How to Make Doing the Dishes More Fun with 5 Kitchen Swaps

I made 5 simple kitchen swaps to make doing the dishes easier and more fun (I'm serious).

So, my dishwasher has been broken for years. As you can imagine, I've wondered how to make doing the dishes more fun a time or two (since it's the next best thing to figuring out how to eliminate the task entirely).

Doing the dishes is literally my least favorite chore.

I prefer cleaning toilets to doing the dishes.

Although, pro tip: I've realized it helps me a lot if I view it as time to listen to a podcast or watch part of a show.

I've also made several other changes to my dishwashing routine that have added up to make a big difference in how I perceive this task.

Keep reading for how to make doing the dishes more fun with 5 simple kitchen swaps.

1. I Put the Dish Soap in a Soap Dispenser

This seems too simple to make a difference, but trust me – this is the easiest way to instantly elevate your kitchen (and make doing the dishes easier while you're at it).

I found my green glass soap dispenser at the dollar store on a whim, and quickly discovered it looked perfect next to the sink. This soap dispenser from Amazon is similar.

I filled it with dish soap and put the unsightly dish soap bottle away. I was amazed at how much better the sink looked simply by removing this!

The best part, though? Easily squeezing the soap onto the sponge without having to go to the trouble of picking up and tipping over a dish soap bottle removes layers of mental resistance to doing the dishes that I didn't even realize were there.

2. I Switched All the Old Brushes Cluttering Up the Sink with the Cutest Brush Holder Ever

As soon as I found out this cactus brush holder existed, I had to get it. I love how it's both cute and functional.

Having the brushes gathered in one spot is the best part – but the fact that they even made it cute? A win-win.

3. I Traded the Microfiber Dish Drying Mat That I Had to Constantly Wash With a More Sanitary Stone Drying Mat

Microfiber drying mats can accumulate mold if not cleaned often enough and I've noticed they tend to pill pretty quickly. So, I had to add the additional task of cleaning the drying mat to my routine.

Then, I discovered stone drying mats. These are a lot more sanitary and they soak up the water super quickly.

Not to mention, I think they just look like a much higher-end product overall.

I was worried my clumsy self would easily break dishes on the stone, but so far so good! The stone is softer than I thought it would be.

I kept my dish drying rack as well. Both of these together typically create adequate space to dry everything.

4. I Got a Roll-Out Dish Mat for the Times When There are Extra Dishes

On rare days, my dish drying rack and stone mat combined don't cut it. When this happens, it's no problem. I just pull out my roll-out dish mat.

This is a great space-saving hack especially if you have small kitchen. Roll-out dish mats can be stored in a small space under the sink and add extra drying space whenever needed!

This means the sink area stays clean and clear when it's not in use.

5. I Finally Tried the Scrub Mommy

I kept wondering why on earth it seemed like everyone had a smiley face sponge. I mean, it's a sponge! How great could it be?

I finally broke down and researched what makes this particular sponge so great.

Then... I caved and bought one.

It actually made me look forward to doing the dishes. I don't know exactly what it is about it, but it's way more fun to use. Maybe it's the fact that it's just smiling at you the whole time you're doing dishes. Or that it's colorful.

Or the features. It has a sponge side (perfectly spongy) and a scratchy side (perfectly scratchy). It feels more solid.

It doesn't get gross nearly as quickly as run-of-the-mill sponges (and I've heard you can just wash it in the dishwasher, but I wouldn't know). The round shape and eyes make it so much easier to reach down into glasses and mugs, too.

Now You Know How to Make Doing the Dishes More Fun

When it comes to dreaded tasks, peeling back one layer of dread at a time is the best way to deal in my experience. Finding easy shortcuts and swaps may seem too simple at first glance, but can make a big difference in the long run.

Which Swap Do You Want to Make First?

If I've convinced you to head on over to Amazon to snag any of my dishwashing favorites, what are you grabbing first?

Disclaimer: As part of the Amazon Influencer program, I make a commission off of any products purchased with these links.