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Because many of us are cooking a lot more than usual, many of us are cleaning a lot more than usual, too. And even if you have a dogmatic system that works for you, the drudgery of dish-washing can make the already-exhausting task of cooking even more so.
But don’t despair (you have no choice!). These eight products might not make you look forward to doing the dishes (who are we kidding), but they will make the process a little less painful. And right now, that’s good enough:
The official sponges of the BA Test Kitchen, these never get stinky. You’ll know it’s time for a fresh one when the design on the top fades.
Small, thin towels are great for tucking into an apron, polishing drying glasses, and standing in for cloth napkins, but when it comes to the dal that bubbled over, or the cup of coffee you accidentally knocked, you need a super-absorbent towel that will get the job done.
These gloves are durable yet flexible, and the folds prevent water from dripping down your wrists. Read more about why we love them here.
Plant-based, biodegradable, and refillable, this dish soap is gentle on skin but tough on grease.
If there’s a stain that just won’t fade, try this near-magical cleaning powder, which will make your pots, pans, and baking sheets glitter anew.
Made of durable waterproof palm fibers, it pulls off burnt crusties from your cast iron without damaging it. It’s also great for cleaning vegetables. Read more about how to put it to use here.
Can dish racks be cute? Minimalist-chic and just big enough, it contains drips, is easy to wipe clean, and won’t take up too much counter space.
Peter Miller’s carefully laid-out dish-washing strategy will help you find the joy (seriously!) in dish-washing. It also makes a great gift (i.e. hint) for your messy roommate/partner/teenage child.
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