“Are the dishes clean or dirty?” is a question that is asked at my house over and over, every day, about the dishes in the dishwasher. I typically run my dishwasher every night about bedtime, then the dishes are ready to unload the next morning, and I usually do unload them first thing in the morning, but not always. Sometimes I don’t. So, there is where the question comes in. “Are the dishes clean or dirty?”, my husband or who ever is in my kitchen will ask, once or twice, or maybe five times. I decided to make a ready answer to that question using Scrabble letter tiles like I had seen in so many craft projects on Pinterest.
Fortunately, I had an ancient Scrabble game that likely was missing pieces, so I didn’t feel bad about using some of the tiles for my project. I wouldn’t dare use our current Scrabble game.
For the project I used a piece of black craft felt, the scrabble tiles to spell CLEAN and DIRTY, some crafters glue, and a flat magnet.
I cut a piece of felt 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches for the backing for the letter tiles. I applied glue to each tile back and to the sides that touched the next tile, placing each one carefully in line on the felt backing.
Glue both rows of tiles in line, being sure to place the words so that they will read correctly when the magnet is flipped over.
Give the glue some drying time, then cut the magnet to size if needed and glue to the back. I gave mine time to dry overnight before using.
The next morning I was ready to place my new magnet on the dishwasher and have the “Clean or Dirty?” question forever after answered. Well, the best laid plans sometimes do not work out as planned, I suppose. I unloaded the clean dishes, and slapped my new magnet to the front to show that the dishwasher was ready for “Dirty” dishes, but the magnet just slid to the floor with a dull thud. One thing my brain had failed to process in my planning, my dishwasher is made of stainless steel – magnets won’t stick.
I hope this mission will be more helpful to someone else than it was to me! My daughter Angela says her dishwasher is a metal that will hold a magnet, and that she would love to use my Scrabble magnet, so maybe it will be useful to her at least.
For now I am still trying to answer the question, “Are the dishes clean or dirty?”
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It's a great idea – too bad it won't work on your dishwasher 🙁
Your idea was great and at least it will get put to good use. Now you've got me thinking since my dishwasher front is maple and I had to give up my magnet years ago. How about a sign that can spin around on a suction cup?
Oooh no!and such a good idea! Couldn't you mount it on a triangular wood thingy instead and have it sit on top of the dishwasher and then just flip it?
What a cute idea. Too bad it wouldn't work on your dishwasher but nice for your lucky daughter.
I made some coasters last Christmas using Scrabble tiles, but I had to buy the tiles on eBay – you were lucky to have your own! 🙂
I hear this question quite often too! This is a great idea, thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh no! The best laid plans! I would have done the same thing but I don't have any stainless steel here….not much anyway. It's just me so I don't really have to worry about it. Can't they just look inside? I never pre-rinse….so it's pretty obvious at my house! LOL!
Great idea and so cute too! It may not stick to your dishwasher but you could put in on your frig instead. Still very useful! Thanks for sharing.
~ Terrie
HearthandWhimsy.com
What a fab idea, we definitely need something like this in our house as the clean/dirty question pops up a lot. It's such a shame that magnets don't stick to your dishwasher!
What a cool idea! In our house, it's me who always tries to put dirty cereal bowls into clean dishwashers, so I'll definitely need one of those (just have to check if it works on my dishwasher)!
That's a cute idea! I love these little wooden letters and really need to start picking some up:@)
Scrabble letters are so cute! I hope you come up with more clever ideas for them. Our only magnetic surface is the for separating the kitchen from the garage, so I often put magnets with notes to the family on it. Linda
Anita, What a clever use of Scrabble tiles! This is such a chic little kitchen helper!
Thanks for joining TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS!
Great idea! I love scrabble letters used "outside of the box"!!
Fabulous! Love this! I am your newest follower.
Have a great day!
Hope :o)
Super fun idea!
Your honesty has me laughing out loud. Hilarious that you didn't realize your own dishwasher is stainless steel. At this point in my life, my bisque colored fridge filled with magnets, notes, grocery snippit to dos (I never forget the important staples but do need a note when we're getting low on pine nuts), and the occasional coupon that I will remember…I will, I will…is the ONLY thing holding my life together.
But, please tell hubby, how hard is it? LOOK…if the dishwasher has glasses dripping grape juice from the top rack the chance is that things are DIRTY…
hilarious. Thanks for letting me join your blog. We're going to have great fun.
hehe This is sooo cute! And it would be very useful here!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
I have been planning on making this for my house. same question is asked constantly. I can't use a magnet either, but I am going to use velcro. One piece on the dishwasher, second piece on clean/dirty. I am hoping that will work well.
LOVE this idea! Instead of using a magnet I used a strip of velcro. It works great! I actually had the letters and velcro so this didn't cost me anything. I still used felt which I had as well. I just put a long strip of velcro on the back of the felt and then a strip on the dishwasher of course. 🙂
I have an even easier solution: as soon as dishwasher is emptied add your soap cube to the machine.Little door will pop open if dishwasher is done.Open door means clean closed means dirty machine not turned on.Works at my house.
Doing this for both dishwasher & our washing machine.
Is the felt necessary?
I used the felt just to provide a backing for stability and to get the letters securely glued, but I think it would work fine to glue the letters directly to a magnet.
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What kind of magnet did you use? Where did you buy your supplies and the magnet? Also what kind of E-6000 glue did you use?
I had the Scrabble letters from an old discarded game, but I have also bought Scrabble letters from eBay. Everything else can be purchased at a craft store like Hobby Lobby. Magnets come different ways, but you can buy a long strip that can be cut to the length you want. Pinterest has many other fun crafts to do with Scrabble letters.
E-6000 is a standard craft glue and can be bought in different sizes. It's a great glue for most any craft project.
Scrabble Sprint Game is only to learn and practice English words or you can play it in other languages also?