Some household chores divide households, while others meet with a near-universal consensus. Washing the dishes falls into this latter category—a rarity worth highlighting.
A 2019 IFOP study conducted for Consolab, surveying 5,026 European women (including 1,004 French women), provided an unflinching look at the division of household chores within couples. The overall picture is stark: washing floors, changing sheets, cleaning the bathroom, and sorting or ironing laundry remain tasks overwhelmingly avoided by men. Yet, amidst these rather bleak findings, a pocket of relative equality emerges: washing the dishes is one of the few tasks shared more equitably between the sexes, alongside cooking, grocery shopping, and taking out the trash. It is a piece of good news—albeit a minor detail in the study's broader context—that is nonetheless worth noting.
Why does dishwashing buck the general trend governing other household chores? Several explanations come to mind. First, there is the frequency: unlike ironing or mopping floors, washing dishes is a task that demands attention several times a day. This leaves little room for strategic avoidance, as individuals naturally find themselves at the sink whenever the need arises. Then there is its very concrete and immediate nature: a pile of dirty plates in the sink is visible, bothersome, and hard to ignore—unlike a floor that might seem "still acceptable" for several days. Dishwashing imposes its own sense of urgency, which may limit the usual tactics for sidestepping the chore.

What the task actually entails

Washing the dishes encompasses washing plates, cutlery, glasses, and kitchen utensils, as well as rinsing and either drying them or setting them out to drain. Allow about 15 minutes for a typical session—a figure that can obviously vary depending on the size of the household and the complexity of the meal prepared. It is a task that recurs frequently—seven times a week in this list—reflecting its essential, everyday nature.

Tips and tricks for efficient dishwashing

The order matters more than you might think: always start with glasses and cutlery—the least soiled items—before moving on to plates, and finally the dirtiest dishes, pots, and pans. This approach prevents clean water from getting dirty too quickly and keeps the soapy water effective for longer.
For pots or pans with stuck-on residue, rather than scrubbing vigorously right away, let them soak for a few minutes in hot, soapy water; soaking softens the residue and cuts the necessary scrubbing time by half or even two-thirds. Adding a little baking soda to the soaking water boosts this effect further—especially useful for burnt or very greasy dishes.
As for the sponge itself—often cited as one of the most contaminated items in the kitchen—a simple step can significantly limit bacterial growth: microwaving it for a minute while damp, or replacing it weekly, drastically reduces its microbial load.
Finally, one habit makes a world of difference in daily life: quickly rinsing utensils right after use—before residue dries and hardens—transforms what could be a lengthy chore into a quick, almost automatic task.

In the generally unequal landscape of household chores revealed by the IFOP-Consolab study, dishwashing stands out as an almost reassuring exception. Perhaps because it simply leaves you no choice: it is hard to indefinitely put off dealing with a stack of plates piling up right before your eyes—unlike a floor, which you might still deem "clean enough" for another day.