Are you really washing your dishes properly?

Whether you revel in doing the dishes yourself or only hand wash those items that can't go in a dishwasher, it's crucial to have efficient and hygienic dishwashing etiquette.

From bacteria-strewn tea towels to baking trays with tough, baked-on stains, washing dishes is full of pitfalls. Read on for our tips on how to avoid them so you can perfect the art of hand-washing dishes.

Remember to check our guide to the best washing up liquid.  We've tested washing-up liquids from Fairy, Ecover, Method, as well as supermarket own brands.

1. Get ready

First, if you're not sure which items should be washed by hand, check our list of the surprising items you can and can't put in the dishwasher.

Get your dirty items ready next to the sink and put on some rubber gloves if you have broken or sensitive skin.

Make sure you've looked around for any stray mugs or plates before you start.

Scrape the plates free of food into the bin. Some kitchen scraps - such as vegetable peelings - will be able to go in a compost bin. You can find more on our piece on how to make compost.  It's generally not recommended to put meat, fish, or other animal products in your compost, so put these in your general rubbish bin.

Wipe any excess grease from plates, pans or baking trays with paper towels and put them in the bin.

Never rinse grease down the drain, as it can contribute to fatbergs in the sewage system and cause clogged drains.

If you've got some tough-looking items with baked-on bits, get them soaking right away to help loosen up the stubborn stains. You can half-fill pans with warm water and a splash of washing-up liquid to help soften and loosen any stuck-on food.

Next, fill the basin with hot water and add the washing-up liquid.

The water should be at least 43°C to 49°C (110°F to 120°). This helps dissolve grease and remove food particles effectively. However, water hotter than 60°C (140°F) can be too hot for your hands.

Prefer to let a machine do the hard work? Find out how to load your dishwasher the right way and make sure you're using one of the best dishwasher tablets. You may also want to consult our dishwasher reviews.

2. Use the right tools

If you're washing your plates by hand, you may be using a sponge. But you probably shouldn't be.

Sponges are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. They never really get a chance to dry out, and the porous surface provides a perfect home for small bits of food residue to nest in. They're also not very environmentally friendly.

A brush is a more sanitary option, as they tend to stay drier between uses and it's easier to rinse away food residue from between the bristles.

What's more, the market is full of non-plastic washing-up brushes, so you'll have plenty more sustainable options to pick from than sponges.

You can find wooden brush handles with plant-based bristles made from materials such as coir (coconut fibre). Some of them even have replaceable heads, so you won't have to discard the whole brush once the bristles are at the end of their working life.

If you prefer to use a dishcloth, remember these also need to be cleaned, dried and replaced regularly to avoid the build-up of bacteria. If you hand wash daily, it's recommended you should replace your dishcloth every week, although you can find more durable options on the market you can wash and reuse.

For more tips on sustainable cleaning, read our guide. We've also compiled a checklist of when to replace these everyday items.

3. Wash in the right order

This is the classic first lesson of washing up, but it's worth reiterating briefly.

Get the cutlery in first, as it can soak at the bottom of the sink or basin without interfering with other objects in the sink.

Glassware next, while the water is still freshest. Glasses will probably be only lightly soiled, so won't require much work.

Cups and saucers can be set upon afterwards, as these too are unlikely to require much scrubbing. Then you can turn your attention to plates, bowls and serving dishes.

You're likely to get better results if you scrub items under the surface, bringing them out of the water to check for missed spots.

Next up is the pots and pans, or anything with tough or greasy stains. The items you pre-soaked should be a bit easier to clean now. Remember, you should change your washing-up water when it becomes visibly dirty or greasy, or if the water temperature drops and it no longer feels effective. 

Finally, make sure to give your cutlery the attention it deserves. After all, these items go directly in the mouth. Take the time to give each piece a quick scrub. Gathering them in a bunch under the water and shaking vigorously doesn't cut it.

Dislike household chores? Read our simple ways to help with household chores you hate for some expert shortcuts.

4. Rinse

Rinse off the suds and any residue with clean hot water.

If you have a double sink, you could use the second one for rinsing. Alternatively, hold them under a running tap or pour water over them when they're on the rack.

Make sure to rinse inside cups, glasses and bowls.

How to deep-clean your fridge:  Is your fridge dirty or smelly? Follow these simple steps to keep yours clean, stop it smelling and protect your food from harmful bacteria.

5. Stack the rack correctly

If you're getting rid of your sponge, you might want to consider ditching your tea towel as well.

These can be loaded with bacteria, especially if you tend to use it to wipe your hands as you're cooking or wipe up small spills from the kitchen counter.

Washing them regularly and changing them every few days can help reduce the risk of harmful bacteria making their way on to your dishes after they've been cleaned. But if you have the space and the time to wait, you're better off leaving your rinsed dishes to air-dry on the rack.

Stack logically as you go, especially if you have a big load of items.

Running out of space and balancing items precariously on top of others, or being forced to place items off the draining board, is likely to end in disaster.

Dishwasher vs hand washing: which is the most efficient method? If efficiency is your goal, you may be better off using the dishwasher. Which? tests show even the least water-efficient dishwasher still only uses half the amount of water compared to washing by hand.

6. Tackle tough grease

Some items will need a little extra attention to get them properly clean and grease-free, but the best washing-up liquids can help cut out some of the hard work.

To help you find the washing-up liquid best suited to the tricky jobs, we include a test to see how well each liquid tackles tough grease stains.

Our Best Buy washing-up liquids score a maximum five stars for tough grease removal. With others you'll need to put in a lot more effort before you get rid of tough stains.

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