The Dish on Clean Dishes - Nine Tips

By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999).
Simple Solution
Sparkling clean dishes have never been much of priority for me until a friend’s immune system was lowered due to chemotherapy, and cleanliness became paramount for his health. I started looking at my dishes and was mildly horrified by how much stray bacteria (old food) I found here and there, despite decent habits and a dishwasher.
Here are the nine pots and pans and dish cleaning tips I brought out from one of my books, to remind me of what works for burned-on food and more.
1. Can’t-do-the-dishes-now soak: Sprinkle some baking soda on nonaluminum cookware, add some water, and let set until you are ready to wash them.
2. Hard Water Spots: Remove hard water spots by adding some vinegar to the rinse water.
3. Burned-on food: Add a few tablespoons of washing soda to the pan that has the burned on food, add very hot water, and soak for a minimum of a few hours.
4. Electric Drip Coffeemaker Cleaner: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a full carafe of water, and pour through a coffee maker that is empty of coffee beans.
5. Nonstick Pan Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on burned-on food, cover with water, and soak.
6. Coffee and Tea Stains: Add one teaspoon of baking soda to the cup or container, fill with water, and let set for an hour or so before washing.
7. Raw Meat: Always sterilize utensils in very hot water, such as in a dish washer.
8. Dirty Vases, Glass and China: Fill with black tea, vinegar, lemon juice, or coca cola. Let sit for at least an hour before washing.
9. White Porcelain Stains: Soak in 1 part 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water.