This post highlighting recipes with tricky cleanup has been compensated by Scotch-Brite. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.
I’m sure many of you out there have a list (or more accurately, a Pinterest board) overflowing with awesome recipe ideas that you just haven’t gotten around to trying yet. I know I certainly do.
In particular, I have quite a few recipes that I seem to be dragging my feet to try for one simple reason: I judge clean up for these dishes to be a nightmare. Any food that is served in a glass, that has marshmallows that have been heated, that has a flaky crust in a small container or that involves syrup in significant quantities keeps getting passed over by me because however good the recipe may be, I’ll be annoyed that I made it when it is time to scrub the dishes.
Follow Stuff Parents Need’s board #ScotchBrite Yummy Recipe Possibilities on Pinterest.
Scotch-Brite recently challenged me to create a Pinterest board with exactly those types of dishes: the ones I’d really love to eat, and even ones I’m willing to make, as long as I don’t have to do dishes afterwards. I was also challenged to actually make one of those recipes, and then face the dreaded dish pile afterwards with the Scotch-Brite Stay Clean Dishwand in hand. The folks at Scotch-Brite were confident that with the right tools, washing those dishes would be a breeze.
Y’all, I’ve cleaned a lot of plates (in Memphis! Like Tina!) so I was not as confident. But I’m always up for a challenge, especially if it means that I get to eat something super yummy.
Miniature Pecan Pies
I reviewed my options, and at the end of the day, just couldn’t stop thinking about those adorable rustic ramekin pecan pies. Head over to Bev’s site to get the recipe (it’s a good one!) if you’d like to give it a try. I’ll show you the process I went through to make the pies, and I think in so doing, you’ll see the increasing level of “Ugh!” I was facing as clean up time neared.
First I cut out the dough to fit the inside of the ramekin (accomplished by using a bowl that was slightly larger than the ramekin). So the inside of my dish is covered in dough, which is flaky, crusty, delicious, and a bear to clean.
But, you know what? That’s not enough crust! Time to put some around the edges! I actually totally agree with Bev on this concept, and I loved the fact that the pie is supposed to look “rustic” so it is ok for the crust to not be nice and neat. But now I’ve got pie crust on the inside AND the outside of the dish.
Time to make the filling! Various yummy and sticky things go into a pecan pie filling, including eggs, sugar, lots of syrup, and to put a little pink in your cheeks, some bourbon (in my case, I used Chattanooga Whiskey…keepin’ it local!). My main concern with stuff like this is that it may come off the bowl, but then it will just be stuck to the sponge. Gross.
The finished product was totally cute and yes, absolutely delicious. My family enjoyed every single bite.
Cleaning up with Scotch-Brite Stay Clean Dishwand
I got my Scotch-Brite Stay Clean Dishwand all ready to go. It is especially designed to keep the food off the dishes AND off the sponge, which means that it can go the distance for you without having to be replaced quite so quickly. I had the perfect tool on hand for the job, so no need to dally, right?
The Part Where I Totally Embarrass Myself
Only I did dally. I dallied like it was going out of style. Honest truth time: I was nervous that the dishwand wouldn’t work as advertised, and that I’d ruin my new kitchen helper on its very first mission. Between the crust, the gooey filling, and the sticky leftovers in the prep bowl, what sponge wouldn’t have to sacrifice itself for that mess??? Also, I hate doing dishes, so that contributed to my procrastination, for sure.
Those dishes sat for 3 full days. And actually, they sat longer than that but I’m just too embarrassed to tell you how long. I avoided this chore like the plague, and in so doing, really just made my poor, cute little dishwand’s job infinitely harder.
And yet, she seemed undaunted (and perhaps even a little giddy) about her assignment (What? Dishwands totally show their emotions, you guys). I put her durable scrubbing surface to work, and what I thought was going to be a horrible chore seemed to be more like a fun game to this dishwand.
Even the crusty ramekins didn’t see to phase her, and bowl after bowl, the dishes were coming clean.
When it was all said and done, I realized that I put off a chore that wasn’t hard at all, thanks to having the right tool on hand. And was the dishwand scrubber ruined by all the sticky stuff it had to clean? On the contrary…it hardly looked used at all!
So now I’ve got a new best friend in the kitchen, and my hand washing dishes aren’t piling up for a week 3 days like they used to. The Scotch-Brite Stay Clean Dishwand is easy to use, actually works the way it claimed it would, and is priced nicely at just $2.99 for the dishwand and $4.49 for a 3 pack of refills (though it will take a while for the sponge to wear out!). The sponges are also designed to fit any Scotch-Brite wand, so if you purchase a different dishwand and want to try out these sponges, that’s no problem!
What awesome recipe are you going to try now that you know cleaning up will be easy???
Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the full suite of Scotch-Brite dishwands!
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my site.
Marcy Strahan says
Scrubbing & washing out the cat box is myleast favorite chore!
Vikki Billings says
My least favorite is cleaning the toilet.
Tonya Froemel says
I hate dishes the most, so does everyone else in my house so the dishwand would be awesome.
heather c says
Toilets. I just dislike greatly anything about toilets. Gross!
Bri S. says
Without question, my least favorite chore is washing dishes.
Buddy Garrett says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom.
Shelley says
I do not like dealing with paperwork of any kind!!
angie p says
I hate cleaning the bathroom
Betty C says
I hate cleaning the toilet.
Elizabeth Ray says
Cleaning walls. Can’t reach, don’t see well, and I always feel like I’m removing paint but leaving dirt. Sure wish I could find someoneone to clean my walls for me! (I’d pay them, but even basic rent-a-maid type services don’t do walls.)
laurie says
I hate washing dishes
Sharold Friedrich says
cleaning the bathroom
Lisa L says
I hate doing laundry, especially folding.
Kenya Johnson says
I hate folding and putting away the laundry
Cheryl Reinhardt says
I hate cleaning the bathrooms
Laurie Emerson says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom, especially the toilets.
amy deeter says
cleaning the bathroom
jamie says
vaccuming!
trixx says
I hate mopping the floors.
mary gardner says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom!
Lynde F. says
Cleaning the bathroom is a real chore.
Cassandra Davis says
Hands down, I dislike doing the dishes most.
Kayci Stanley says
I very much dislike cleaning the bathroom, especially the toilet.
Michelle Tucker says
Doing laundry is my least favorite chore. I really dislike the never ending piles.
Nicole Carter says
I hate to sweep and mop!
Shelton says
I do not understand why taking out the trash is so mentally , not physically hard to do.
Bonnie Caselman says
My least favorite chore is in the house is a toss up between dishes & the bathtub/shower.
john hutchens says
I hate cleaning the shower
Sky Sparkle says
For me it’s scrubbing the toilet.
Joyce Ackley says
I have been wanting to get a dish washing brush/wand, and the Scotch Brite looks like just what I need. I’m sure it would do the job.
Jennifer Reed says
My least favorite chore in the house is cleaning the showers.
Peggy Rydzewski says
Cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite.
dawn hecke says
My least favorite chore is the dishes.
C Butler says
i really don’t like anything about cleaning. but dusting is the worst
Terry Cross says
Dusting is my least favorite
Allison says
I really dislike cleaning up after other people in the house, especially dishes
Carla T says
If I never clean another bathroom floor it would suit me fine!
Rebecca Williams says
I hate washing dishes
amber johnson says
I don’t like to dust. make me sneeze a lot
Samantha Daleo says
Cleaning the tubs/showers! Ugg!
Hesper Fry says
My least favorite chore is doing dishes.
kristy thiel says
my least favorite chore is cleaning toilets!
Lynne T. says
My least favorite is vacuuming!
Karen Drake says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom.
Jacqueline W. says
My least favorite chore is to clean the bathroom and to unload the dishwasher.
Kevin says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the house: scrubbing, etc.
Paula Willbanks says
Cleaning the tub is the worst!
Stephanie Gossett says
Cleaning out my bird cages 🙁
Breanne says
I hate dishes
Allison Downes says
I hate cleaning the bathroom. Thank you for the chance to win this!
Miz Vickik says
I hate to vacuum!
Wendy R. says
I hate them all!! Cleaning the bathroom is the worst.
John Kirkpatrick says
Laundry
Les Johnson says
My least favorite chore is scrubbing the floors. UGH!!
tina reynolds says
I hate washing dishes
Melissa says
With 6 in my house I need all the help cleaning I can get!!!!!
Heather Swarthout says
Cleaning the dishes!!
Gina H. says
Cleaning the toilet.
Gina H. says
Correction: this entry has my correct email. Thank you.
Michelle says
Cleaning the bathroom
Racheal says
I have always hated ironing!
Becky VanGinkel says
I have two household chores that I can’t stand.. dishes and scrubbing toilets. UGH… and as the mom of 3 messy kids, i need to do a lot of both! lol
babydjs_mom@yahoo.com
Tammy Woodall says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the shower in the bathroom.
kelly mcgrew says
my least favorite chore is putting the clothes away after washing!
Denise Davis says
I hate cleaning the dishes but its a necessary evil.
kristi h says
My least favorite chore is matching socks.
Sharon says
cleaning kitchen and bathroom. ick
lissa crane says
My least favorite chore has to be doing the laundry! Of course I have to do that every day for our family of 6, maybe that’s why I dislike it so much! I’m sure I will miss it when my kids grow up!
christina barnes says
Touching food from old dishes and taking out garbage
Rachel G says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom.
Jenny says
My least favorite chore would be cleaning the bathroom…..and doing laundry comes in as a close second.
Audra O'Hara says
My least favorite chore is moping the kitchen floor; maybe because it gets dirty again so quickly!
Pauline Milner says
Thank goodness I have a housekeeper because I detest vacuuming and ironing. Thank you for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
Jackie says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathroom.
Thank you!
Mirm says
oh – I don’t enjoy folding socks!
Renee C says
I hate scrubbing the tub!
renee campbell says
Cleaning my shower and ironing get put off for looong periods of time at my house.
Kathleen Richardson says
I do not like cleaning the bathroom. It just grosses me out plain and simple.
Michele P says
I hate cleaning the toilet/tub and dusting!
Susan Smith says
I don’t like cleaning the bathroom
Birdie Skolfield says
I hate dusting the most aaaahhhhchooooo!
Madeline says
My least favorite chore is dusting, especially my daughter’s room. There are too many things to move around!
Danalee Davis says
I hate putting laundry away.
Lorena Keech says
I don’t mind doing laundry but I HATE putting it away.
Diane Cooper says
My absolute least favorite chore is dusting. I simply detest dusting!
Cori Westphal says
I hate when the grout in my tile gets grungy. It’s the worst to clean!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Tanya White says
I like cleaning my room its super easy.
Sunnie says
Id say cleaning the bathrooms, or putting away the laundry.
Jennifer says
I hate cleaning the shower more than anything else.
Adrienne says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathrooms.
latanya says
washing dishes
Vera S says
My least favorite chore is scrubbing pots and pans. Yuck!
Monica Kirkham says
My least favorite chore is the dishes. I somehow am able to often convince my son to do them, though dishes are his least favorite chore as well! 😉
Patti Hess says
My Least favorite chore is dishes ! Even with a dishwasher it’s dishes
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you
Jessica H. says
My favorite chore is dishes. I love to watch the neighborhood out my window while I work. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
Jessica H. says
lol oops, I obviously need to look at my reading skills better. My LEAST favorite chore is the bathroom, anything and everything in the bathroom. Thank you!
Renee Concolino says
cleaning the tub
beth shepherd says
Cleaning the bathrooms is my least favorite..so no fun
Jennifer F says
The bathroom-
Nancy T. says
I hate doing the laundry, it seems like it is never ending!!
Lady J says
I hate dusting. Never gets done at my house.
Blessie Nelson says
I don’t like cleaning the bathroom. I am glad my significant other is willing to help!
brandy g. says
I don’t like cleaning the bathroom. Scrubbing the toilets and cleaning the shower is my least favorite chore.
Carly says
Putting away clean clothes is the WORST. I will wash, fold, and hang them… but I want someone else to put them in the closet/drawers
Sindy Murray says
I don’t like doing laundry and dishes!
Cheryl F. says
My least favorite chore is cleaning toilets.
Casey Everidge says
i HATE dishes! i will try everything to get out of doing them!
Jared Roberts says
I hate cleaning the toilets!
Colleen Maurina says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the showers – ugh!
Christine says
hate cleaning the bathrooms
Linda Lansford says
least favorite chore is in the house is the toilet
Kristie says
I don’t like dusting.
Vicki Wurgler says
I hate to dust and the kitchen
Tari Lawson says
I hate cleaning the bathrooms.
e michelle says
i hate all the chores! but i hate doing laundry! wash then dry then fold…ugh
CJ Godfrey says
My least favorite household chore is dusting!
Debbystef says
The dish wand looks amazing.
Caroline B says
I hate folding clothes!
Amanda S. says
Probably doing the dishes is my least favorite.. followed by washing the floors. BUT realistically I hate all of my chores and would enjoy having a maid service 🙂
Carol says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the refrigerator.
Lauren-Olivia Wood says
I detest handwashing large pots and pans that do not fit into the dishwasher!
Emillie says
Least favorite chore is dishes. I love too cook and bake but do not enjoy dishes!
Kathy Luman says
I dread putting away clothes. I don’t mind washing and folding them, I just don’t like putting them away.
Ann Fantom says
Cleaning toilets is the worst chore ever!
Jaque R says
My least favorite chore is cleaning the refrigerator. 🙂 Thank you.
Mary Beth Elderton says
I hate doing the bathrooms…any part of them. Ugh!
McKim says
I don’t like scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom floors.
Laura says
I hate doing the dishes! Kyle hates doing laundry, which happens to be my favorite. He makes sure the dishes are done, and I make sure we have clean clothes. Perfect trade off in my book!
Viv says
I hate cleaning up. The house we are now renting FINALLY has a dishwasher. It sucks and I love it!!!! But honestly I don’t know that floors or laundry aren’t worst to work on 🙂 Esp with a toddler who throws everything you just picked up back where “it goes”.