Cleaning up after meals is faster and simpler when you can stack dirty dishes in a dish washing machine, add detergent, select a cycle and go. Fortunately, if you’re stuck in a home without a dishwasher, you don’t actually have to go to the trouble of installing a built-in dishwasher in order to enjoy this convenience. You can choose a portable dishwasher instead.

A small dishwasher on wheels can slide into a free corner of the kitchen and make your clean-up routine a breeze. Moreso, an even smaller compact tabletop dishwasher can be stored on the counter by the sink or next to the refrigerator. In fact, a portable or mini dishwasher is perfect if you are renting your home or apartment because you may not have the option of installing anything permanent and you will be able to take the appliance with you if you move.

You may also appreciate a countertop dishwasher if you have a small or challenging cooking space that requires small appliances, like mini fridges, toaster ovens and other appliance essentials for small space living.

Your portable or countertop dishwasher needs to be located near a sink and an electrical outlet for it to run. Follow all the manufacturer’s directions when hooking up your compact dishwasher hoses to minimize the risk of clogs and slow draining. Many portable dishwashers feature wheels so that you can store the dishwasher in another room or a closet and roll it into the kitchen when you need to use it.

By choosing a portable dishwasher, you will free up room for larger appliances that require dedicated space, like ranges, wall ovens and luxury microwaves. You might also make use of a small dishwasher in another area of your home, which would be ideal if you have a home bar.

When using your dishwasher, make sure all of the cookware, flatware, cutlery and dinnerware you put in it are marked as dishwasher-safe. And, to prolong the life of your dishwasher and help it retain its peak performance follow these six tips on how to load and use your dishwasher. Using your countertop dishwasher correctly and cleaning it regularly will save you time and hassle in the long run.