It doesn’t take long for the kitchen to become a disaster area during a dinner party. Often, even before the meal is over, the sink gets filled up with dishes teetering in precarious stacks, waiting to crash. And somehow there’s always a rogue spoon that inevitably needs to be fished out of the garbage disposal.
What if one small hosting hack could save you serious cleanup time? Try this trick: Place a small bin of soapy water in your kitchen for guests to drop their used silverware into. It keeps the sink free of tangled forks and makes your postparty cleanup a little easier.
Why a Silverware Bin Works
Even if you have a dishwasher, the sink will inevitably attract dirty dishes. When it’s filled to the brim, it’s nearly impossible to begin attacking sticky cocktail glasses or soaking a saucepan. A simple bin of soapy water solves this: Guests can drop in their used silverware, keeping it out of the way and presoaked for later.
The visual cue helps too — seeing a few utensils already in the bin signals exactly what it’s for. By the time you’re ready to hand wash or load the dishwasher, the silverware will have already been soaking, so any stuck-on food slips right off. When the last guest leaves, just dump the water and transfer the utensils straight into the dishwasher or sink. No more scavenger hunts for missing knives buried under serving bowls
This system keeps your countertops clear and sink space open for more essential tasks, such as washing bigger pots and pans, all while giving you a head start on the final cleanup.
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How To Set Up a Silverware Bin
1. Choose a small but sturdy aluminum or plastic tub. It should be deep enough to hold many layers of utensils, yet shallow enough to easily move.
2. Fill it with warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap, then swirl the soapy water to create a light lather.
3. Place the bin on the counter near the sink, where guests will instinctively go to drop dirty dishes. Consider making a small sign that says, “Place used silverware here.”
4. Keep an eye on the bin throughout the party. If it gets too full, move some of the silverware to the dishwasher or hand-wash them early.
Before guests arrive, line your trash can with two bags instead of one. When the first fills up, pull it out as usual and — voilà — the next is already in place. This way, you don’t need to noisily shake out a backup mid-party.
