Do you get tired of answering the question “Is the dishwasher clean or dirty?”, or do you find yourself yelling “It’s clean!” when somebody starts putting their dirty utensils in the unloaded dishwasher, at which point the person has to identify and fish out that dirty fork from the clean utensils basket?
I can’t be the only person who finds these scenarios annoying. So I googled “dishwasher clean/dirty sign”, which turned out 218 000 hits! How about this one? Too creative?
Henry the Buttonsmith Clean-Dirty Dishwasher Magnet
Inspired by the abundant creative solutions to this apparently wide spread problem, I decided to put an end to it right there on the spot.
Ok, tutorial time! Are you ready? Here it goes:
How to make a “dishwasher clean/dirty sign”:
1. Grab a magnet.
2. Stick a letter “C” (for “clean”) on it.
End of tutorial.
Seriously, this is one of those solutions that seem too simple to share. But it saved me so much frustration that I couldn’t keep it secret. A magnet and letter stickers can be found in any craft store, as well as Walmart and Target. Easy and cheap!
Normally, you would put your magnet on your dishwasher door. However, if your dishwasher door is not magnetic, or if you have little kids in the house, you can’t do that. In that case you can put it on any magnetic surface in the proximity of the dishwasher: toaster, stand mixer, knife block brand plate, cooking utensils holder. I put it on the forks holder (read about my silverware organization here).
To use your “C” button, make sure it is in the normal position when you start the dishwasher. Turn the “C” upside down right after the dishwasher is unloaded.
Our kids are really good about taking care of their dishes, as well as unloading the dishwasher. I like to help them make their job easier and eliminate any confusion. Who wants to be that “It’s clean!!” yelling mom? Not this mother!
Do you have simple solutions to annoying problems? I’d love to borrow them!
More posts on kitchen organization:
Simple organization: basic principles
Sharing at The 36th Avenue, Live, Laugh, Rowe
A Life From Scratch says
February 11, 2015 at 1:03 pmhaha! I cracked up at the ‘end of tutorial’ line. Too easy – even I couldn’t mess this one up.
milabassett says
February 11, 2015 at 3:48 pmSometimes the simplest things are the best, right?
Morgan says
February 15, 2015 at 1:35 amPerfect simple solution – the best kind! We have a reversible sign on our fridge that my son made for this very reason.
milabassett says
February 15, 2015 at 8:27 amHe is a resourceful boy (wonder where he gets it from? 🙂
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom says
February 16, 2015 at 7:32 amDon’t you love when you can find a solution to an annoying problem like this? Somehow it just makes life a little easier.
I also struggled for a long time to figure out a way to the dishwasher dilemma. My solution is to simply add the detergent tab and shut the lid on the spot in the dishwasher where it goes as soon as I’m done unloading the clean dishes. So if the detergent tab is in place and the spot where you put the tab in the dishwasher is shut, then the dishes are dirty. If there is no detergent and the lid is open (you know, how it automatically is after you wash the dishes), then the dishes are clean.
I realize that dishwashers might be different and maybe not all of them are set up like ours. But this has been the easiest thing that I’ve figured out so far!
milabassett says
February 16, 2015 at 9:56 amThat’s so simple and effective! Thanks for sharing your tip, Lydia. I am sure someone else will find it helpful as well.