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| My small (and well-loved!) kitchen |
My kitchen is teensy. I can literally stand in one place and stir something on the stove, put something in the fridge, wash a dish in the sink, and get something out of a cabinet. It's a one-stop shop. :)
On the other hand (you know, the one still stirring something on the stove!), my kitchen counters get cluttered in the blink of an eye. I find myself in middle of cooking a big meal, pulling food out of the oven, and having absolutely no place to put it because the counters are covered with onion scraps, cutting boards, and mixing bowls.
Did I mention the kitchen has no dishwasher?
So when I read Flylady's suggestion for storing dirty dishes under the kitchen sink, I knew I had to give it a try. For several weeks now I've been sticking dirty dishes not in the sink, but in this handy plastic bin which I keep tucked under the kitchen sink, filled with sudsy water.
What an awesome space-saver for my genie-bottle kitchen!
Have you ever tried something like this? Or does your dishwasher serve as your "dirty dish disposal"?
To go along with this kitchen sink mini-series, Gain (in partnership with My Blog Spark) sent me some of their new dishwashing liquid to try out. The "Original" scent that they gave me has a apple-fresh fragrance that is very pleasant.
In addition, my hands (which are prone to breaking out after I wash dishes) have not shown any signs of breakout while I have been using the Gain dishwashing liquid in the last month, which is a definite plus for me (Note: I'm not making any medical claims here, just sharing my experience). I keep my eyes peeled for coupons, because sometimes P&G releases a $1/off any Gain dishwashing liquid coupon. My local Wal-Mart typically sells the 11 oz bottle of Gain for $.97, making it free after the coupon.
You don't have to wait for the coupon, though, because P&G has provided me with a $10 Wal-Mart gift card to give away to one of my readers. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered (with your email addy!).
Tomorrow I'll share the improvement to my kitchen sink nook that made a recent house guest of mine exclaim, "This makes me want to wash dishes!" You know it must be good to make someone say that...
(You can find the first part of this kitchen sink mini-series here.)
Disclosure: P&G provided me with Gain dishwashing liquid, 3 t-shirts, and a gift card through MyBlogSpark. All opinions are my own.
The last day to enter this giveaway is November 16th. The winner will be chosen using random.org.
The last day to enter this giveaway is November 16th. The winner will be chosen using random.org.
There are two other giveaways currently running:
My momma uses her dishwasher to hold clean dishes she washes by hand. I know, it sounds crazy!
ReplyDeleteThat's so smart!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you had enough space in your cupboard to stow a handy dandy bin.
Yes, our dishwasher is our dirty-dish holder. I try to make sure dirty things go into it as quickly as possible and don't fill the sink or the counters.
I miss our dishwasher!!! We survived the first 1 1/2 yrs w/o one, but I've been blessed with one for the other 7 yrs...now we're renting, and I'm back to washing dishes by hand. I love the tote idea, but it surely wouldn't fit underneath my sink! :-)
ReplyDelete~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
My dishwasher is my dirty-dish holder as well. Since there are just 2 of us, I can go several days (unless it's a baking day or a lots-of-dishes meal) without washing them, so I make sure that they're rinsed off really well before putting them in the dishwasher, but for some reason, they look cleaner and less spotty and I feel like they're cleaner when they come out of the dishwasher, so I never go to the trouble of actually finishing washing them by hand after I rinse them! (Unless they're dishes like my "babies" - stoneware and cast-iron - that can't go in the dishwasher.) I also handwash my nonsticks and usually my stainless. Thanks for running another giveaway! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great giveaway. I don't even have the room for that in my kitchen! My dishwasher is not working either. I think it is from my husband putting it it lol!
ReplyDeleteawatts@atd-us.com
What a great idea! I could've used this in my old kitchen. It was teeny-tiny! I'm blessed to have a large kitchen now. It's one of my favorite rooms in my home. :o) Thanks for sharing. Happy Tuesday! Larri at Seams Inspired
ReplyDeleteI am also a FLYbaby but have no space under my sink to move the dirty dishes - need to declutter under there first!
ReplyDeleteshannonsnail@hotmail.com
Our kitchen is tiny too--which is funny, because last year when we were in student family housing, the kitchen was huge! We do have a DW though--I applaud your optimism about not having one.
ReplyDeletepridgenkad(at)gmail(dot)com
Can you believe I've never even used our dishwasher?
ReplyDeletemami2jcn at gmail dot com
I have to agree the new Gain dishsoap smells WONDERFUL.....right now I have the lavender, and will definitely be buying it again. As for my kitchen....I really have to work on decluttering the appliances I don't use because they're taking up so much cabinet space ;) My best buy to date was a countertop dishwasher (takes up a lot of space) but only spent $50 on it thru Craigslist!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and am loving it....keep up the good work :)
Laura
freakinwonderful@gmail.com
I've never used Gain dishsoap...now I have to check it out just so I can smell it! :)
ReplyDeleteMissy
missyolivo@hotmail.com
@ Laura, yes...I am using the lavender right now, too. :) I love pretty much anything lavender.
ReplyDelete@Mami2jcn: No, I can't believe you've never used your dishwasher!!! Why ever not?
Candi, your mom sounds so funny! Kind of like my grandmother...extremely clean.
I knew there was a reason that I was excited about todays blog post! I love this idea! I cannot wait to try it out. And thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy dishwasher was broken for a month and I was not a happy camper. I hate doing dishes.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, you know my hands break out too if I keep them in water a lot or use abrasive cleaners. I'd like to try this product!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win. I've tried the Dish soap and it seems to work pretty well
ReplyDeleteChristine
dazed1821@aol.com
BRILLIANCE!! (And I hate all caps!) Seriously. That is stinking amazing!! I am sharing this on Facebook immediately, so you'll like get traffic from my way. In fact, I'll post it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://facebook.com/MarnisOrganizedMess
I'm a wash as you go kind of girl and I can't handle lots of mess in the kitchen :-) I wish I had enough space to use a bin like that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Oh i so could have used this idea when we lived in a tiny apt!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your day!
It really is amazing how much wonderful food can come out of such a tiny kitchen. Were itty bitty kitchens a trend of the '50s I wonder?
ReplyDeleteNo dishwasher for us either. There's not really enough space in our kitchen for one anyway (unless we got a rolling one, which my mom had when I was growing up and I hated).
Thanks for sharing the idea of putting dirty dishes under the sink. I'll be contemplating that one.
Nice! We don't have a dishwasher either...
ReplyDeleteMy dishwasher is used both ways: sometimes I use it to hold my clean dishes that I've washed by hand, but lately I usually use it to hold my rinsed dirty dishes until it's all full then I run a load. Enjoyed reading your post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for dirty dishes! My kitchen is pretty small as well and we don't have a dishwasher either. And as I stand typing this, my kitchen is a wreck, with dishes everywhere in prep for dinner tonight! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome idea, I have a dishwasher which i stick my dirties in, but my mom doesnt, Im totally going to tell her about this! she too has a tiny kitchen but is always cooking huge meals!
ReplyDeleteThe bin of soapy water is a great idea, why didn't I think of that simple idea??
ReplyDeleteOopps, I forgot my email, it is brooks.katie85@gmail.com
ReplyDeletei LOVE the gain dishwashing liquid. it smells so wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. And I'd love to win. I have a large kitchen with one counter designated for dirty dishes.
ReplyDeleteWe have a huge kitchen but no dishwasher. Even when we had a dishwasher, we never used it so I don't even know how to use one. And I do cook most days. That's a good way to keep the dirty stuff out of site.
ReplyDeletejoycelau319 at yahoo dot com
I know all too well about teensy tiny kitchens lol
ReplyDeleteYour description about standing in one place to multi-task is so accurate of my kitchen! lol
I actually have not tried the Gain dish detergent yet, but would love to!
Thank you for the chance to win!
ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com
My Kitchen is also super super tiny (I live in NYC, lol) This sounds like a GREAT idea!!
ReplyDeleteI like your kitchen, I think it's adorable. Thanks for the giveaway. I'll be back to visit your blog.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fabulous idea. I have to look for the gain dish soap too!
ReplyDeletemommy2kaleebug@gmail.com
My kitchen is just a little bit bigger than your's. I must try this idea!
ReplyDeletebkittie@hotmail.com
yes, our dishwasher is where I store my dirty dishes and I am very thankful for it. dar.sieb at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI tried the flylady idea for a tub under the sink, however I didn't put sudsy water in the tub. (great idea!) Unfortunately I found that outta sight meant outta mind...and they built up and started stinking. Meh!
ReplyDelete:) my email is in my blogger profile!
xo, June
we didn't use to have a dishwasher..but now I store our dirty dishes in the dishwasher, all the while being grateful that I have more time to play with my kids and less time standing at the sink :) Great idea for under the sink!-Liz I.
ReplyDeletechlives at hotmail dot com
I have a dishwasher but I like the idea of having a bowl or something with soapy water to just throw stuff into b/c our dishwasher isn't the greatest at getting everything clean. My email is wendy@marshill.cc
ReplyDeleteI love the scent of this dish soap!
ReplyDeletesnugles4433@hotmail.com
shelby
People think I'm crazy but I love washing dishes. It's like a little spa vacation for me. LOL. Vacuuming is another matter however. Ish.
ReplyDelete~K http://scr.im/nerak
Karen, that's hilarious. Want to trade jobs? ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post! My family lives in Israel, and hardly ANYONE has a dishwasher over there. it's a luxury item. So, my family is pretty used to washing by hand. I , however, am not. What an awesome, awesome idea!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...I'll stick to my dishwasher, but it would be great to have some place to stash dishes if someone were coming over and I wanted the house cleaned up, but didn't have time. I'd love to try the Gain dish soap...normally I'm a Dawn girl, but am willing to try some thing different.
ReplyDeleteI really want to try the gain dish soap, I'm sure it smells heavenly!
ReplyDeletecountrycookinmama@gmail.com
Oooh I wanna win!
ReplyDeletejlouisesmith at yahoo dot com
I have been aiming to unload the dishwasher daily and then load as I go, but this sounds like a good idea when I don't get around to unloading!
ReplyDeletehmexecutive@yahoo.com
Diana
Apple-fresh fragrance sounds yum.
ReplyDeletetcarolinep at gmail dot com
This is my fav dishsoap! Thanks! butterfliez79 at msn dot com
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love the smell of that stuff!
ReplyDeletendisilvio @ gmail dot com
Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteWe have a dishwasher and I'm so thankful for it. I find it hard enough to wash dishes even with using the dishwasher. I think I bake too much :) whatmegansmaking[at]gmail[dot]com
ReplyDeleteFrom a man's point of view this dish thing underneath was ingenious. Glad I read your post.
ReplyDeleteLove Walmart!
ReplyDeleteCarmen
nemesis_33012 at yahoo dot com
Great idea to have a bucket of soapy water under the sink! I have a small kitchen too.
ReplyDeleteAnother space saving idea I've seen is putting the dish drainer right above the sink on a shelf built with slates so the water drips down into the sink; saves counter space.
ReplyDeletemcbroom.family.73115@gmail.com
Gain is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteSmells sooo good!
kellyoboyle36@gmail.com
I love the idea of the soapy water under the sink! We simply don't have the room though. Hmm, something to keep in mind for the next home.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I cant wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteGraceisrad123@yahoo.com
that is a really neat idea! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI really love this idea and am thinking of using it for Thanksgiving dishes this year! thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh what would I do without a dishwasher! ;)
ReplyDeleteserenadecesare[at]yahoo[dot]com
Every single product that Gain has smells amazing!!
ReplyDeleteGain is amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe dishwasher is one of my favorite appliances so I'm seriously in awe of you for making due without one...you are superwoman in my eyes!!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! We love Walmart! :)
ReplyDeletemisterjimmy at sbcglobal dot net
What a great giveaway! hpb157@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteOh I have a tiny kitchen and no dishwasher. Can you explain how you "work" with this? Is it a pain to dump out the water from the tub? Do you wash/dry/put away as you do the dishes or do you let them air dry in a dish drainer? Help!
ReplyDeleteAmy
www.crazyforthecountry.com
Amy, I fill my bucket with about 3-4 inches of water, so it's not super heavy. I wash dishes in the morning after breakfast and after dinner...sometimes just after dinner. I haven't found it to be a pain to dump out the water!
ReplyDeleteI do not dry my dishes right away. While it would be nice to have the drainer empty and then put away, I would rather save time by letting them air-dry. Also I'm not sure where I would "put away" the drainer. :)
Leaving a comment for my reader Maria, who has been unable to post comments. She says:
ReplyDelete"I keep a second dish drainer stashed on the top shelf of a closet for when the dishes pile way too high. Then at least I have a place for most of them when they're washed.
Maria
blueskyandsunshine2006 @ gmail . com"
Great ideas for space saving and cleaning ideas
ReplyDeletea10small at hotmail dot com
Maria~what a great idea! I normally just use one of my sinks for the additional drying space.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alicia, for your reply :-)
Such great ideas! Love your page! mrsk0396@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteGain is one of the best smells in the world!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea if you have room in the cabinet. Better than my MIL, she puts hers in the oven.
ReplyDeleteseknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
Gain is one of my favorite dish detergents!
ReplyDeletebrewcrew27(at)comcast(dot)net
am so surprised that my hands are as dry as they get in cold winter climates...maybe the Gain would help :)
ReplyDeletejandhwilloughby@yahoo.com
I like Gain-I am on my 3rd bottle-right now is the Lavender Vanilla which smells so good
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Great idea for the dirty dishes. Have just tried the new Gain and love it.
ReplyDeletehuntandride@hotmail.com
This would be wonderful to win! Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeletekhmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I wish I had a dishwasher...this 1960s house wasn't built with space for one!
ReplyDeletebebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Our dishwasher is our dirty dish holder too. What a clever idea though about the bin with the soapy water! That way our sink would not get so full with dishes that need to soak.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
robandleighbright@suddenlink.net
We've never had a dishwasher. Fortunately in my family we didn't have too many dishes between us all, so it was pretty easy to clean them all by hand.
ReplyDeleteI did relish the time that we were away and had a dishwasher in our Timeshare kitchen. I thought it was fun to just load up.
dreamajeanie@gmail.com
I love this idea and would love to try the new Gain too! I'm constantly washing a dish or two to keep the sink clean and it get's time consuming.
ReplyDeletelisalmg25 at gmail dot com
Sweet!
ReplyDeletekatiekarr at gmail dot com
We actually never use our dishwasher. We clean all our dishes by hand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
rawrms at gmail dot com