I Hate Doing the Dishes, but Amazon Shoppers Swear These 7 Tools Make It Much More Enjoyable

There isn’t a day that goes by that “wash the dishes” isn’t on my to-do list — in fact, it’s usually on there more than once. Like some kind of dark magic, a stray cup or plate always seems to materialize in the sink. And while I personally find some types of housecleaning (like vacuuming) soothing, washing the dishes is not one of them — it’s one of the most tedious and messy kitchen cleaning jobs. If you don’t have a dishwasher, you know exactly what I mean. 

I have some good news and some bad news for you: You might not be able to quit washing dishes altogether,  but there are some handy gadgets at Amazon that make the process stress-free. Whether you need a scrubbing brush that can tackle heavy duty messes or a space-saving dish rack, here are seven tools that will make washing the dishes easier and faster — with prices starting at just $6.

Top-Rated Dishwashing Tools at Amazon

• OXO Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser, $23 
• Joseph Joseph Sponge Organizer, $15 (originally $20)
• Scotch-Brite Soap Dispensing Dishwand, $6
• Scrub Mommy Sponges, $13 
• KitchenClouds Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mat, $18 with coupon (originally $33)
• Surpahs Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack, $25 (originally $36)
• Cornerjoy Silicone Sink Strainer, $10 (originally $13)

OXO Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser 

The first thing you need is a sleek soap dispenser to replace the bulky plastic of dishwashing soap currently balanced precariously at the edge of your sink, with all the sloppy drips of soap down the side. This OXO soap dispenser has a roomy 12-ounce capacity, and a sturdy stainless steel exterior with a finger-proof print coating to keep it looking shiny. The nonslip base prevents it from falling into the sink, and the cushioned button releases a mess-free steam of soap. 

It’s a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon with more than 10,000 five-star ratings.  One shopper loves it so much they wrote that “it works flawlessly, dispensing soap without any hiccups,” adding that “the durable build gives [them] confidence in its long-term performance.”

Joseph Joseph Sponge Organizer

A dirty sponge sitting at the bottom of your sink is a breeding ground for germs. A better way to store sponges that not only keeps your kitchen more sanitary, but also keeps fresh sponges within reach every time you wash the dishes is this sponge organizer. And it has more than 8,600 five-star ratings on Amazon thanks to the fact it immediately makes the kitchen look more organized. One shopper succinctly wrote that it's a “nice way to tidy up the kitchen sink area without taking up lots of space.”

This sponge caddy has two compartments for a bottle of a soap and sponge brush, plus a shelf in front for holding sponges. And the nifty sloped base allows any trapped water to drain away into the sink. 

Scotch-Brite Soap Dispensing Dishwand

One aspect of washing the dishes that always frustrates me is having to constantly pause to add more soap to my sponge. One clever way around this is grab a dishwand that dispenses soap as you go. This Scotch-Brite scrubber features tough bristles that make easy work of burnt-on food and grease on your cookware. At the same, a panel on the handle can be filled with soap, which is released with the press of a button. 

The Scotch-Brite dishwand has more than 13,700 perfect ratings on Amazon, with one shopper praising the fact that “it has a long handle that keeps your hands out of the mess, and the scrubbing head is tough enough to get even the toughest messes off.” They also added that thanks to the built-in soap dispenser, they waste less soap while washing dishes. 

Scrub Mommy Sponges 

Ineffective sponges make washing dishes take longer, and force you to strain as you try to scrub away tough stains. But that problem will become a thing of the past with the Scrub Mommy sponges. One of our editors, Kristin Montemarano, counts these sponges among her favorite kitchen tools. The Scrub Mommy has soft foam on one side, which she found “for more delicate cookware, serveware, and kitchenware.” Meanwhile, “the classic scrubby side for tougher jobs that need a bit more abrasion.” And unlike classic sponges which require elbow grease to get working, this one “foams up really well, and the big, thick surface on both sides removes debris off of everything in record speed.”

KitchenClouds Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mat

Facing down a big pile of dishes inevitably means that you’ll be standing at the sink for a while, which can be a strain on your feet, knees, and lower back. Make yourself more comfortable with this cushioned anti-fatigue mat. Comfortable PVC foam takes some of the strain off your sore extremities, and beveled edges reduce the chance that you’ll trip over it when you’re walking around the kitchen. Thanks to a waterproof coating it won’t get soaked by water than splashes out of the sink, and it wipes clean with a wet cloth — plus you can score it for just $18 right now.

Surpahs Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack

If you live in a small space, or just don’t have much extra room on your counters, a traditional dish drying rack only adds unnecessary clutter. A roll-up dish drying rack is an easy solution. It can be neatly stored in a drawer when it’s not in use, it rests right over your sink, which means it takes up no counter space at all. It measures 13.1 by 20.5 by 0.3-inches, so it can fit, just for starters, the pitcher of a blender or several bowls, at once. And it’s versatile: Since it's heat-resistant, it can be used as a trivet, or a place to dry vegetables after they’ve been washed. 

This dish drying rack has earned more than 16,000 five-star ratings on Amazon thanks to the fact that it saves so much. One shopper wrote that it's “the most basic yet outstanding solution to the standard bulky dish drying rack,” and also noted that it's “very easy to clean,” and doesn’t “collect mildew [or] water buildup.”

Cornerjoy Silicone Sink Strainer

It might be gross, but there’s no avoiding food scraps accumulating in your sink. These silicone sink strainers catch all the debris that rinses of your dishes while you're washing them, reducing the chance that old food clogs your sink. And since they’re made from flexible silicone all you have to do is flip it inside over the trash to empty it. 3,400 Amazon shoppers gave these sink strainers a five-star rating on Amazon. One shopper who hates cleaning out the sink wrote that they love these “because trying to get all the gunk out of those metal sink strainers is frustrating [but] with these, you just pull them inside-out, and it comes right off easily.”