After washing every fork, plate and glass by hand for years, I am finally the proud owner (okay, renter) of an apartment with a dishwasher. And, trust me, it has been a complete game-changer. Instead of hunching over my sink for what felt like an eternity, I can use all my newfound free time in more productive ways. (Cooking more! Watching television! Even cleaning!)

My only gripe about my beloved dishwasher is that I can’t wash everything in it — and, no, I’m not talking about dainty glasses or cast-iron cookware. Whether it’s tiny food storage lids or small parts to a food processor, there are inevitably some pieces that are so small, they won't stay on the rack. To prevent a piece from slipping through the cracks, wedging between a spray arm or stealthily damaging my dishwasher, I’ve resorted to washing every tiny (and somewhat tedious) piece by hand — that is, until now.

On a whim, I started to search for something to solve this problem and end tedious hand-washing for good. I eventually found Green Sprout’s dishwasher bags — and they have quickly become an integral part of my chores. These bags are made from a mesh material, which lets water and detergent flow through. But, thanks to the small holes and zippered closure, the pieces inside won’t fall out mid-cycle.

Before starting my dishwasher, I place smaller items in the bag and either lay it on top of a rack or store it in the silverware basket. At the end of the cycle, I have clean, streak-free pieces — all without picking up a sponge. Not only does this save me even more time, but this mesh bag also helps me keep tabs of smaller pieces I would definitely lose at some point otherwise. Green Sprout’s dishwasher bags have become such an integral part of keeping my kitchen clean, I’m shocked I didn’t look for these sooner.

The only catch? Since these bags are technically made of fabric, they will come out of the dishwasher damp, so you'll need to lay them flat to dry before putting them away. But, as far as I’m concerned, that’s one trade-off for a great investment.

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