Dishwashing & Kitchen Cleanup

Purpose

Maintain a clean, hygienic kitchen through consistent dishwashing and cleanup routines, especially important with an infant in the household.

Procedure

After Each Meal

1. Scrape plates into trash
2. Rinse immediately — prevents food from drying and hardening
3. Baby items first — wash Ezra's bottles, plates, and utensils separately with baby-safe soap
4. Load dishwasher or place in designated sink area
5. Wipe highchair tray and frame
6. Wipe table and surfaces used during meal prep
7. Wipe stovetop if cooking was involved

Dishwasher Protocol

Loading:

• Bottom rack: plates, pots, cutting boards, large items
• Top rack: cups, bowls, baby bottles, small containers
• Cutlery basket: handles down for knives (safety), handles up for spoons/forks
• Place items at an angle so water drains
• Do not overload — water needs to circulate

Running:

• Run when full (water conservation)
• Normal cycle for everyday dishes; intensive for baked-on food
• Run overnight or during Ezra's nap to reduce noise

Unloading:

• Unload bottom rack first (prevents dripping from top rack)
• Put away immediately — don't leave clean dishes sitting

Hand-Washing Protocol

Must be hand-washed:

• Sharp knives (dishwasher dulls them)
• Wooden cutting boards and utensils
• Cast iron cookware
• Non-stick pans with wearing coating
• Baby bottle nipples and small parts

Order: glasses → baby items → cutlery → plates → pots (cleanest to dirtiest)

End-of-Day Kitchen Reset

1. Run dishwasher if ≥75% full
2. Hand-wash remaining items
3. Empty and wipe sink
4. Wipe all counters with surface cleaner
5. Wipe stovetop
6. Check floor for food debris — sweep or spot-mop
7. Take out kitchen trash if full or contains food scraps
8. Hang dish towels to dry; replace if damp/soiled

Sponge & Cloth Hygiene

Item	Replace/Clean	Method
Kitchen sponge	Weekly	Replace; or microwave damp sponge 2 min
Dish brush	Monthly	Run through dishwasher
Dish towels	Every 2-3 days	Hot wash with towels
Baby bottle sponge	Weekly	Replace; dedicated use only
Counter cloths	Daily	Hot wash; don't reuse across days

If Something Goes Wrong

Problem	Solution
Dishwasher not cleaning well	Check spray arms for blockage; clean filter; use rinse aid
Dishes have white film	Hard water — use rinse aid or vinegar in rinse cycle
Sink clogged	Plunger first; then baking soda + vinegar; call plumber if persistent
Sponge smells	Replace immediately — smelly sponge spreads bacteria

Notes

Israeli Context: Water is precious. Avoid running water continuously while scrubbing — fill a basin instead, or turn off between rinses.

With Infant: Always wash baby feeding items separately with baby-safe soap. Keep the bottle drying rack in a clean, dedicated spot.