A Nice Clean Finish

Disclosure: I am part of the Finish Blogger Program by Mom Central. I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own. Keep reading because it’s also a GIVEAWAY!

CONTEST CLOSED.

There is so very rarely a right and wrong way to do something — especially when it comes to raising kids. Breastfeeding versus formula, organic foods versus having enough money to also maybe send your kid to swimming lessons, attachment vs. uh … regular-style parenting: there’s no black and white, one-size-fits-all solution for any family.

But hot damn if there isn’t a right way to load the dishwasher. Listen, I don’t want to micromanage the household chores. I just want my husband and kids to listen and do everything exactly like I would. Is that so wrong?

Fortunately, Finish organized a webinar in which their dishwasher technician trainer, Diane, provided tips and tricks on getting the most out of our dishwashers. So I can finally lord it over  offer expert testimonial in support of my explicit instructions.

Diane recommends: Do not nest spoons inside spoons or pots or bowls on top of one another.

I regularly find: Spoons and bowls nesting in one another, and plates and bowls facing all kinds of random directions.

Diane recommends: Double check to make sure things are dishwasher safe, but know that stainless steel water bottles and pots and pans are fine to go in so long as they’re loaded properly.

I regularly find: “Top rack only” plastic on the lower shelf (grr) and the dishwasher being run 3/4 full even though there were pots and pans that could have gone in.

Diane recommends: Don’t store powdered dishwasher detergent under the sink where it is moist. Moisture will cause the detergent to clump and activate the cleaning agents rendering it less effective.

I regularly find: Thanks to our nephew’s detergent-ingestion scare before we even had kids, we’ve been keeping our detergent on a high shelf out of kiddie reach. That’s also keeping it dry! Who knew?

Diane recommends: Using detergents that contain both an enzyme and a bleach cleaning agent (like Finish Quantum) will result in the cleanest dishes since they work in different ways to break down food proteins and to clean.

I regularly find: The dishes just don’t come out as clean when we use a cheaper detergent; it’s a fact. The glasses are cloudy, the coffee cups are stained and you can forget about pots and pans.

I’m pretty sure my husband can catch onto these simple tricks. Now if I can just get my kids to remember to clear their own plates and cups and then teach them how to tell dirty dishes from OH NO THAT’S FULL OF CLEAN DISHES DON’T EMPTY THE MILK ALL OVER … NEVER MIND. Baby steps.

This is the final post in the Finish campaign, dear readers, but something tells me that bitching about the dishes will never really be over.

But so you might not have to, A GIVEAWAY. Enter to win two boxes of Finish Quantum by:

• Leaving me a comment here on this post.
• Canada only
• HURRY because the contest closes at midnight on Sunday, June 3.
• One entry per person
• I’ll use random.org for the draw
• If I cannot contact the winner or do not receive a reply within a week, another winner will be drawn.

We have a winner! Congrats Rita.