i have a dishwasher so my situation is a little different. My 21mth old likes to help load and unload. There are tablets you an purchase that go in rinse water. (i keeps in closed ccontainer for about a month). You wash the dishes and einse them normally then u dip them in the tablet water for disinfecting. ( daycares use this as it is safer than bleach). Then after that you let the dishes air dry... Unless you think the towel wont undo the disinfectant.

My 7yr ds does dishes and does a really good job!! He loves it!! I was also helping with the dishes at 7! My older sister would wash, I would rinse and my brother would dry! I say teach them early, sure dont hurt a bit!! Working around the house teaches good work ethic when they are older!

Karen