The Dish on Clean Dishes: 9 Tips

Sparkling clean dishes have never been much of priority for me until a friend’s immune system was lowered due to chemotherapy, and cleanliness became paramount for his health. I started looking at my dishes and was mildly horrified by how much stray bacteria (old food) I found here and there, despite decent habits and a dishwasher.

Here are the nine pots and pans and dish cleaning tips I brought out from one of my books, to remind me of what works for burned-on food and more.

1. Can’t-do-the-dishes-now soak: Sprinkle some baking soda on non-aluminum cookware, add some water, and let set until you are ready to wash them.

2. Hard Water Spots: Remove hard water spots by adding some vinegar to the rinse water.

3. Burned-on food: Add a few tablespoons of washing soda to the pan that has the burned on food, add very hot water, and soak for a minimum of a few hours.

4. Electric Drip Coffeemaker Cleaner: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a full carafe of water, and pour through a coffee maker that is empty of coffee beans.

5. Nonstick Pan Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on burned-on food, cover with water, and soak.

6. Coffee and Tea Stains: Add one teaspoon of baking soda to the cup or container, fill with water, and let set for an hour or so before washing.

7. Raw Meat: Always sterilize utensils in very hot water, such as in a dish washer.

8. Dirty Vases, Glass and China: Fill with black tea, vinegar, lemon juice, or coca cola. Let sit for at least an hour before washing.

9. White Porcelain Stains: Soak in 1 part 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water.

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Winn A.

7:09PM PDT on May 5, 2012

Thanks

May 5
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Duane B.

2:30PM PDT on May 4, 2012

Thank you for sharing.

May 4
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Michele W.

3:16AM PST on Dec 6, 2011

Thank you

December 6
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Joe S.

4:31AM PST on Dec 4, 2011

Everyone, thanks for the information.

December 4
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Richard K.

2:17PM PDT on Jul 22, 2011

Anyone hear of a new product that restores the original formula of dishwashing detergents. Just wondering. Some friends talked about a phosphate-based additive that can be purchased, but I've never seen it.

July 22
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Past Member .

2:25PM PST on Dec 3, 2008

I know i have had a problem with gray marks on my white china and i found out the hard way to NOT use bleach! Bleach ruins the glaze. I looked everywhere for a safe, non-toxic way to get the marks off and i found a liquid cleaner called chinamate that you soak your white china in and it removes the marks w/o hurting the china.

December 3
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Melissa F.

8:49AM PDT on Apr 26, 2008

Sunny, White vinegar should do the trick--you will need to let is soak a while--for the shower head, take it off- for the shower stall I usually soak and old towel in vinegar then drap it over the area and let is sit for several hours.

April 26
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Sonja T.

7:35AM PDT on Apr 26, 2008

I need a non toxic cleaner for lime build up/ hard water spots on shower

Mike A.

9:38AM PDT on Mar 23, 2008

there is a new product out called the dishwaher filtration system. you can get it at dishwasherfilter.com and it is very affordable. it is like 50 bucks and actually filters the water going into your dishwasher. after i hooked it up(which took like 10 minutes) the first load i ran was crystal clear. i have very hard water and tried everything and my dishes still looked cloudy with white spots. there is a coupon code you can use to receive 10% off. it is DFMTEN and you will be amazed how clean your dishes look. it also come with a money back gurantee but i wont be returning it. hope this helps. thanks