Last week someone (sorry - forgot who) posted a great tip about putting a blob of icing in plastic wrap before placing in a bag for piping. Wow that saves a lot of clean up time!
So now I'm working on my next worst pet peeve.....cleaning tips. Anyone have any good tip for quickly cleaning icing tips? I truely hate hand washing, and the mesh bag doesn't do the trick in the dishwasher.
I wonder if you could use those dishwasher baskets. They are sold in the baby section of Wal Mart or Target. You put the lids and paci's and straws and stuff in them. I think that's what I'm going to try.
I put mine in the dishwasher in the little mess bag that came with the dishwasher. I have heard of putting them in a little soapy water and then putting them in the microwave, but I'm too chicken to try that. I have fears about burning up my microwave
I have one of the baskets from Wal-Mart and it works great for the dishwasher. I like it because the dishwasher gets hot enough to melt any icing off the tips.
I know this is not really easy but I soak mine in super hot water and then take a tooth pick and scrape the inside of the tip then rinse in hot water and they come out really clean.....
I didn't like the brush because it doesn't always get all the dried icing out and the dishwasher doesn't either... hot water is a dirty tips best friend!
As I go I put my tips in a container with lots of dawn and really hot water. Then when I am finished I put the lid on and shake shake shake. Then I drain them and they are pretty easy to wash. I bet if I had one of the nipple things I could put them in there and they would come out clean as a whistle. Hmmmm maybe I will pick one up on my next trip to Target. It will be funny to se dh face if I buy a baby thingy
I LOVE THE MICROWAVE METHOD!!!!!!!!! 
I was scared at first too. But believe me after you do this you will never look back.
Clean out tips and couplers with the tip of my finger then.....
Put tips (yes I know they are metal) in a microwave safe container. Put some Dawn dishwashing liquid in and COVER the tips with water. Remember the bubbles will expand so make sure the container is large enough to handle it. Nuke the whole thing for about 30 sec. the tips will be very hot!!!
Rinse well and your done!!
I agree with the microwave method. Would not clean tips any other way. The key is to make sure the water covers the tips, the water acts as a conductor and will keep your microwave from burning up.
I will normally nuke mine for a full minute, but 30 seconds should work well.
I usually take the tips and put them to soak in boiled water and dawn. Let them soak till the water is cold and repeat the process. After the water is cold again I rinse everything with running hot water and place on paper towels to dry. Use this for the bags also. Think I will look into the baby nipple container to try in the dishwasher though, this sounds so much easier. Thanks for that tip. Everyone on here has such great ideas to share. Thanks for all your help.
I think the baby basket works perfectly, i had put mine away when my son used cups, but when i started decorating I just knew it would be perfect....Like I said though i run hot water through them first to get out the majority of icing but I like the idea of running it through the dishwasher just to sterilize them.
I kinda like the baby nipple idea too....wont THAT freak out my new hubby to see me buying that stuff (evil laugh heard in the background!). But since we have a new grandbaby on the way it might not....
Microwave method also sounds interesting....do you have to use Dawn or will any dishwashing detergent work?? know that' a rather silly question, but you just never know!
any dish detergent that cuts grease will work
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