have never had to wash dishes by hand. they can load and unload a dishwasher like the best of 'em, but hand wash? say what? both wands are soft sponges that work great when they get wet, and one has a dispenser that pumps out soap with a push of a button. now my kids can head right to the bathroom after they eat, and very easily rinse and wash their dish without having to fill an entire sink. we were letting the dishes pile up for a day or two at a time, and trying to do a pile of dishes in this tiny area made me a crazy 