We’ve all been there: There’s a pile of dishes stacked in the sink—staring at you and begging to be washed. But you have to run out for work, catch a dinner, or are just too tired to even think about it.

We’re only human, after all. The question is—how long should you really leave dirty dishes in the sink?

For those of us who are on the go or have full plates (resulting in empty plates…in the sink), it can be helpful to know the answer so you’re not left with a cluttered kitchen, or worse, pesky fruit flies.

So, we tapped two professional cleaning experts for their insight—along with their top tips to make cleaning your dishes easier and quicker.

How Long Should You Leave Dirty Dishes in the Sink?

As a whole, experts agree that leaving dishes out longer than a day should be avoided. 

“Not only do they attract bacteria and odors, but a sink full of dishes isn’t very inviting,” Iryna Balaban, co-founder of Sunlight Cleaning NY, says. “I always suggest at least giving them a rinse or stacking them neatly if time’s tight. It makes a big difference in how fresh the kitchen feels!”

Karina Toner, operations manager of home cleaning service Spekless, also notes that leaving dishes out makes the task of cleaning them feel more daunting. Not to mention, food scraps on dishes can harden and become more difficult to scrub off.

“In my experience, I’ve found that once dishes sit overnight, the stuck-on grime can double the time it takes to clean each item, especially if you don’t have access to hot water right away,” Toner says.

With dishwashers, there may be more leeway to leave dishes out longer, especially if you’re waiting to run a full load to save water, according to Toner. Still, she advises caution. 

“I’ve noticed that even the best dishwashers struggle with dried-on bits, so rinsing dishes briefly before loading can save you a second wash cycle,” Toner explains.

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The Drawbacks of Leaving Dirty Dishes Out

Leaving dishes out for too long doesn’t just result in unpleasant smells —it also creates visual clutter. 

“If dishes are left out in the sink, the room will definitely look disorganized, which can make cooking or even grabbing a quick snack feel overwhelming,” Toner says. “When you walk into a kitchen and see piles of unwashed dishes, your eye is immediately drawn to the mess rather than to clean, open surfaces.”

Dirty dishes can create more obstacles when it comes to general kitchen cleaning, as well.

“A full sink can make it harder to get to the faucet or clean countertops easily,” Balaban explains. “When the sink is clear, you have room to rinse sponges or empty containers without fuss, and the whole cleaning process feels smoother.”

Dirty dishes also tend to have a domino effect, spreading clutter to other areas nearby—like counters where dishes might spill over if the sink is too full, Toner notes. 

“In a small kitchen, the impact is even more noticeable, as there’s less room for items to be hidden from view,” she says.

The Risk of Bugs and Pests

When dishes are left out too long, especially with food remnants, they may attract ants, cockroaches, and even fruit flies, according to Toner.

“Once they find a source of food, they can be tough to eliminate, and just washing the dishes once isn’t always enough if they’ve made your kitchen their new habitat,” Toner elaborates.

To avoid the issue, simple habits go a long way.

“A quick rinse or scrub can make a world of difference in keeping pests away and maintaining a clean, inviting space,” Balaban says.

Tips to Make Cleaning Dishes Easier and Quicker

If leaving dishes out is a consistent challenge for you, certain tricks can make the process less daunting.

“One tip that works wonders is to let dishes soak in warm, soapy water while you’re finishing up in the kitchen,” Balaban suggests. “By the time you’re ready to wash, food bits come off without much scrubbing.”

For extra-tough spots, Balaban recommends a sprinkle of baking soda and a splash of vinegar from the pantry to do the trick.

Hot water also makes a world of difference in making grime disappear.

“It can feel harsh on the hands (nothing a good set of rubber dishwashing gloves can’t help protect!), but it’s incredibly effective for cutting through grease and loosening food particles,” Toner says.