Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: getting people to wash dishes and do post-meals clean up

[Kathy Tymoczko (kathy.tymoczko]

At the beginning of each meal, we used to ask for 2 volunteers to clean
up.  It was awkward and painful, and as the number of attendees at meals
grew from 12-15 average to 20-30 average, it was taking 30-45 minutes for
clean up.  So now, the practice is that everybody (even kids) helps.  It
now takes 15-20 minutes for cleanup, including washing and putting away all
dishes, flatware, pots and pans; labeling and putting away leftovers;
cleaning table tops and kitchen counters; sweeping the great room floor;
taking out garbage, recycling, and compost; putting dish towels, napkins,
etc. in the laundry.  And everyone is much happier.


-- 
Kathy Tymoczko
Daybreak Cohousing <http://www.daybreakcohousing.org>
Portland, Oregon
765-307-1083