13 Oct 22

The big washing up bowl debate

So. Last episode of the podcast, we explained that The Great Indoors Podcast Facebook Group was ON FIRE with passionate argument about the rights and wrongs of the humble washing up bowl. Is there any point to them? Are they a Design Crime? I’m TEAM WASHING UP BOWL, Kate is yet to be convinced, so the jury is out.

Clearly, mentioning it on the podcast show just fanned the flames, and the debate is raging on.

Listener Emily Coles, over on our Great indoors podcast facebook group, is upset not just about the bowl but about how it’s used:

“WASHING UP BOWLS! Oh my goodness! …I have only ever seen this done in the UK and as someone who grew up in different countries, it still really baffles me!.What I don’t understand is why would you wash your dirty plates in a bowl of water that gradually just gets dirtier and dirtier as you wash? By the time you get to the last pieces, you’re washing your plates in mirky, grey dirty water with bits of food floating around in it Instead of using a bowl, I lather up all my dirty items in the sink and then rinse them off under clean water.”

But Cathy Taylor says no – it’s all about washing up in the right ORDER.

“If anyone was taught home economics in school they will have been taught how to wash up in a bowl. Glasses first, then cutlery (rinsed under cold water first if particularly mucky), then the cleanest plates and bowls, working up to the dirtiest. Then use the water to rinse out dirty pans and refill to wash those. Rinse items under cold water if needed before leaving to air dry. Saves both gas – heating the hot water constantly – and water/washing up liquid. Something I think we all need at the moment!”

Listeners Jayne Flame Taylor and Rae Rae agree. And there’s a theory about where the washing up bowl love affair began, posted by Tina Swindells:

“I think it originated from when the sink was a dry sink with no taps or drain. Carry the bowl or buck in from outside, clean and then tip the dirty bowl back outside.”

Last episode Kate said her granny used the bowl to tip the washing up water on her roses, and lots of you feel the same – Sue Fox even points out that eco washing up liquid is good for controlling aphids! Christopher Barrett is cheering you on Sue! He says:

“Really encouraged to read so many people in replies who use grey water for their plants – absolute stars. My husband is from Singapore and doesn’t use the bowl – just runs SO MUCH water down the sink if he washes up. Re. the whole issue of the water being dirty… The same is true for having a bath: you’re putting your oily, sweaty, grimy body into a bath full of water. The clever science is that the soap/detergent used breaks down the grime and keeps most of it away from your “clean” body/crockery “

Fanny from Finland has another solution:

“In Finland most kitchens have two sinks next to each other, you have water and washing up liquid in one and wash dishes in that, then the other has clean water, and you put clean dishes in there to rinse before putting them in the drying cupboard   When I lived in Britain I found it uncomfortable that people didn’t rinse dishes, they just dried with soap suds on them “

And finally Wendy Shaw sees it as an opportunity for a bit of design joy. She says:

“I’ve got a bright yellow bowl in my Belfast sink ….looks cheery”

Well I’m on board Wendy and if you are up for some washing bowl joy, I’ve round up ten of the best to tempt you!

1. Collapsible Washing Up Bowl, £6, Dunelm | 2. Small Rectangular Washing Up Bowl, £1.69, The Range | 3. Washing up bowl & brush, £70, Normann Copenhagen | 4. Addis washing up bowl, £4.49, Austins | 5. Clever Portable Washing Up Bowl with Knife Drainer, £24.99, Lakeland.

6. Wash & Drain Washing-up Bowl, £35, Joseph Joseph | 7. Collapsible Foldable Dish Tub, £10.79, Amazon | 8. Mio wash tub, £46.50, OYOY Living9.  | 9. Nava Collapsible Round Washing up bowl, £21.99, Wayfair | 10. Stainless Steel Washing Up Bowl, £42.50, Elephant Box.

The colourful bowls at the top of the post are African recycled bowls, £9.95,Blackout.