The Brilliant Cleaning Hack I Use Every Time I Have a Party
The time has come for me to enter my hosting era. I very recently finished Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, and was simply delighted by it. How could I not be inspired to host after reading about the many dinner parties she’s hosted, everywhere from D.C. to the Hamptons? The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the holiday season is right around the corner!
I have dreams of friends oohing and aahing over a beautiful tablescape and a delicious meal. But the one thing I also can’t help but think about — and especially dread — is the cleanup afterward. Not to be a downer, but these less-than-glamorous tasks are also part of throwing together a dinner party, and I want to be as prepared as possible.
Recently, I stumbled upon this Apartment Therapy article and discovered a very simple cleanup hack that I knew I had to try. It involves a small bin of soapy water placed in your kitchen for guests to put their used silverware in. The idea is this bin keeps the sink clear for other important jobs and makes cleaning up a breeze once the party’s over. Utensils can soak while you chitchat and enjoy your company. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any stuck-on foods.
The party that I read about in the article was for 18 people, and since I’m a dinner party newbie, I started much smaller by hosting just four guests. I can see how this hack would be especially helpful for larger parties, but it works great even for just four people. My container of choice was an aluminum foil baking dish with a small dollop of Dawn dish soap.
Once my guests and I finished eating and tossed our utensils in the container, I didn’t worry too much about needing to clean as the evening progressed. (Who wants to do chores in the middle of their party?) Instead, I got to focus on enjoying the rest of the festivities and having actual conversations with my friends, which is exactly the point of this cleaning tip: It gives you time back to experience your own party.
While I know there are lots of people who aren’t able to fully relax until everything is cleaned up, I’m happy to use a hack like this to get a head start on soaking dishes so there’s no trouble finishing the job once everyone is out the door. When it was time to clean up, dishes were rinsed and placed in the dishwasher, along with the presoaked utensils — easy breezy.
I will absolutely use this hack the next time I have people over, especially as my guest list continues to grow. If there’s a simple and helpful way to delay dinner party cleanup, I’m all for it! A trick like this also boosts my confidence as a hosting newbie. Inviting family and friends over should be fun and easy-going, not stressful.
Particularly during the holiday season, I want to spend as much time with my loved ones as I can. The dishes can wait.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
