Hot Water, Tide, and yes.... chlorine bleach if needed, although I use chlorine bleach in the kitchen sink often, so they seldom need bleach when laundered. Seem to stand up well.
I use brushes for hand washing dishes etc. These are easy to rinse off, and don't collect dirt/bacteria like sponges. For stubborn deposits I keep some of the blue scotchbrite sponges around, and also find them useful for cleaning counters etc. After a few uses they generally get tossed. I've found that laundering them doesn't work real well, as the scubbing part of them tends to detach from the sponge part. I suppose a bleach solution would help to disinfect them but I use them so seldomly it seems like more bother than it's worth. I keep separate brushes for scrubbing the sink and chasing food particles into the disposer, washing dishes, and scrubbing veggies.
Most dishwashing takes place in the Bosch dishwasher. Usually the only stuff that gets handwashed are pots and pans and other items that aren't dishwasher safe and/or are too big for the DW, as well as the coffee pot filter holders etc. Occasionally the dw leaves a bowl, plate, or utensil with some cooked on particles and those get the brush or sponge scrubbing treatment.
Most dishwashing takes place in the Bosch dishwasher. Usually the only stuff that gets handwashed are pots and pans and other items that aren't dishwasher safe and/or are too big for the DW, as well as the coffee pot filter holders etc. Occasionally the dw leaves a bowl, plate, or utensil with some cooked on particles and those get the brush or sponge scrubbing treatment.
twintubdexter
Well-known member
great info for an old "traditionalist"
I grew up with a mom that always started the day with a dishpan of hot soapy water and a "dishrag." I'm exactly the same way. I could not get along without them in the kitchen. My friends, all of whom use their automatic dishwashers daily, look at that dishpan and think I'm crazy. I rarely have more than a dish or two and a few utensils each day and the dog's dishes wouldn't go in the dishwasher anyway since I keep pet and people things separate. Occasionally I use the dishwasher when I entertain but even then not that often. Having one of those hot water recirculating systems helps with hand dishwashing.
My house had 2 dishwashers (Kosher kitchen with 2 of everything) when I bought it. My friends purchased a ritzy home near me that had a brand new, unused deluxe model Bosch dishwasher...in forbidden white. They gave it to me rather than have it "hauled away." I removed the second non-matching unit and installed an ice machine and small cabinet in it's place. I use the Bosch dishwasher less than once a month.
When I was a teenager in the late 1960's I bought and had installed a TOL KitchenAid Superba in my mom's kitchen. I worked at a huge appliance store so I got a big discount. Over the course of many years I can honestly say that dishwasher was used less than 10 times. Even on holidays the dishes were done by hand. My mom converted it into a sort of built-in breadbox and kept crackers and cookies in it. We sold that house 4 years ago and I often wonder why I didn't remove it and put a cheapy in it's place. It was basically new.
I'm rough on dishcloths so I'll have to try some of the suggestions here. Many thanks.
I grew up with a mom that always started the day with a dishpan of hot soapy water and a "dishrag." I'm exactly the same way. I could not get along without them in the kitchen. My friends, all of whom use their automatic dishwashers daily, look at that dishpan and think I'm crazy. I rarely have more than a dish or two and a few utensils each day and the dog's dishes wouldn't go in the dishwasher anyway since I keep pet and people things separate. Occasionally I use the dishwasher when I entertain but even then not that often. Having one of those hot water recirculating systems helps with hand dishwashing.
My house had 2 dishwashers (Kosher kitchen with 2 of everything) when I bought it. My friends purchased a ritzy home near me that had a brand new, unused deluxe model Bosch dishwasher...in forbidden white. They gave it to me rather than have it "hauled away." I removed the second non-matching unit and installed an ice machine and small cabinet in it's place. I use the Bosch dishwasher less than once a month.
When I was a teenager in the late 1960's I bought and had installed a TOL KitchenAid Superba in my mom's kitchen. I worked at a huge appliance store so I got a big discount. Over the course of many years I can honestly say that dishwasher was used less than 10 times. Even on holidays the dishes were done by hand. My mom converted it into a sort of built-in breadbox and kept crackers and cookies in it. We sold that house 4 years ago and I often wonder why I didn't remove it and put a cheapy in it's place. It was basically new.
I'm rough on dishcloths so I'll have to try some of the suggestions here. Many thanks.
Have been using GFS Array wipers (like Handi-Wipes) for quite a while. Bought a new pack yesterday. Use Scotchbrite sponge-scrubbers on pans.
My wife makes all our dish clothes. The DW does all the dishes, but for counters, stove, other kitchen wiping I use the dish clothes. Hand washing I use the Scotch Brite blue or green sponges for my pots since they are not DW safe or the stuff that does not fit in the DW. She buys a yarn at Michaels called Sugar and Cream, it is 100% cotton and knits them to the size I like. They last for a long time even after many washings. When they do get to faded to put out in the Kitchen they get delegated to the cleaning rag pile. She had various patterns that she will knit them in and makes them in colors to match the kitchen on a daily basis and then will make them in holiday colors to.
Sponges Belong in the Ocean
I have never found a way to use sponges to clean surfaces and not leave streaks and they're dinky so it takes a lot of effort to clean large surfaces. Grew up with a dishpan full of Hot soapy water and a dishrag. I put everything that fits in the dishwasher but use soapy water and a dishrag to wipe surfaces and wash an item I am going to use again while I'm cooking. I buy large microfiber clothes in a 24 pack at Sam's and use them for wiping and drying. As I proceed through the day they migrate from dish towel to dishrag and then to laundry. I use 4 to 8 on a good cooking day. I never use a cloth two days in a row, can't stand it if they ever have a mark or stain so I wash them before they're grungy.
I have never found a way to use sponges to clean surfaces and not leave streaks and they're dinky so it takes a lot of effort to clean large surfaces. Grew up with a dishpan full of Hot soapy water and a dishrag. I put everything that fits in the dishwasher but use soapy water and a dishrag to wipe surfaces and wash an item I am going to use again while I'm cooking. I buy large microfiber clothes in a 24 pack at Sam's and use them for wiping and drying. As I proceed through the day they migrate from dish towel to dishrag and then to laundry. I use 4 to 8 on a good cooking day. I never use a cloth two days in a row, can't stand it if they ever have a mark or stain so I wash them before they're grungy.
I would use more microfiber cloths - they clean great - but they also tend to stick annoying to rough hands. And my hands are usually rough from gardening, wrenching on cars, working on the house, and my line of work. I do use a microfiber mitt to wash the cars, though, and to clean eyeglasses.
