Making Kitchen Chores Easier

 

Since I cook often I usually end up with dishes and pans to wash almost daily. For the longest time my sink and area for the dish drainer was very cramped. It is a small kitchen with a single sink and limited space for the drainer. I have always had the dish drainer on my right because I am right handed. It seemed to work good for me like that. When I moved here I bought the smallest dish drainer I could find. It worked okay. Except that I had to put a dish towel on the counter and put larger items such as pots and pans there. Last year I decided to update my kitchen and bought a larger dish drainer with a mat that sits under it for the water to drain into the sink. It was pricey but well worth it. 

Cutlery Baskets with Dish Drainer

The dish drainer came with a small cutlery basket. I added another one that is larger. I wish I had done that sooner. These items have made doing my dishes so much easier. No longer am I stressed out trying to pile everything in that tiny drainer. I also changed the sides where I put the dish drainer. It is now on my left and I have adapted to it. It is funny how simple changes can make such a difference in my daily life. Everything fits in the new dish drainer. Even the blender and the inner pot and lid of the Instant Pot. All in one place! 

Dish Cloth Drying Rack

To complete the dish washing chore is the dishcloth drying rack. I bought that when I moved here so it is not new. It has been a handy item to have and I cannot imagine not having it. I know these days it is rare for someone to wash their dishes by hand. I have been doing it for years though and is no big deal for me. I have had dishwashers in my past but at this time of my life I don't need one. Since I am only cooking for one, for myself, I don't really have that much to wash. I try to limit how many dishes, silverware or pans I use. 

Touch the lid and it opens!

At the same time that I bought the dish drainer I replaced the garbage can in my kitchen. The one I had was not really a garbage can but a tote with a lid. It was small and I had it sitting on a stool. I would get so mad at it because I would want to put something in it and had to use two hands to open it. I decided to replace it with a normal kitchen garbage can. It is the type with a lid that opens on its own if you touch it. Actually this thing opens on its own without me even touching it. I now keep a rock on it so it won't open. When I am working in the kitchen I keep the rock off it. If something has a problem I usually find a way around it. 

Sink Strainer & Plug

I try to wash dishes after every meal so that I can keep up with it. I hate to see my sink full of dirty dishes. Another thing I bought is a stainless steel sink plug and a strainer for the sink. That makes a big difference. If you are dreading the clean up after a meal you can wash what you use to prepare it as you go. That way when you are finished eating you can wash the small amount of dishes and silverware you used. I like to keep a dishpan of hot soapy water in the sink during the whole process. Immediately after eating I clear my table and wash the dishes. All done! Easy to do! 

Copyright © 2026 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2026 Kathleen G. Lupole