Comments on: Kitchen Tip: Draining Board

By: Cherryl

Cherryl — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:07:38 +0000

I also got rid of the drain rack system and only use a dish towel for air drying dishes if there are a lot of them. I’ve lived in humid climates like Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, and now Missouri, and mold can be a problem if you aren’t cleaning the drain rack with bleach on a weekly basis–not to mention hard water accumulation. I keep dishes washed throughout the day and put them away immediately as I wash and dry them. I also replace dishcloths and go through at least 4 dish towels daily, air drying them on towel bars in the laundry room until their weekly hot bleach wash. It’s a response to years of living in humid environments where bugs can be a problem.

Another habit is to NEVER allow anything to lay on the floor: no clothes, towels, toys, clutter, no rugs, nothing except furniture touches the floor. Nothing is allowed to accumulate, either. No paper, no cardboard boxes, ever! Everything stays tidy and is kept swept up every day. Mold and bugs like undisturbed clutter, paper, cardboard boxes, and wet places like drainboards and drain racks. As a child growing up in Florida, we dried out the sinks, tubs, and showers after using them to keep bugs and mold away. It wasn’t a difficult habit to keep up with because we actually spent far less time on cleaning and cooking since the house was always neat and clutter free.

By: Kika

Kika — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:01:57 +0000

Honestly, I’ve never had mold or anything grow on my dish rack. It mostly is used for pots and stainless steel water bottles, etc. (Dishwasher is used for everything else). Periodically I give it a spray with my all-purpose cleaning solution(vinegar, water, tea tree oil), let it sit for a few minutes and wash off. Years ago I used a towel too but prefer my drainer.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:00:51 +0000

Hello Aletha! I love hearing how your bosch mixer has lasted you so long! That is awesome. I honestly do not know of any other product that is superior to it. The Bosch ranks the highest in my opinion! Thanks for stopping by!

By: Aletha K

Aletha K — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:54:22 +0000

Good morning my dear friends! I’ve found you! I can hardly believe it, but my Bosch Mixer motor is dying. It’s only lasted a few decades of daily use. Argh… My hubby has found that he can likely purchase a replacement base. Isn’t that amazing? But, I thought before we did that, I’d ask all of you if there is anything new/better on the market. I can’t imagine a heftier workhorse but I haven’t been in the market since my 30 year old was born!!! Please let me know if you have recently researched. Love to you all. Aletha K

By: Mrs. T

Mrs. T — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:07:00 +0000

Thanks for the tip I don’t have a drying rack either for the same reason. I usually just put a towel down, wash/rinse/ and place on the towel, then finish drying them with a towel and put them away. We do have a dishwasher, so I don’t need to do this often thankfully Dishes are my least favorite chore!

If you have a range electric stove, another thing that can make your kitchen look clean and tidy are burner covers I love mine, and I got them on eBay for a couple of bucks including shipping

By: Lindsay Edmonds

Lindsay Edmonds — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:52:00 +0000

Samara, I don’t have a dish rack either for that same reason. It does make it significantly easier to put things away as you use them in your kitchen (spices return to their place, dishes get put in the dishwasher, etc). This is an important habit to develop! I started yesterday just drying the dish immediately after washing it and eliminating the draining board all together. It worked surprisingly well.

By: Samara Root

Samara Root — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:45:00 +0000

Hi Lindsay,

I intentionally did not buy a dish rack. I put a towel down on the counter and put the rinsed dishes onto it, then I (try) to immediately dry them/put them away. Besides, I can’t stand dish racks! Unless you are meticulous they are always accumulating mold and gross scum on them . I like the “Fly Lady’s” way of doing dishes, if you keep them going throughout the day, or as you cook, they don’t pile up nearly so much.

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:28:00 +0000

I try to wash and dry too. I LOVE a completly clean kitchen. (It will get easier when your little one is older. My girls and I can get it done in no time flat!)

Thanks for the tip. I like your site - I will visit again.

Blessings,
~Jane

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:33:00 +0000

I know what you mean! I hate having dirty dishes piled up. My goal every night is to have a COMPLETELY clean kitchen.

Amy @ http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/kitchen-tip-tuesday-salt-dough-ornaments/