Good
morning Wanda,
While
reducing the number of plates you keep readily available may be a good idea, I
think keeping out the same number of plates as you do frying pans is
unrealistic. Since your object is to force yourself to do dishes more
frequently, think about how often you want to make yourself do dishes. Is it
once a day? After every meal? How many plates, bowls, etc do you use in that
time frame?
Do you have
a dishwasher? If so, I would like to encourage you it use it. The hotter water
the dishwasher uses can sanitize your dishes. Also, running the
dishwasher generally uses less water than hand washing. There are only 3
of us in my household. I have a dishwasher and usually run it once a day. Except
for my cast iron pans, I wash most everything in it. I have a set of 8 place
settings that I use daily. This allows for serving snacks on plates,
salads on plates and having guests.
A time
saving tip, I keep a spray bottle with dish soap and water under my sink. I use
it to wash dishes when I only have one or two things to wash. It is
very handy for keeping your stove and kitchen counters clean. While I don't do
it personally, (I can't stand what I call a crowded sink.) many find it helpful
to prepare a sink of dishwater to use as they cook. As you finish using an
item you add it to the dishwater. After the meal, these dishes have
almost washed themselves!
Can you
think of a reward to give yourself every time you do dishes in a timely fashion?
While it is difficult at first, washing up after every meal becomes easier with
practice. Have your son help you, it is good family time! (I learned this from
experience.) Pay attention to your personal preferences. I found it much easier
to do dishes and keep my kitchen clean once I recognized I hated having more
than one item in the sink at a time.
Good luck
and kindest regards,
Vanetta
A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.- Dorothy Fisher
-----Original Message-----In a message dated 5/20/02 11:57:44 AM Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 5:35 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [JFC]: decluttering.........
everything I have I think may come in useful one day.
Elaine,
One thing that has been helpful for me is to ask myself, "Have I used this in the past year?" Most of the time I have not needed the item. I find that I use the same stuff over and over. I wear my favorite jeans/ T-shirt/dress clothes/shoes, etc., most of the time. The other clothes take up closet space. I also use my favorite towels and dishes repetitively.
Last night while washing dishes I really considered keeping only the basic of dishes, cookware, and utensils out. As in 2 plates, 2 bowls, 2 spoons, 2 boilers, 2 frying pans. As it usually is only my son and me here, I would be forced to wash dishes more frequently. The rest of my kitchen items would be stored out of immediate reach. Even as I type this I think it is crazy, but back in my mind I am still considering it.
With love,
Wanda
