Daily habits in different countries always attract our interest. We adopt some of them, while we look at others with astonishment. The way of washing dishes in Germany is one of these interesting details. Because Germans do not rinse their dishes after washing them. No, you didn't read it wrong. This habit is explained both with water conservation and a different understanding of cleanliness. So why is that?
This meticulousness reflects in every aspect of life, from house cleaning to street order. Even how much the trees in the neighbor's garden will be pruned is determined by laws. Issues such as parking incorrectly, playing loud music, or making noise are immediately reported to the police.
In such a rule-bound society, cleanliness is of course an important issue. Germans always keep their homes tidy and pay great attention to hygiene. However, when it comes to washing dishes, things can take a somewhat surprising turn. Because for them, cleanliness can sometimes be applied in the exact opposite way to what we know.
Most German kitchens have a double sink. One side of the sink is filled with soapy water, and all the dishes, glasses, forks, and knives are washed in that water.
But the surprising part starts after this. Because the dishes are not rinsed after the soapy water. Yes, they are directly removed and lined up on the edge of the counter. While some people dry them with a cloth, most leave the dishes to dry on their own. So, the small amount of detergent left on the surface is not a problem for Germans. According to them, that much soap won't poison anyone.
In Germany, low-quality, smelly detergents are almost non-existent. Therefore, dishes are not exposed to a chemical smell.
Germans say that this method saves water. Moreover, it is believed that the dish detergents used in the country are quite safe and eco-friendly. In short, the prevailing understanding is 'excess soap is not harmful, but excess water is wasteful.'