This simple method significantly reduces water usage compared to washing dishes under a continuous running tap.

What You'll Need (Materials):

• Two Bowls or Your Sink (divided if possible): Large enough to comfortably hold your dishes.
• Dish Soap: Your usual washing-up liquid.
• Clean Water: Enough to fill one of the bowls for rinsing.
• Dishcloth or Sponge: For washing.
• Dish Scrubber (optional): For stubborn food.
• Drying Rack or Clean Tea Towel: For drying.
• How to Do It (Method - Easy Steps):

Step 1: Prepare Your Washing Station:

• Place one bowl in your sink (or use one side of a divided sink). Fill this bowl with hot water and a squirt of dish soap. This is your wash bowl. Place the second bowl in the sink (or the other side). Fill this bowl with clean, cool or lukewarm water. This is your rinse bowl.

Step 2: Scrape and Pre-Soak (If Necessary):

• Scrape any leftover food scraps from your dishes into the bin or compost.
  For heavily soiled items, consider a quick pre-soak in the soapy water before the main wash.

Step 3: Wash the Dishes:

• Submerge a dish in the soapy water.
• Use your dishcloth or sponge to thoroughly wash the dish, removing all food residue.
• Turn off the tap completely during the washing process. The water in the bowl is all you need.

Step 4: Rinse the Dishes:

• Once a dish is clean, transfer it to the rinse bowl filled with clean water.
  Briefly submerge and rinse the dish to remove the soap. You may need to change the rinse water if it becomes very soapy.

Step 5: Dry the Dishes:

• Place the rinsed dishes on a drying rack to air dry, or dry them immediately with a clean tea towel.

Tips for Maximum Water Savings:

Don't Run the Tap! The key to this method is to avoid using running water for washing or rinsing.
Change Water Efficiently: Only change the wash water when it becomes very greasy or dirty. Similarly, change the rinse water when it becomes too soapy.
Wash in Batches: Group similar items together (e.g., all the plates, then all the cutlery) to make the process more efficient.
Use the Right Amount of Soap: Too much soap will require more rinsing water.
Consider a Plug for a Single Sink: If you only have one sink, use the plug and follow the same principle: fill with soapy water to wash, drain, and then fill with clean water to rinse.

Why This Saves Water:

This method uses a controlled amount of water in the bowls, rather than a continuous flow from the tap, which can waste gallons of water in just a few minutes. By containing the water used for washing and rinsing, you use only what's necessary to get the job done effectively. By adopting this simple two-bowl method you can significantly reduce your water consumption in the kitchen, contributing to water conservation efforts and potentially lowering their water bills if they have a meter. It's a small change with a big impact!