Do you have a dishwasher? Did you know you're supposed to "pre-wash" your dishes before loading the dishwasher? I am learning this. I say "learning" because despite being told to do this, I still have trouble getting every single tiny little, cell-sized food particle off. I'm trying. I'm human.

This is my problem with "The Pre-Wash." The other day I was cleaning the kitchen and I get to a pile of dishes, glasses, pots and pans in the sink. Ok, time to load the dishwasher, so it's time to pre-wash. With the hot water running and my blue, one abrasive-scrubbing-side sponge, I begin the task at hand. Pre-wash the dish, place in the dishwasher. Pre-wash the glass, place on the top rack. Pre-wash the butter knife, place in the silverware holder. Pre-wash the bowl, place in the dishwasher. Wait a minute. That bowl isn't done. It still has food stuff stuck to it. Dried out Fruit Pebbles stuff to be exact. "Well, I'll just put a little more elbow grease into it," I tell myself, "That'll get rid of the stuck-on stuff." I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but that didn't work.

So what do you do? You can do what I did. Grab the liquid soap - the Dawn or Lemon Fresh Joy or whatever you use - and pour some all over the bowl. This will soften up the natural adhesive that is dried out Fruity Pebbles. It kinda works along the same likes as nail polish remover on crazy glue. Side note - Dried out Fruity Pebbles is stronger and dries quicker than crazy glue.

Now, with the crusty food stuff softened, I'm able to get every speck of Fruity Pebbles off the bowl with just a tiny bit of elbow grease. Thanks to the soap, the bowl is clean and the dishwasher is loaded. Wait a second. Re-read that statement. Thanks to the soap, the bowl is clean and the dishwasher is loaded. The bowl is clean and the dishwasher is loaded. The bowl is clean. THE BOWL IS CLEAN!

How in the heck did that happen? Isn't that why we have a dishwasher? (besides it coming with the apartment...) Why "pre-wash" when you can just add soap, exert the same energy, and get the job done yourself? That's my beef with "the pre-wash." Beef. That'll probably take a little soap to get that off too, I bet...