Efficient Tool Cleanup Tips for Newbies | Say Goodbye to Messy Tools!

[pampered1224]

I wish I could do that Becky. I always get so interrupted and such that it just does not work for me. And yes, I understand the insurance thing, I just could not live with myself if someone really got hurt again. So...

 

[Kelly8]

I do mine at home. I used to get help but after a guest almost removed a finger on a knife and had to have stitches, no way! I can just imagine what PC would do if confronted with a medical bill for 7 stitches! NO WAY! I take them home. Not to mention, I really, really, really sometimes need to get the heck out of there as soon as possible. SO I use a reusable, washable bag that reads Pampered Chef on it to my dirty dishes home. Plus part of what I say to get people to book is that I will be in and out quickly! I certainly do not want a host sitting until 11 at night while I do MY dishes! That to me is just plain rude to my hosts.

I totally agree with you John! I would never ask my host to wash my dishes. Plus, whether it takes longer or not, guests are going to be seeing you hang out longer at the house just to wash dishes. During the demo, I have the old red crate by my demo table (lined with a garbage bag) and I just throw my dirties in there. I use that as a booking tool and say something like, "See! I even do my dishes at home so I'm in and out very quickly!" I have had shows where the host said her last consulant washed the dishes at her house and the consultant was there quite late and frankly overstayed her welcome. When I do new consultant training, I tell them NEVER do your dishes at the host's house. And if you do your dishes at the host's house, are you using their soap and towels?

 

[chefjeanine]

I take them home in a tub that I bring just for that purpose (it's also one of the things I use to transport stuff into the party).

I'm a little OCD about my stuff and how it gets cleaned so I don't like it when someone else washes my tools . Plus, I'm slow, slow, slow. By the time I get done with everyone's orders, I just want to head home.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I totally agree with you John! I would never ask my host to wash my dishes. Plus, whether it takes longer or not, guests are going to be seeing you hang out longer at the house just to wash dishes. During the demo, I have the old red crate by my demo table (lined with a garbage bag) and I just throw my dirties in there. I use that as a booking tool and say something like, "See! I even do my dishes at home so I'm in and out very quickly!" I have had shows where the host said her last consulant washed the dishes at her house and the consultant was there quite late and frankly overstayed her welcome. When I do new consultant training, I tell them NEVER do your dishes at the host's house. And if you do your dishes at the host's house, are you using their soap and towels?

I bring my own. I bring a stash of Microfiber towels, and a microfiber dishcloth, and a little sample bottle of soap...I've even sold towels as add-on's to people orders when they see how well they dry the dishes!

Maybe if you've developed a relationship with the host, and she sees you as a friend, and not just the consultant, there isn't the same feeling about overstaying your welcome while washing the dishes? The time washing dishes is a FUN time at the close of my shows!
I tell my new consultants it's up to them how they do it. Some do and some don't. It's their business...I let them handle it the way that works best for them.

Again, I took my dishes home for several years, and have had nothing but a positive experience since switching to doing my dishes at the host's home. I think it just all depends on how you approach it, and probably has a lot to do with individual personalities. We're all different, and just like most everything else in this business, there's more than one way to do it!

 

[Dotty]

Wow, what a great thread! Thanks for all your comments. I'm going to bring a rubbermaid tub with me but I'll play it by ear. I like the idea of keeping my kit ready to go as soon as the party is over. Less work later..

My director also mentioned that she puts her dirty stuff right into her can as she works and she's never lost anything that way.

 

[doughmama]

yes, I use the p chef reusable tote lined with a paper bag in a plastic bag. as I use each product, I put it in the bag. At the host's house, I rinse my large bar pan and deep covered baker and cutting board. but the rest I wash at home.I actually had a host call me the other day to ask where I wash my dishes. she said that a friend of hers said that when she hosted, the consultant was there until all hours washing (?) so she wanted to make sure that I don't do this.

 

[babywings76]

I remember one time thinking that I'd bring a tub and just bring home my dishes. But when I was done with the recipe I felt so awkward not having something to do. I didn't want to put stuff away because people were still eating and browsing. If I was going to rinse stuff, I might as well just add some soap and get them washed real quick. I like having something to do, like washing dishes, which gives me an excuse to step slightly away from the area to look like I'm busy and not hovering over them. At least that's how I feel like I would be if I didn't do my dishes. I always bring a sponge, soap, and some towels. But there have been times I forgot, or the host offered hers. But now I'm going to really make a point to get mine out all the time so that they don't feel put upon.Reading through all these comments has made me a little self conscious though that maybe I should tweak my packing up skills. It does seem to take me a while to dry everything and then re-pack it all up. I do have great conversations with my hosts, though, during this time. Usually while I'm packing up, I'm talking to them on how great they did, how fun their friends were, reminding them about following up with people so we can close in the next 2 days, etc. Sometimes when they watch me pack up, they notice more items that they hadn't really gotten a chance to see during the party and they comment on them, ask me about more things, etc. I've had some hosts increase their host order due to that.So I see the benefit of continuing to do my dishes there, but maybe I should bring a tub just in case things are taking too long, or if the host's home doesn't seem set up for me to do them. Maybe just washing the big things would be enough to keep me busy for a while and then take all the smaller and dishwasher friendly items home in a little washable tub.Hmm, I'm going to be thinking about this some more. Thanks for starting the thread.

 

[frozenchef]

I usually rinse of stuff a little bit so my bag doesn't get too messy - but I still carry a trash bag just in case and throw everything in the dishwasher when I get home. Then the stoneware is usually the only thing I really have to clean.

 

[Kelly8]

I like having something to do, like washing dishes, which gives me an excuse to step slightly away from the area to look like I'm busy and not hovering over them. At least that's how I feel like I would be if I didn't do my dishes.

When you say you like having something to do, wouldn't you rather be mingling with the guests, or host coaching your new host? I never have time at the end of the show to even think about doing my dishes. Just curious.

 

[Dotty]

At last night's I did a sort of cleanup hybrid. I made sure the LBP and DCB were cleaned and didn't worry too much about the rest. The hostess did some of the dishes, but when I was packing up and she was still doing dishes, I told her not to worry about them and tossed them into the rubbermaid tub. At home I just put it all in the dishwasher. I ended up adding the stuff she cleaned to the dishwasher too, because I'm a little picky on how clean my stuff is. It is times like those that I REALLY appreciate the design of these tools. Dishwasher safe is a MUST in these times. Thank you PC!