Dirty dishes are almost inescapable – whether you cook or eat out, there are bound to be a few stray plates or cups waiting to be washed in the sink. With all the time, money, and energy that goes into keeping our homes clean, it should come as no surprise that there are holidays dedicated to reducing daily messes. These breaks give us the opportunity to enjoy activities that make us happy rather than spend hours cleaning house. No Dirty Dishes Day, celebrated on May 18th, is one such holiday- a reprieve from the daily grind of washing piles of dishes. Here, Geno’s Steaks will discuss the holiday and how you can celebrate it with the best Philly cheesesteak.
History of No Dirty Dishes Day
While there is no clear founder or origin of No Dirty Dishes Day, it is easy to see how it became a trend. Dishes are something that many of us spend a lot of time cleaning and putting away for future use. After all, plenty of people have begun cooking at home more often since the start of pandemic, and we all would appreciate a break from the routine.
There may be no record of No Dirty Dishes Day’s founder, but a major player in the celebration- disposable dishes- do have a history that contributes to the holiday’s lore. Paper plates were invented by Hermann Henschel, a German bookbinder, in Luckenwalde in 1867. These paper products originated out of convenience, but quickly caught on for safety reasons as well. In 1908, Dr. Samuel J. Crumbine was traveling by train when he saw one of his tuberculosis patients drinking straight from a public water source. In the interest of public health, he began a crusade against shared utensils in public areas to limit the spread of infectious diseases. This campaign pushed inventers Lawrence Luellen and Hugh Moore to create a disposable paper cup. The invention, “The Health Cup”, was later renamed as the famous “Dixie Cup”.
The invention of the Dixie Cup began a surge in single-use products such as plates, bowls, wooden cutlery, and paper food wraps. These products were extremely useful for feeding individuals that worked at remote locations to build roads, dams, and bridges. By the 1940s, the surge in defense factories due to World War II meant that there were many workers that needed to be fed conveniently. Paper plates stood out an efficient solution for distributing food to the staff.
How to Celebrate No Dirty Dishes Day
Celebrating No Dirty Dishes Day is easy, and all that you need to do to participate is make sure that you do not create any new dirty dishes. One of the easiest ways to do so is to order meals that do not require silverware or dishes to enjoy. For example, ordering from Geno’s Steaks, home of the best Philly cheesesteak, is a great way to enjoy a quality meal without contributing to the dirty dishes pile. If you must cook at home, No Dirty Dishes Day is the perfect excuse to use disposable dishware for the day.
No Dirty Dishes Day is a wacky holiday, but its message of taking time to enjoy yourself rather than stress over chores is one that many of us can get behind. Whether you are cooking at home and breaking out the paper plates or enjoying the best Philly cheesesteak from Geno’s Steaks, there is no way to go wrong with the holiday. Limit your dishes, order out if you can, and have a happy No Dirty Dishes Day on May 18th!