Nobody seems to enjoy doing the dishes after a meal. After all, the not-so-soothing noise of running water, the pruning of your fingertips, and the back-breaking task of standing still at the kitchen sink for 40-60 minutes are all unpleasant scenarios. Though it’s not a chore that most individuals (especially those with kids) look forward to, it’s critical to the health of your family members; you should clean those bacteria-filled surfaces thoroughly to avoid diseases and ailments.

So, to help save you time and tackle the task of doing dishes faster, here are a few tips (try them out and you might actually be able to cut your dishwashing duty time in half).

1. Get a vessel

Instead of directly washing dishes in the sink, get a large pot or bowl and put it inside the sink. Then fill it with soapy water. Now clean as many dishes as you can until the water shows signs of dirt, then use the same water to clean the vessel. This way, you save the amount of water you need to use, clean the space-hogging supplies, and refill the sink at the same time.

2. Invest in a good dishwashing liquid

Why work longer than you need to? The right liquid will make dish cleaning so much quicker. The best ones come with a high concentration of alkyl ether sulfates (surfactants) that scrape the food from the surface of dishes and suspend them into running water. They also do a great job of lifting antibacterial ingredients and solvents, such as lactic acids and alcohols that break grease down.  Of course, the cost of the liquid might be higher than what you paid for a regular liquid, but it’s an investment that’s going to pay off in terms of time and efficiency.

3. Dedicate a system to washing dishes

Most people tasked with dishwashing responsibility would have someone standing next to them to dry and organize the dishes as you clean them. Or perhaps you’d love to have a magical dishwasher that could handle everything you place in it, including knives and wooden spoons. Because that isn’t always possible, you can try creating a decent system for tackling your just-washed dishes. stacking them up on a dish towel besides the sink is a great way to build an avalanche of cutting boards and bowls. How about getting a functional dish rack instead?

4. Practise Batch Washing

By batch washing, we mean cleaning all the plates, then the spoons, then the bowls, and so on. This method of dish cleaning is a lot faster than just dumping all of the dirty dishware into the sink. And rather than using a sponge that will slip out of your hand, use something like a heavy-duty Dishwand. The best dishwands feature a built-in scrubber that helps remove hard-to-eliminate particles without damaging non-stick cookware or scratching dishes.

5. Use hot water

Go as hot as possible. Use gloves to keep your skin protected. Hot water will soften dried-on particles quickly, as well as evaporate faster to reduce drying time. This is a lot more economical than pouring heaps of dishwashing liquid on the sponge. And the more the temperature of the water, the more likely plates and silverware will dry without streaks and spots.

6. Don’t make it a purpose to clean every dish

Just because a dish was used doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be scrubbed with water and soap. This applies to measuring cups used to measure things like granola out. Or a pot used to serve some bread. Unless the dish comes in contact with eggs, oil, or raw meat, it doesn’t always need to be washed with water and soap. Don’t shy away from giving yourself a pass to rinse certain dishes and throwing them back in the dish rack.

7. Have the right tools by your side

Dishwashing is quick when you have a sponge that comes with a scrubbing surface such as nylon or net bristles besides the softer material. Regardless of the brand you opt for, make sure to use a disinfecting solution to clean it thoroughly. Also, make sure to replace the sponges every now and then, as old sponges can easily become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Also, get a pair of gloves that help you keep a hold on slippery dishes while protecting your hands from hot water and bacteria. If the gloves have a little funky smell from the inside, feel free to sprinkle some baking soda onto them.

8. Use salt as a natural abrasive

The faster you clean the pans and pots after using them, the more efficient your dishwashing routine is going to be. As salt is a natural abrasive and is absorbent, it serves as an ideal antidote for grease. Smart individuals rub salt into especially dirty pans and pots with the help of a dry sponge to eliminate dirty residue.

9. Design a smart strategy for rinsing

Efficient rinsing is just as crucial as having the right dishwashing tools at your disposal.  A good tip is to fill one portion of the rinse with water and then do a “dunk and rinse.” Additionally, keep some stream of water flowing to ensure the dishes are clean and all of the soap has flowed away. We also suggest rinsing more than one thing at the same time, especially when it comes to silverware. You can, for example, hold one utensil, rinse it and keep it in your hand for as long as possible. Then rinse all of it together.

That’s it. You now know how to take the snail speed out of dish cleaning. As a bonus tip, make sure to do something fun as engage in this activity. Rather than standing near the sink looking at the dishes that need to be cleaned, fire up your favorite podcasts or music track – anything that adds fun to the process. Happy cleaning!