Handling Dishes

My husband's parents rinse all of the dishes and prep them for the dishwasher even if the dishwasher is full or already running. The dishes get neatly stacked on the counter. I've starting doing the same thing and found that's it's easier to get to the sink when it's not piled high with dishes, dishes are easier to clean if you rinse them right away, and it makes loading the dishwasher easier. What are some of your tips for making cleaning dishes easier?