To rinse or not to rinse? British dishwashing habit leaves Americans confused — and a bit grossed out

Maintaining basic hygiene and sanitary measures at home is extremely crucial for an individual, especially while cooking and cleaning. The lack of cleanliness can be an open invitation to germs and diseases. As it is vital to wash vegetables and cook them using clean water, it is equally important to wash the dishes properly to avoid contamination and germs. However, this British way of washing dishes is breaking the internet and blowing the minds of Americans in the process, as reported by The Takeout.

While many people in the world either use a dishwasher or scrub their dirty dishes using a soapy sponge or brush and rinse them with clean running water, the British have their own way of doing it. First, they fill their sink with water and then add soap. Then, they take the dirty dishes and dip them in the sink full of soapy water, rinse them, and put them aside to dry on the rack. The dishes are not further rinsed with clean water, and the soapy suds questionably stick to the surface. The people wash their dishes using this method to convey that it is not a lazy or mindless process, but a different approach.

This British way of doing the dishes started in the olden days when there was no supply of hot water through the faucets in the kitchens. One had to heat water manually to do so. Therefore, filling the sink with water and soap and rinsing the dishes felt more convenient, as it helped save water. It started as a solution to a major problem and stuck with the people as a habit even today. However, many still wonder whether it is a sanitary practice. Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, a medical toxicologist at the National Capital Poison Center, stated, “It probably is safe, given that this practice is not new and has not been linked to adverse outcomes. Dish soaps are relatively non-toxic and the amount an individual is exposed to would be small,” per the New York Times Wirecutter.

Moreover, high amounts of soap residue can cause gastrointestinal problems and irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, per Puracy. It can result in symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It can also cause skin and eye irritation, endocrine disruption and gut barrier dysfunction. Dr. Vanessa Coffman, Alliance Director at Stop Foodborne Illness, said, “Soap residues, along with organic matter, can provide a moist environment that supports microbial growth. If you skip the rinsing step, not only are you not removing bacteria, but you’re creating a place where they may start multiplying, which can lead to illness,” per Delish.

Moreover, it has become a trend on social media, where people are showing how the British wash their dishes. Among them, Arieff Yong–who goes by @arieffyong on TikTok–went viral on the platform with over 610k views. The video featured a British man washing dishes using the same process, and Yong's reaction to it. He questioned the English guy about what he was doing and why, and got grossed out when he said, “That is how we do it here in the UK.” The video then focused on the dirty tub of soapy water with dirt and grime floating within. 

Many people expressed their opinion on the same. @ahfj1547 commented, “They don't rinse the soap? And these people judge Americans!” @dmontoya4 wrote, “That's why a glass of water tastes like pineapple and onion.” @nairydelosangeles chimed in, “My Latina mom would die right there.” @lavieenyo expressed, “When I lived in the UK, I met a girl from Spain, who told me, 'Never eat in a British person's house,' and explained this to me and I could hardly believe it, now I see she wasn't lying."

You can follow Arieff Yong (@arieffyong) on TikTok for more funny content.