When faced with a big job like holiday dish cleanup, applying a strategy and breaking it down into distinct tasks will make it less overwhelming.

12 Tips for Holiday Dish-Washing

In addition to the sheer volume of pots, pans, serving pieces, utensils, and glassware used to prepare and serve holiday meals, there are delicate and specialty pieces that require careful handling. And pans used to cook and reheat dishes often result in stubborn stuck-on messes. Ahead, you’ll find tips and tricks to help you master the art of holiday dish-washing. Regardless of the order in which you wash, it’s a good idea to wash like things together. Doing so allows you to dry and put similar items away, and completing smaller items first helps create space for washing larger, more awkward pieces, like roasting pans and greasy serving platters.