DRAFT


====== Doing dishes ======

Some folks use disposable utensils and plates to avoid having to wash them -- this is especially useful if you are [[water:drinking|water]]-limited.  

Others use regular plates, cookware, and utensils and clean them after use. This article is about reusable items.


===== making less mess =====

  * "one pot" meals means only cleaning one pot
  * using one utensil (knife, spoon, or fork) means only cleaning one utensil
  * eating out of that one pot means not having to clean a bowl or plate

==== making cleanup easier ====

  * if you have water left over from cooking (pasta water, juices from canned veggies, etc) soak any tough stuck-on bits while you eat.  
  * if you don't have leftover water use a spray bottle to wet dirty surfaces
  * scrape off or use a paper towel to wipe away as much gunk as possible.  Dogs are also useful for pretreating the items.
  * if you have a sink you may want to mount a drying rack over it so any drips land in the sink  

==== making cleanup "cheaper" ====

//Cheaper// as in //using less of your resources//.

  * turn off the water spigot/pump when not actively using it.  
  * use a spray bottle to apply the minimum amount of water to clean the object.  Some people mix in a little vinegar.
  * you might use [[water:nonpotable|non-potable]] water for the initial washing then use drinking water for final rinsing and sanitizing.  
  * when using dish soap, use the minimum amount required to do the job; this will mean using less water to rinse away the soap.
  * if there are free newspapers available, after reading you might use the paper to line your plate similar to how fish and chips are traditionally served in newspaper.