How to wash dishes effectively during the holidays?

How to wash dishes effectively during the holidays?

During the holidays, there are more large gatherings than usual – family dinners and Christmas lunches with colleagues. Although such events are very fun, they always end in the same way – there are a lot of dishes waiting to be washed in the kitchen. In order not to end a wonderful evening by cleaning the kitchen for many hours, here are some tips on how to make dishwashing faster, easier and more economical.

Washing dishes by hand or machine?

Both methods have their advantages and their effectiveness depends on people’s needs. If there are a few people in the family and dishes are not in large quantities, it is wiser to wash them by hand, as the dishwasher works most economically when it is full. If there are a lot of dishes, it is definitely faster and more efficient to wash them in a dishwasher. The dishwasher can clean the same amount much faster than a person by hand.

Washing dishes under running water is one of the biggest „robbers“. Compared to machine washing, washing dishes by hand can consume almost 19,000L more water per year. This is of course the case when the dishwasher is full. If the dishwasher is operated half empty, it can consume as much water as when washing by hand.

Once the dishes are clean, they need to be dried. When washing by hand, there are 2 options – dry the dishes with a towel or place them on a dish rack. Towel drying again adds time. It is convinient to dry the dishes on a dish rack, but if you wash a large amount of dishes at once, they may not fit. Dishwashers dry the dishes themselves after washing and Miele Professional dishwashers automatically open the door after washing to allow the dishes to dry completely.

There are several aspects to consider when choosing a dishwasher. If the dishwasher consumes a lot of water and electricity, the costs can increase. Miele Professional dishwashers are very durable and efficient. In addition, they are low in energy and water consumption, making them a more environmentally friendly choice.

Ask for more information

Whether to prefer a dishwashing sponge or brush?

It is convenient to wash dishes with a dishwashing sponge, but due to its porous texture and wet conditions, it is an ideal place for bacteria to accumulate. Therefore, to maintain hygiene, the dishwashing sponge needs to be properly cleaned after each use and replaced frequently. A great alternative to a sponge is a dishwashing brush. The brush is easier to clean and dries faster than a sponge. In addition, the long handle of the brush allows hotter water to be used when washing dishes by hand, that helps to dissolve grease and better remove bacteria from the dishes.

Vikan dishwashing brushes have strong bristles and therefore last for long time. Vikan brushes can be cleaned in hot water (temperature resistance is -20 ° - + 100 ° C) and even in the dishwasher. When the bristles are flattened, they also regain their shape nicely in hot water. In addition, the Vikan brushes have scraper on the top, with which pots and pans with scorched food can be easily cleaned.

Check out the selection of Vikan dishwashing brushes HERE 

How to choose a dishwashing detergent?

When using a dishwashing detergent, the following rule applies: „The softer the water, the better the performance of the different substances and the less detergent used“. As there is hard water in Estonia, it is recommended to choose a dishwashing detergent that is intended for harder water. This also means lower costs, as less detergent is used than before. Kiehl dishwashing detergents are made in Germany and are intended for use with harder water, so Kiehl’s products are a good choice in Estonia.

Suitable for washing dishes by hand:

Dishwashers use salt, detergent and rinse aid. The salt is intended to soften the water. As a result, dishwashing detergents work more efficiently and help to achieve the best results. Rinse aid is especially important for glasses to ensure a brilliantly clean result.

Suitable for dishwashers:

How to get the grease out of the oven mold with little effort?

Traditional Christmas dishes include a delicious roast pork. Once the food is eaten, the greasy oven mold will wait to be cleaned. Cleaning the greasy oven mold by the wrong tools is quite difficult. In order for the oven mold to be easily cleaned:

• Soak it for a while in a small amount of detergent
• Use as warm water as possible for washing – warm water helps to dissolve grease better
• Choose the right dishwashing tool acoording to the material of your oven mold – wash Teflon dishes with a towel or soft brush after soaking. For a glass oven mold, you can use a dishwashing brush.
• If the food is scorched to the bottom you can easily clean it with Kiehl Xon-forte or Kiehl Jet Scouring Cream
• The scraper on the top of the Vikan dishwashing brush or Svinto steelwhool with soap helps to rub off the dirt. Before use, make sure that your dishes can withstand these strongly alkaline or abrasive products.

Clean champagne goblets with Vikan brush easily and conveniently

Champagne is often drunk during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Champagne goblets are deep and narrow and therefore inconvenient to wash by hand. Also, if there are a lot of goblets, it is quite time consuming. The Vikan bottle brush is ideal for cleaning deep glasses and the narrow dishwashing brush for wider mouth glasses.