When I gave up a full-time job to be at home full-time, I began cooking three meals from scratch every day. Cooking and eating at home, produces a dirty kitchen and dirty dishes.
Being sick of ending a meal with a sink full of dishes, I got smarter and came up with a strategy.
4 Habits that make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier!
Before I can begin making a meal my kitchen needs to be clean, the counters clear, and the sink free of dishes. Having a clean Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth at the sink every time I start a meal is a must.
These dish cloths are sold at Walmart in a 2 pack for $4.98. They’re a new dish cloth from Scotch-Brite®, and add a fun pop of color to the kitchen sink. They come in tan, coral and navy, but coral is my favorite. Starting meals in a kitchen that’s clean, and prepped provides the perfect environment for my culinary creativity.
I have a two part prep system which involves prepping my cooking and clean up stations. First let me tell you how I set up the cooking station.
Before I start my meals, I pull out the ingredients, dishes and utensils I’ll need. I set them on the counters along with a large bowl to collect garbage. Having everything out saves a good bit of time.
When I need something as I’m creating my dish, it’s all at arms reach.
To set up my cleaning station, I fill my sink with hot soapy water. Then I grab a clean Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth from the kitchen linen drawers along with a clean dish towel. The Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth is washable so it can be reused, just like my dish towels.
Using a Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloth saves time and space too. In the past, I’d keep a scrubbing sponge and dish cloth at the sink. I’d use the scrubbing sponge for my non-stick pots and a dish cloth for plates and utensils. My Scotch-Brite® Dish Cloth is both of those in one. One side of the cloth is a soft fiber for dishes while the other has non-scratching scrubbing dots for my pots and pans. The scrubbing power makes cleaning messy dishes and dirty counter tops easy!
I like to clean up the kitchen as I am prepping and cooking. As soon as I am done with each dish, I put them in the hot soapy water. This has makes clean up even easier. While I’m working, the hot soapy water is too. It’s breaking down the food, grease and grime so by the time I wipe them with my Scotch-Brite® Dish Cloth, the food comes right off.
While my food is cooking, I wash up any remaining dishes and wipe the counters.
These tips have helped make cleaning the kitchen after a meal easier for me for over a decade. Now that I’ve shared them with you, I hope you are excited about making a meal. Here’s a delicious dessert recipe from my kitchen.
Peach Crisp
Serves 6 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cups canned peaches
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Drain the peaches, lay them in a single layer in the baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
In a separate bowl mix the flour, sugar and egg together. I mix until it forms a mixture or clumps and fine powder but shows no signs of remaining wetness from the egg.Then evenly sprinkle the mixture over the peaches.
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Are you craving more yummy recipes and helpful homemaking tips. Click here to see what other Scotch-Brite bloggers are sharing. You can find Scotch-Brite Dish Cloth’s in Walmart on the “Paper & Cleaning” aisle.
Look out for a $1 off coupon on packages that can be redeemed at the register.
I am a clean as you go person always. Husband always laughs at me but you should see the kitchen if he's cooking…
Neely, my kids like to clean after they cook. When they see all of the dishes they complain there's too much to clean.
I need all the help I can get when it comes to cleaning our kitchen. It always seems to get messy again right after I clean it.
This habit plus using my dishwasher helps. I started my kids on kitchen tasks young so they're helpful too.
Makes sense! I absolutely agree that it is best to start with a clean kitchen. I wash as I go along to make life easier
Scotch brite is my favorite brand, and there is nothing better than a clean kitchen and savoring a nice dessert =)
Adriana, they do make great kitchen products.
Great ideas! I also clean up as I go. Makes it much easier!!!
It sure does. It's a great habit to have.
I have to look into that dish cloth. I am like you, I clean as I go. I don't like any dirty dish or utensil lying around my sink. I love a clean kitchen (and house) all the time 🙂
This is one of the best Scotch-Brite dishcloths. I use the have the scrubbing sponges, but I like these a lot better for large pots and wiping surfaces.
These are great habits to have, I am forever putting the cleaning of the kitchen on the bank burner.
Great advice! Cleaning up as you go is so important! I didn't really do that today so now I've got to tackle a full sink of dishes!
Oh no! When things get to crazy I toss them in the dishwasher on quick wash.
A clean sink makes me smile! They get messy too fast, so keeping on it like you're doing is smart.
They certainly do get messy fast with a houseful of people.
Oh I LOVE a good peach crisp. This is so easy and delicious – and I don't know why I don't make them at home. #Client
They're so easy to make so so good to eat.
Love your tips you share! ( Did you know you have two number twos?) Can't wait to make your crisp!
Thanks Diana. LOL! You'll love the peach crisp.