The Zen of Washing Dishes by Hand

It’s worth the effort.

There is a plate, two teaspoons, a fork, a Stanley insulated mug I use for my coffee, a school -bus-yellow cereal bowl with matching school-bus-yellow ceramic mug, a spatula, frying pan, and a meat fork in my kitchen sink.

It seems the pile has achieved sufficient height to warrant a washing. I like to let the mound build up just enough so I can fully appreciate having it all clean again.

I turn the faucet on hot, let the water run over the dishes. I drizzle blue Dawn dishwashing liquid in a random pattern over the pile and then onto my scrubbing sponge. First item on the top gets scrubbed, rinsed under the running water and placed in the dish drainer. Then on I go to the next item.

I look closely at each item and appreciate it’s unique design and manufacture. It was made so I could cook and serve this meal I have just enjoyed.

The plates with painted patterns add beauty and a sense of order to my life. There are bright cheerful colors and all I have to do is look at them and feel cheered up.

I feel the hot water sloshing over my hands, a meditation, slowing my heartbeat and bringing my restless mind to the moment at hand. I am in the NOW.

There is no electric dishwasher in this house. It wouldn’t matter if there were. I wouldn’t use it. I don’t see the point.

I know what to do with one. Stack all the dishes in the correct place. There is an art to it I’m told. All the dishes are put out of sight, out of mind. The machine does the work for you. A sign of civilization. It’s modern.

We must shield ourselves from the evidence of everyday life. We just had a delicious meal and now we must hide away the evidence.

Lock the door and push the button. Whrrrrrr goes the water spray. Gallons and gallons of hot water needed to erode the egg and gravy from the plates. A scrubber sponge in the hands at the end of your arms could do that in one-tenth the time and one-tenth the amount of water.

The dishes are supposed to be rinsed before you put them in the washer. If you are going to have to rinse them, why don’t you just wash them and put them in the drainer instead?

I know some of you have big families. Each family member could very efficiently carry their plate, utensils, glass, bowl, and mug to the sink, wash, rinse and stack in the dish drainer. At the same time give thanks for the wonderful meal and loving companionship.

Take turns washing the serving bowls and cooking pots. There is a way to work this out.

I’ve lived in a house that had a dishwasher. I tried. It seemed more of a pain-in-the-ass than a help. I prefer the hands-on approach that keeps me connected to the life I’m living.

The dishes are now washed, rinsed and resting the dish drainer. I use the sponge to wipe the sink clean. I wipe the countertop. I have a feeling of satisfaction as I look at it.

Now, the kitchen is clean and clutter-free, ready for the next meal to be prepared.