what do you use to wash dishes

[jessica31876]

Not the soap but like a sponge or washcloth or something else? We usually use a washcloth and change it every day or so and wash it with straight bleach in between. My husband and daughter were sick and went to the doctor and the doctor was asking all kinds of questions and said using a washcloth is really bad. She said we should get one of those brushes and wash it everyday with straight bleach and let it air dry. She seems to think that the infection came from the way we wash dishes. Of courae this is how I have always washed dishes so I just find it kinda odd that she is telling us that it is really bad to do it like this. It seems like bacteria could grow on anything you use in the kitchen (sponges, washcloths, brushes etc) depending on how often you sterilize them/change them out for new ones.

[ditzyscrap]

Have you ever tried those microfiber cloths? They're supposed to be bacteria-free or something like that...but you can't bleach them or they'll wreck.

Anyhow, we have a dishwasher so I don't handwash dishes often...but if I do, I use a clean washcloth (because I only do it occasionally, I need a new one, lol...otherwise, ewww), and we have those scrub brush thingies that hold dishsoap in the handle. I use the scrub brush mostly and then the washcloth for more delicate things and to rinse off the bigger dishes.

[mom2peanuts]

We use a sponge. I think the guy is a little wacko, I mean come on, bleach it every day. It's not like it's a public kitchen. I don't know I think that's a little too much. And honestly I doubt they got sick from your washcloth, this is the first time I've heard anything like that.

[lauren grier]

meh.. I don't think it was your wash cloth. I use a sponge.. I spray it down with vinegar every day to prevent mildew/mold growth.. have it situated so it gets air from all sides to dry.. and change it out every few days. My sponges are not going to be the death of me.. There's bacteria and germs EVERYWHERE.. being all super crazy sterile is bad and doesn't give your body the opportunity to build immunities. I'm not saying to go lick raw chicken or anything.. but yeh.. lol I'm done ranting.

[ditzyscrap]

Originally Posted by lauren grier

There's bacteria and germs EVERYWHERE.. being all super crazy sterile is bad and doesn't give your body the opportunity to build immunities. I'm not saying to go lick raw chicken or anything.. but yeh.. lol I'm done ranting.

EXACTLY! OMG, I wish people would get this, lol...

Mason was immuno-suppressed for years because of chemo, and seriously the doctors and nurses told us NOT to try to keep him away from dirt and people and stuff or his immune system wouldn't learn to build itself up. And the more people that DO hide from bacteria and germs end up getting sicker and making things worse for themselves.

[Darcy Baldwin]

We do a washcloth daily that is rinsed out in super hot water between uses. I change it out each night when I'm cleaning up for the evening. They are washed in the whites w/bleach.

I can see if you don't change them out relatively often, or if you're not taking care of sponges. But like Lauren, anti-bacterial has gone way too far and is actually starting to help create super-bacteria.

<can't stand microfiber towels...it's a texture thing for me..it skeeves me and catches on every little tiny bit of skin on my hands LOL I make Connor dust if we're using those things Otherwise I use old socks LOL

[robinforman]

I use a sponge, but wash it in the dishwasher between uses. We switch it out probably every two weeks (washing in DW every other day or so... not exactly on a schedule with it.)

[sczos911]

I hand wash my dishes with a sponge, regular dishsoap (lemon Ajax) and a washcloth for delicate items. I was in super hot water, I wear gloves and rinse in super hot water. Everything air drys in a dish rack.

I never use real bleach on my towels or clothing. But I do wash towels in hot water & double rinse due to the girls' sensitive skin. I use bleach on the garbage cans & recycling bin, but I'm not a fan.

I'd say the doc might be a little over-zealous or what have you. I, too, think that the antibacterial EVERYTHING has caused more harm than good.

[aggiefamily]

I use a paper towel or a washcloth. I know the paper towel is not reuseable but since I am just rinsing the crud off the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher it works for me. Oh- and I only use one.

I also have a brush that I use for our pots and the cast iron and it gets thrown in the dishwasher after I use it.

[rachaelsscraps]

I use our dishwasher for pretty much everything- but if I have a large pan that would take up a ridiculous amount of space in the dishwasher, I use a washcloth- but always a new one (since I don't hand wash often)...

before we bought our house and got our new dishwasher, we lived in an apartment and could only really do our laundry weekly, so I used a sponge instead of a wash cloth- but I always bought those ones that supposedly had something in them that stopped bacteria from growing, and we changed the sponge out every week and microwaved it (wet) to kill the germies. I also wrung it out and let it airdry well between uses since the water on sponges it mostly what encourages the yuckies to grow on them.

[Stacey42]

We have a dishwasher but for the occasional thing that doesn't go in there or for wiping down counters or cleaning the table we use one of those 3M scrubbies - sponge on one side, green scrubbie on the other. Ideally, I give it a wash with hot water & anti bac hand soap every day & let it air dry on the old bottle rack. Every couple of weeks we toss it.

Seriously, if it were the dishrag, my family would be ill constantly because I am not ideally taking care of that sponge on a regular basis.

[pbumbaca]

I use the dishwasher mostly but when I do wash them I use a sponge and change it out every few days. And yeah, I buy a lot of sponges!

[Paula]

We use a sponge just for washing dishes. We use those microfiber cloths for wiping down the counters, stove, table etc. That way the sponge doesn't get all stinky.

[Paula]

Oh, but we change out our sponges every few weeks.

[LenaGardner]

I use a kitchen cloth and change it at EVERY dish washing session. Most days that's just once a day but when I do more than one sinkful a day I use more cloths. I have a LOT of them, and I do a load of them alongwith my towels (all white) about every other day with bleach.

I do use a bottle brush for my cups.

[jessica31876]

I personally think the doctor is crazy. SHe filled my husbands head with all this stuff about how you should never use sponges or washcloths to wash dishes and use bleach on the dishes and always let them air dry never ever dry them with anything including paper towels. Im not to worried about it. I mean we get sick on average once or twice a year so obviously washing the dishes like we have been isnt that bad for us LOL

[tuneskids]

we have a dishwasher so most goes in there, but for the some items that don't go in (large pots/frying pans, juice jugs that get used often, etc.), I hand wash with a washcloth that gets changed out daily. I also change out my dish towel/hand towel daily, in the kitchen (and bathrooms). They all get washed about every 2-3 days with bleach.

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by jessica31876

I personally think the doctor is crazy. SHe filled my husbands head with all this stuff about how you should never use sponges or washcloths to wash dishes and use bleach on the dishes and always let them air dry never ever dry them with anything including paper towels. Im not to worried about it. I mean we get sick on average once or twice a year so obviously washing the dishes like we have been isnt that bad for us LOL

That just sounds ridiculous.

We use a scrubbie sponge (sponge on one side, scrubbie on the other) to do the pots and pans and odds and ends. Our dishwasher is not so awesome, so we try not to put much other than dishes and cups and such in there. We have a separate sponge for cleaning the counters, and both air dry on the counter after use.

I'd be sick 24/7 if what that quack said was true, LOL!

[suze]

yep dishwasher! and we use a washcloth if we need too.

[lizzyfizzy]

Originally Posted by Darcy Baldwin

<can't stand microfiber towels...it's a texture thing for me..it skeeves me and catches on every little tiny bit of skin on my hands

oh my gosh. yes, this. i have to use one on my stainless fridge and it freaks me the heck out. sooo creepy.

we use scotch brite sponges. we use them for a couple weeks (). always rinse them with hot hot water.

[DawnMarch]

I use sponges too, and then microwave them every few days to disinfect (put damp sponge in microwave, turn on high for 2 minute). The heat kills the bugs.

[mummytothree]

OMG...if that made your family sick then all mine should be dead!!! I use a dishrag for the dishes and counters and table and stove (yes the same one) and it then gets rinsed in some hot water and hung up to dry. I use it for atleast 2 or 3 days!! Hell I've been know to grab that same dishrag and wipe the baby's hands or my 4 year olds mouth!!! lord....that doctor would have a field day with me!!!

[Amy Carey]

I've got one of those nifty wand type thingies with a scrubbie on the end and you fill the handle with dish soap. LOVE that thing! My top rack on my dishwasher is broke and really the stupid thing is more trouble than it's worth so we usually just was them as we go with the scrubby thingie. I agree with everyone else, that doc sounds quacky!

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by mummytothree

OMG...if that made your family sick then all mine should be dead!!! I use a dishrag for the dishes and counters and table and stove (yes the same one) and it then gets rinsed in some hot water and hung up to dry. I use it for atleast 2 or 3 days!! Hell I've been know to grab that same dishrag and wipe the baby's hands or my 4 year olds mouth!!! lord....that doctor would have a field day with me!!!

LOL! That's how I used to be too, but Jordan would FLIP OUT anytime he saw me wipe the counters with the same sponge that was used for dishes. So I had to get into the habit of 2 sponges, lol.

[newfiemountiewife]

I knit my own dishcloths, and my MIL knits me some occasionally because my RA makes it hard for me to knit.

I change them out almost daily, and I wash everything I can fit, in the dishwasher, so basically only use it for cleaning counters and the table.

My dishrag has also cleaned the kids hands too Elizabeth LOL

[Sharon Kay]

I use my kids to wash dishes...and I've yet to get sick from it.

[alansrock]

You can put sponges in the microwave for 15-20 secs and that will dry them out too!

[ditzyscrap]

Originally Posted by Sharon Kay

I use my kids to wash dishes...and I've yet to get sick from it.

LMAO...that's awesome!

[kim21673]

I am going to be the odd man out and say the dog's tongue!!! (where is the hysterical guy laughing on the floor when I need him) I know, gross, but I couldn't resist!!!! But wait, that couldn't be true because we don't have a dog!!


Seriously now..we use the dishwasher or a sponge!!

[EveRecinella]

I use a brush...

[Kat Stokes]

Originally Posted by robinforman

I use a sponge, but wash it in the dishwasher between uses. We switch it out probably every two weeks (washing in DW every other day or so... not exactly on a schedule with it.)

This is what I do too!

[digideb]

We just let the dog lick the plates clean!
























Okay, so really we use a sponge. And throw it out about once a week.

[juliemarie]

About the only thing I dont put in the dishwasher is the cast iron pans, they get heated on the stove to dry, so I would think that kills anything anyway.

But yeah, I agree, anti-bacterial overkill isn't good either, kids never learn to fight anything off.