Do You Wash Your Dishes by Hand? Here's How to Make Sure They Are Sanitized

Popping your pots, pans, plates, and other used tableware items into the dishwasher is a major time saver; the appliance does all the heavy lifting, from rinsing and cleaning to sanitizing and drying. But this isn't the only way to ensure your dishes are disinfected before they return back to your cupboards. It certainly is possible to get these essentials clean by hand—and to make sure they are safe to cook with and eat on the next time around. Ahead, we gathered insight from cleaning experts on how to properly and thoroughly hand-wash and sanitize your dishes.

First, Clean Your Sink

Before getting to your dishes, you'll want to make sure the temporary home you're placing them in is clean. Meaning, the sink. Angela Bell, a Grove Collaborative guide and sustainable cleaning expert, says vinegar is the best natural cleaner to sanitize the area, along with a cleaning cloth or sponge. "Remember to launder dishcloths regularly and keep any washing tools clean and dry in between uses," she says. "Boil or microwave your sponge to kill bacteria."

Get the Dishes Squeaky Clean

Joshua Henderson, a Colgate and Palmolive senior scientist, explains that using an EPA-registered antibacterial dish soap is essential to sanitize your dirty dishes. These products kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and eliminate germs from surfaces in just 30 seconds. Try these dish-sanitizing tips:

• Dilute the antibacterial dish soap at a 1:20 ratio with water for a sanitizing solution, Henderson says.
• Let dishes soak before scrubbing. Even a 30-second soak can be helpful before washing and rinsing.
• Never add bleach or mix dish soap with other detergents. Doing so may release toxic fumes.

Consider a Post-Wash Soak

"If you don't have a dishwasher, you can sanitize simply by using a hot water soak," says Bell. This method should be done after you've washed and rinsed your dishes as usual. Once they're clean, follow these steps:

• Fill the sink with hot water, ideally between 165 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If your tap doesn't reach that temperature, boil water in a kettle and add it to the sink to raise the heat.
• Let the dishes soak for about a minute to sanitize thoroughly.
• Wait for the water to cool before removing the dishes—or wear silicone kitchen gloves to prevent burns.

Pay Attention to How the Dishes Feel

While dishes may sparkle after giving them a good cleaning, there could be leftover residue or caked-on food. One way to tell if a dish is still dirty is if it has a gritty, greasy, or soapy feel. Henderson also notes that if a stream of water doesn't flow uniformly on a dish's surface, there could be residue on it. "There may even be bacteria or particles so small that you can't see or feel them," adds Bell. "Using the scouring end of a good scrubber sponge can be a great way to break down food particles while handwashing."

Dry Clean Dishware With a Towel

Tackle the drying process as soon as the items are clean. Bell urges people to avoid air-drying, since this can expose dishes to bacteria. Instead, consider using a clean towel, which absorbs water easily.

Wipe Down Your Cupboard Shelves

Keeping the space where your dishes permanently reside is just as important as the rest of the sanitizing process; this also helps avoid cross contamination. Again, turn to a vinegar and water solution or another pre-made disinfectant to get your cabinetry and drawers clean. Bell suggests cleaning and disinfecting your silverware holder at least once a week. "These are commonly made of plastic, stainless steel, or silicon, which means you can use the same process you use to clean your dishes," she says. "Be sure to wash down the inside of the drawer, as well!"