University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County
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Helping you prepare healthy foods in a hurry

Alice Henneman, MS, Registered Dietitian and Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Dishwasher Watchdog:
Are the Dishes Clean or Dirty?
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Have you ever rewashed a clean load of dishes because you just weren't sure if they were clean or dirty? Or, perhaps, used an unwashed dish? And then worried about food safety when you discovered what you'd done?

The author's "watch-turtle" standing guard over the dishwasher

You may have tried those disks attached to a suction cup or magnets that can be turned to indicate whether a load of dishes is "clean" or "dirty." If you found yourself forgetting to use them or to change them back, consider trying a "dishwasher watchdog" or cat, or turtle … or whatever sparks your imagination … and memory!

Here's how it works. Keep some small object, such as a tiny figure of a dog or some other favorite thing on your kitchen counter. When you start the dishwasher, move the object to the edge of the counter next to the front of the dishwasher. When the clean dishes are returned to their storage areas, move the item back to its original location.

It's easy to tell at a glance the status of your dishes. And using a dishwasher watchdog is just whimsical enough that it may be easy to remember!

 

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Developed By:

Alice C. Henneman, MS, RD
Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Fax: (402) 441-7148
Phone: (402) 441-7180
E-Mail: ahenneman1@unl.edu
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu/food

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You may reproduce these materials for educational purposes but not for sales purposes. You're also welcome to link to "Cook It Quick" from your website. Please credit: COOK IT QUICK!, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension (lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq.htm)

Use of commercial and trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsement by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

For more information about preparing healthy meals, contact your local University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office; for the location of the office nearest you, click here. For a listing of Cooperative Extension Offices throughout the United States, click here.

Address: 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE 68528-1507, Phone: 402-441-7180

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