Living with inflammatory arthritis has changed the way that I need to do a lot of things….actually most things.

I basically live in two life cycles..not flared or flared.

As a Mom of 5 kids I have not been able to let it stop me from my normal tasks. Ever since my condition started to effect my upper body…specifically my hands I have had to find new ways to do things.

Over the last year I have tried out different products to see what makes my life and daily tasks more manageable.


Quick note… this is based on my own experience. This is also not sponsored by any company. The brands chosen just happen to be brands I like and buy on a regular basis. While being sponsored would be cool and all…. I believe you get a much honest picture of things when posts are not sponsored.

Doing the dishes… much like laundry… is an unavoidable task.

Unlike laundry there are some things you can do before you even get to the task to make it easier.

Obviously if you have a dishwasher that will help greatly with plates, utensils , cups… anything that’s dishwasher safe.

My dishwasher does not work well at the moment. Might be time to replace…

As someone who’s degree is in environmental studies this next suggestion makes me cringe a little but use paper plates and have disposable utensils on hand. I currently do this. There are going to be times when you hurt enough that you want to minimize how much you need to wash. I don’t love this but right now it’s necessary when I’m really hurting. Yes I know you can ask other people in the house for help… but this advice is for when you’re the one who needs to do this task.

Now there are “better” versions of paper plates and utensils. I never buy the Styrofoam plates. There are also companies who make ones that are supposed to be more easily broken down and even ones that claim you can compost. They are a little more pricey but if you have the wiggle room in your budget not a bad thing to consider.

However… depending on how large your family is and how much you eat at home… getting a dishwasher in the not so long long term can actually be more cost efficient…just FYI. We are currently looking into a new one.

For the dishes you do have to wash by hand… here is what I have found.

I tried regular dish detergent in standard bottles. I tried the new bottles that have the EZ Squeeze . I also tried both the spray wash and the foam wash.

I used Dawn for this. I like Dawn. Gain is also a brand I like however I could not find all the options and I wanted to use the same brand for this. I have tried almost every detergent. Dawn works. Also my hands are used to it so I don’t get dry skin when I use…should I use gloves… probably…do i… no.

Standard bottle – Buy this

Overall I would say this is a buy this. In some of my worst flares I’ve been able to use this. Now if the bottle is full and you are really flared it is a bit harder. I actually am going to start keeping a half full bottle around because of all the options I do believe this is the most cost effective… unless I’m using the other kids wrong…which I might be .

The bottle isn’t too hard to grip ( unless full and weight is the issue) and I love Dawn because it works well reducing how much I have to scrub which is important for saving my hands.

EX Squeeze Bottle- Not That

This is a no if you’re in a flare.

I actually really really like this bottle when I am not flared. I have accidentally squeezed my standard bottle and lost rhe cap in the process making a mess. While I feel like one of the people over exaggerating problems in an infomercial I have also gone to pour my soap with slippery hands and dropped it.

This bottle is great.

If you are in a flare… depending on how bad you may not even be able to get the soap of out it.

In a mild flare I can use this. When I’m in a more severe flare I cannot at all.

My suggestion is if you’re flare just put this to the side or out of sight and use a more arthritis friendly version until you’re feeling better.

Flares are hard enough… no need to have something like not being able to use a bottle of dish soap to set you over the edge.

Spray bottle – Buy this with caution

This is a buy this with a word of caution.

The trigger is not difficult for me… unless the flare symptoms are severe. I can still use it but with some added discomfort.

The spray works well, smells good, and makes washing the dishes more fun… at least it does for me. I am still a child at heart.

I am pretty sure it’s more expensive. I may be using too much…just ask my husband I tend to unapologetically use too much soap… dirty dishes gross me out so I like lots of suds.

However it is easier than the standard bottle. One thing I have learned is flares not only cost you physically and emotionally… they also cost you financially. That being said it’s cheaper to upgrade your Dish detergent than it is to hire someone so there’s that.

Foam bottle – Buy this

This option is by far my favorite when I’m hurting.

When I am in a flare and my hands are impacted I have significantly less strength, it hurts to open my hands…and sometimes how much I can open my hands is effected.

This bottle comes in like a knight in shinning armor.

You can simply push down the top…with minimal effort…and out comes a nice rich foamy soap that works really well. It is the platinum dawn and I think that works better anyway. Not sure if this comes in the regular formula. I’ll need to look next time I’m at the store.

When my symptoms are at their worst this has helped me want to cry less…so it’s my winner in buy this not that.

Summary:

Dishwashers are the winners for Dishwasher safe items if you have one. If you don’t paper plates can be your friend and spring for the foam detergent.

Money saving tip:

This may seem excessive but if you’ve been living this way for any left of time you understand..have all the options and use when appropriate.

Unless your budget allows for you to use whatever kind you want… when you are not in a flare go for one of the more economical options. Keep the foam or spray under your sink and pull it out when symptoms are present. Save money when you can and save yourself when needed.

Bonus tips:

Try to get your kids involved where you can. Depending on their ages teach them what you can based on what they can safely handle. Even young kids can scrape off their plate so you aren’t scrubbing off dried up ketchup piles.

If you don’t have time to wash something right away that will become a dried on mess rinse it clean before placing in the sink.

If you have time wash everything as you use vs putting it in the sink to begin with. Stuff in the sink not only gets 10x grosser but somehow it multiples and turns into even more dirty dishes at a faster rate than if the sink were empty.

Hope this helps. If you know of any products that help please let me know!