Cleaning > DishesJune 25, 2010

Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?

Here is a simple way to make a tag for your dishwasher to end the confusion of dishes that are "clean" or "dirty". I picked up free paint sample cards at my local department store, taped them back to back with double stick tape, and clipped them on the front of the dishwasher with a magnetic clip. You can simply write "clean" on one side and "dirty" on the other. Flip the card over as needed so everyone will know the status of the dishes inside. There are so many pretty colors available, you are sure to find ones that will coordinate with your kitchen.

By lmatty from Maryville, TN

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By
06/26/2010

That's a good idea-easier than the way I did it. I made a 2 sided tag on a loop of yarn & hung it on a sticky-backed hook I put on dishwasher. Now I have something I bought for that purpose.It's a round magnet with a "spinner" on it. Half black for "dirty" & half white for "clean", spin it so top is whatever the dishes are it works great until the grandkids come over & spin the dial!

By
06/26/2010

How about keep the door latched if the dishes are clean-unlatch the door if the dishes are not cleaned yet. Just a thought.

By
06/26/2010

I love the color co-ordinating idea with the paint chip samples! What I do is: If the latch is locked, they are clean. If the latch is unlocked, they are dirty. But then again I live alone so don't have to worry about my rule being broken. ;-) LOL!

By
06/26/2010

I fill the soap dish as soon as I empty the dishwasher, if the soap dish is closed: dirty! open/empty: clean!, works around here and easy for me to ask 2 teenage boys to start the dishwasher when all they have to do is lock and start (I know, I know).

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(Archived Jun 25, 2010)Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?

Tip: Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?

Is the family always asking if the dishes in the dishwasher are clean or dirty? Here's an easy method for them to know. I fill the dishwasher's soap dispenser whenever I place dirty dishes in the dishwasher, even if it's not full enough to run. If the soap dispenser is filled, the dishes are dirty. If the dispenser door is open or empty, the dishes are clean and ready to use or put away.

By Cheryl from Missouri

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RE: Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?

Hi Cheryl, Our detergent dispenser doesn't work so I just toss detergent into the bottom of the dishwasher, so even tho your way is real good idea it won't help in our case. I went to the office supply store and bought for practically pennies, a clip-on name badge. I took a bright colored index card and printed on one side DIRTY and on the other side CLEAN, and slipped it into the plastic sleeve on the badge.

When the dishwasher is open, I clip the badge to the edge of the top rack where it is very visible, indicating whether they are dirty or clean.

Lately I just clip the proper side showing from a cuphook on the wall above the dishwasher and that works just as well. (04/16/2005)

By darween

RE: Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?

I never use the dry cycle in my dishwasher. I unlatch it, and dry the bottoms of the cups with my tea towel, then let them air dry. (that way, there isn't a stain from the puddle on the bottoms of the cups)

Then, I just drape the tea towel over top of the cups in the upper rack until someone (usually me! grrr) puts them away. If it's inconvenient to leave the door open, I just push it up so that it is partially closed enough not to fall open, but leaving a bit of space for air to dry the rest. (10/08/2006)

By Ann

RE: Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?

I use 2 dragon fly magnets. 1 is brown-(dirty dishes), the other is pink (clean dishes). Just don't forget to change the pink magnet to brown when your done unloading the clean dishes. (01/05/2008)

By Diane C- Modesto, CA.

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