Unless you opted for the high-end motorcoach with the dishwasher, you are probably going to wash at least a few dishes by hand when you go camping. Paper plates and plastic cups are convenient, but you will still have pots to wash. If you are trying to go green and make environmentally friendly choices, then you don’t want to continue using paper plates. Washing dishes by hand in the camper can be challenging, and you need to make sure they are clean to avoid food contamination and poisoning.
Invest in the Right Equipment
Pick up a few items before you head out on the next trip. One of the top items on your list should be a highly absorbent dish drying mat. You will need regular kitchen sponges or a natural loofah, dish detergent, and a few dish towels for hand drying. Finally, pick up a small wire shelf that will allow you to stack the drying dishes in a smaller space. With the drying mat placed in an open spot near the sink and the shelf on the mat, you should have space to keep your dishes washed and dried.
Keep the Food out of the Holding Tank
Those chunks of food you wash down the drain at home will cause serious problems in your holding tank when they clog the lines. Scrape food into the trash can to keep it out of your holding tank. Before you start washing dishes dropped in the sink by the kids, check them for food that has to be scraped into the trash.
Soap, Soak and Rinse
Stack the dirty dishes on the other side of your sink from the drying rack. With a little soap on the loofah or sponge, soap the items and leave them in the sink to soak. When you have a few items scrubbed and covered in soap, rinse them with fresh water and put them on the drying rack to dry.
Completely Dry to Avoid Mold
A few drops of water trapped in a cup when you put it away can become a moldy, disgusting mess in a few days. Make sure dishes are stacked to allow for airflow. Cups should be put on the wire shelf to dry because the air can circulate through them. When putting them away, use the dish towels to make sure they are completely dry.
Washing dishes may seem elementary, but it is challenging when you are in a small camper kitchen with a tiny sink and limited counter space. You don’t have to waste money on paper plates when you know how to safely clean your dishes on the road.
Leave a Reply