In the days before I had a dishwasher, I used to fill a large plastic dishpan with the hot water and soap and let the dishes soak for about 15 minutes, then rinse them with clear water, just like my mom did. Letting them soak in the soapy water for a time dislodges most of the food particles and reduces the rubbing and scrubbing to a minimum. I also air dried the dishes in a dish strainer and draped the wet dishcloth on the edge of the strainer to air dry. I still use this method for items that are too delicate for the dishwasher or are too large to fit into the racks properly.

I have a friend that does her dishes one at a time with a little soap on the sponge each time and she goes through way more dish soap than I ever did. Very wasteful!

I just bought the Method dish soap for the first time.

Usually I buy whatever is green and on sale so usually I use the really concentrated stuff and cut it in half or so with water.

Do you/can you cut the Method soap the same way? It doesn't say it is concentrated like the dish soap I usually buy.

Marie,

I think most soaps can probably be cut a bit with water with no ill effects; how much water will depend on the soap. Concentrated soaps will keep their lather and grease-cutting properties for much longer than regular soaps and can take a lot of dilution. I'd use the Method at full strength for a couple washes and see how it does. If it seems like you could dilute, test it out in a separate container.

L

On a related subject -- does anyone know of some kind of cover for toothpaste? I know it sounds silly, but I've been looking for some kind of "sock" or something to cover the tube. I understand that Dior Homme Maison has one in houndstooth, but I'm looking for something less houndstoothy...Okay, I know I now sound even crazier. Will anyone humor the crazy lady? Thanks in advance.

It's amazing how when you get to the bottom of a detergent bottle and are too lazy or haven't had time to get a new bottle how much soap is really in there once you start diluting it. But then how many people dilute it after they buy a new one based on this lesson? Yep, creatures of habit, myself included.

The same goes for Kiss My Face shaving lotion. Although I've learned my lesson with this one. I don't have to dilute it but I now know the minimum amount of lotion I have to pump onto a bristle brush to work up a sufficient amount of lather.

I would recommend buying dish soap from a commercial supplier if possible as well. It's a huge difference buying one bottle of detergent for 6 months to a year rather than one every week or every couple of weeks. We just need more eco detergent on the commercial market.

i'm feeling totally paranoid right now. i was just googling plastic squeeze bottles...

Cutting the soap with water seems like a good idea (especially if you know the science behind it -- emulsifying and whatnot -- thanks maxwell for opening our eyes!)

It doesn't really fit into the kitchen aesthetics issue, but as far as soap conservation goes, I find the hollow wand sponge equally effective. I use one of those and I haven't finished a bottle of dish detergent in god knows when. And I handwash all my dishes.

I'm guessing it works similarly to the emulsified soap-water?

Also, I have to check out this Method detergent bottle! Its getting a lot of hype on here!

having no counter space, save for a small enamel top vintage table, I use an OXO dish brush with the fillable chamber in its handle and trader joe's mandarin orange dish soap. It hangs from a cup hook beneath the dish drying rack over the sink.

LOL - this discussion is very funny, as I just had this discussion with my husband last night. I had noticed before that he washed dishes by pouring detergent on the sponge a few times while doing dishes, which is completely against my way of doing dishes. But I did not want to correct him and discourage him from doing dishes. But yesterday I had it :-) my patience ran thin. He had the water running the whole time, while pouring dish soap on the sponge everytime he was scrubbing a plate.... I explained my method, which consists of rinsing one of the dirty dishes, squirt soap, pour warm water and use this soapy water with the sponge to do all the dishes. Once they are all clean and soapy, rinse with cold water... Saves water and dishsoap... I ended up doing dishes last night, but I hope he will embrace my method in the future.... :-) (hopeful wife:-)

oh true, I followed upon the Martha idea years ago and changed the detergent, oil and vinegar bottles with nice bottles with stainless steel spouts that I purchased at crate&barrel for .99 They look much nicer, and I used recycled glass bottles rather than plastic. Not too fond of the plastic thing.

Seventh generation makes dishsoap in nice scents, in a biodegradeable container (available at Fairway), and not too expensive... we decant it into a prettier container--- also, the dishsoap itself isnt colored, which i really like, since the coloring is all totally artificial anyway :)

I also got the idea of putting dishwashing liquid into an oil bottle from Martha Stewart - looked amazing. Unfortunately, the nozzle got caked and was hard as hell to clean, so I just kept the bottle underneath the sink out of sight. I just recently started using Caldrea and am so happy with it. It smells amazing and the liquid does not produce as many suds as Dawn, etc. I also wash my dishes one at a time, squeezing a small amount of liquid on a sponge every few dishes. Unfortunately, I am completely anal about really clean dishes and do not like filling up the sink with soap and water, washing all the dishes in that same water and then rinsing. Seems like old habits die hard because this is the way that my mom does dishes as well...

I use Method for most of my other cleaning (glass, wood and hand soap as well). Love the minimal advertising on the bottle and the fact that it is not expensive. I even got my mom on the Method bandwagon!!! (:

i use mrs myer's clean day products and take the labels off. all the bottles are frosted plastic.
but, julie, you have an idea for a holiday gift for compulsives like us. knitting toothpaste socks like the ones apple makes for the ipod.

I use an old, small Orangina bottle with my watered down Method. The nubby texture keeps it from slipping out of my hand, and the size works well in my small kitchen (and small household). I capped it with a pour spout I got at Target-- 2 for $4.99. I'm still waiting for a good use for the second spout. Or a good bottle to reuse. I won't go out and buy something just to get the bottle. Except maybe those really pretty blue mineral waters....

I clean my keys with dishsoap dispensed from a wine bottle with a liquor pourer spout. Perhaps tonight I'll even cut the dishsoap with a little water to emulsify it.

And to anyone who calls me crazy, I say "Baaaaaaaaa-ck off!!!!!!!"

This might be a re-posting, but I missed seeing it the first time around and find the information quite helpful! (And, judging form the volume of recent comments, it seems I am not the only one.)

I feel totally like I'm missing something....

....but doesn't the dish soap emulsify anyway when you squirt it into sink as you're filling it up with water?

Is my family the only one that washes dishes this way?

That being said, I do put my soap in a chrome soap pump, because I also use it to wash my hands in the kitchen and I do hate having the Palmolive bottle out.

Sp
Not sure if cutting soap with water is an Asian thing. I am an Asian in Asia, and this post is really very intriguing because EVERYBODY dilute liquid detergent with water here in a small bowl, so this post is giving me some ... err cultural insights? It's the stuff our mum/dad taught us the first time we are old enough to do the dishes..... so seeing this actually being discussed is ..interesting..

Other than having fun reading all the design views.. one of the minor fun things I enjoyed from Apartment Therapy is also some of the "cultural insights" that you get accidentally.. It's like the first time I went to US, I discovered " Ooh.. people eat rice with a .. FORK!!!" ( ok, over here in Malaysia, people can eat rice with one's right hand, chopsticks or a spoon, but never a fork.. )

cmei

Next to my sink, I have a chrome spray bottle for dilute dish soap -- yeah, Maxwell's little anemic plastic bottles didn't cut it for me but I like his idea of non-branded pretty dispensors-- and a chrome push pump that foams ANY hand soap that you put in it. Looks good on the granite counter top and next to the fold down Ikea dish rack I first saw on AT. I got the chrome spray bottle at the Container Store (I think) and the pump at Gracious Home.

Dorianne--you have company! I fill my single bowl sink with hot water, (the thermostat on the hot water heater is set at some level considered "safe" for kids. I forget what it is) squirt the soap into the water (pump dispenser which I tyransfer from bottle to bottle) three times quickly and then place all the cutlery facing the same way (handles toward me) on the right side of the sink and set all the glassware and mugs into the sink. (On their sides).

10 minutes or so later, I come back and wash it all and place it in the dish drainer. Hate sponges. Use a dishcloth that I wash with the towels.

Usually, there's a small person beside me drying the (nearly dry already) dishes beside me. Then I do the plates and bowls. Pots, mixing bowls, baking stuff last.

I probably do dishes two or three times a day. (Family of four.) My bottle of dishwashing liquid lasts, oh, two, three months?

I'm a slacker though, and by this I know I'm not a true AT'er--I don't decant the soap into any other container and it stays on the counter all the time. (gasp. I know.)

Question, though--in the interests of cultural exchange--what's this soap in a bowl method?

Another question: I just finished my bottle of Method all-purpose cleaner--what can I do with the bottle? It has a great pump--a beautiful shape: I hate just to toss it into the recycling. Anyone?

"I feel totally like I'm missing something....
....but doesn't the dish soap emulsify anyway when you squirt it into sink as you're filling it up with water?
Is my family the only one that washes dishes this way?!

"Don't people make soapy water in a bowl or container to clean the dishes?"

Yes normal people do! - You people are all weird if you do your washing up any other way - what do you think a washing up bowl is for? - you squirt in a helping of washing up liquid and fill the bowl with hot water - use whatever utensil you prefer to scrub at the dishes until they are clean - no more dishwashing liquid is required after that initial squirt!!

Thats the way washing up liquid is supposed to be used - dilluted in a bowl/sink of water - its NOT intended to be used neat on dishes - it you use it neat and don't rinse it off well enough it can make you ill

I dread to think how much liquid you are all getting through if you use it neat on every dish!!!

you are scary, scary people

I've nothing to contribute to this fascinating subject but as 72 people have commented before me I didn't want to be left out.

I like this idea, but I'd still have to purchase a plastic bottle of dish detergent to refill the glass bottle. Though the plastic bottles are recyclable, a lot of energy goes into making them and into the recycling process. You have given me something to think about though, and I will see if I can find a store that sells liquid soap in bulk.