Wash up as you go. That’s the main message in out last Christmas Secret.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Stress Free Secret #5 – Wash Up!
And here we are, the last day of our Stress Free Christmas Secrets. I’ve really enjoyed putting together this mini series.
My final tip is a short and simple one, and something my grandmother instilled in me when I was all about 9 years old.
“Always wash up as you go, Lin,” she said. We were at the kitchen sink in her apartment when these words of wisdom were imparted. “That way, you don’t have a mountain of washing up to do after all that cooking.”
And so this is something I’ve always done. And as far as I’m concerned, this advice applies to every time you cook. It’s not just for special occasions when there are lots of dishes to prepare.
This is something I’ve instilled in all my 4 kids too.
Using your Dishwasher
Now I know many of you place every possible thing in the dishwasher. I don’t. There are some things that I have to wash by hand – wine glasses, knives, can openers and silver cutlery, just to name a few.
Did you know that the dishwasher will eventually ruin your high end crockery and utensils?
So in this final secret, when I say wash up as you go, we are talking a combination of the dishwasher (if you have one) and actual washing up.
If you have a dishwasher, keep stacking it throughout the morning and put it on as soon as it’s full, before you sit down for your meal. That way, it can be emptied after the meal (get an elf to do it), and you can stack it up again with the dirty dishes. Still with the elf. Or Spiderman.
What to Wash Up?
You want to wash up as much as you can. Knives, chopping boards, anything that’s not going in the dishwasher or that you are going to need to use again. So if you are going to need that same chopping board later, don’t put it in the dishwasher yet!
I tend to wash up almost every little thing as I go, because one doesn’t have an endless supply of crockery and cutlery.
You need spoons/forks for stirring and whipping, and chances are, those same forks are going to be needed for the meal. So it just makes sense to keep washing up each time you have 5 minutes to spare.
I get my kids to dry and put stuff away, so I can do it all over again. So the earlier secrets come in handy now – make sure you have enough tea towels for the day too.
Mind you, how much washing up you have to do depends in part, on how much prep work was done the day before. The more you did on Christmas eve, the less you have to do on the day, and therefore, less washing up.
How to Not Wash Up!
That sounds good, doesn’t it?
In Secret #2, Kitchen Tools, I talked about using oven-to-table ware, which means less to wash up. So if you can, roast your potatoes, sprouts and parsnips in a dish that you feel happy about taking to the table. Like these oven proof pyrex dishes (affiliate link).
Le Creuset also do a fantastic range, albeit at a higher price.
Even if you are cooking your sprouts and carrots on the stove (as I like to), why don’t you take your frying pan (skillet) straight to the table too? It gives the whole meal a rather rustic feel.
Unless of course it’s going to clash with your table decorations. Because that’s definitely a thing for some of us!
What I’m really waiting for is disposable ovenware that is also environmentally friendly. Like those foil bakeware. So less to wash up! Do you know of any that are eco friendly? Let me know with a comment below.
And that’s all, Folks!
That’s it. All my Stress Free Christmas Secrets! Told you this last day was going to be short and sweet!
And if you want a recap, here are the links to the first 4 Stress Free Christmas secrets:
All My Christmas Secrets
I hope you’ve found this mini series useful, and that it’s going to help you year after year.
My hope is that you will customise it to suit your needs, adding and subtracting as you go along.
And for those of you who celebrate other festivals, like me, it can even be changed to meet the demands of Chinese New Year, Diwali or Eid. We have 2 big open house events every year, one at Christmas, and one at Eid, as we celebrate both. I employ these same secrets for both.
It’s certainly perfect for Thanksgiving!
Get My Christmas Schedule!
Need Christmas Recipes?
Head on over to the Christmas page, for both traditional and contemporary Christmas recipes. From around the world.
And if you’re looking for Singaporean and Malaysian Christmas recipes like Curry Feng and Kek Kukus, head on over to SMR, aka Singaporean and Malaysian Recipes. It’s a small but growing collection.
If you have any questions or thoughts, or would like to share some of your secrets, let me know with a comment below. Or drop me a line via email, [email protected]
Tag me on Instagram @azlinbloor whenever you want to!
Lin xx
I’ve really enjoyed this series (and your recipes)! Thank you so very much. Have printed your schedule, such a big help! Have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones!
I’m pleased to hear that, Cassie. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas too!