Old man here learning a new skill. I have a p1p and use the stock build plate. PEI I think. How often do I need to wash it? The soap and water that is recommended. And also what are the advantages to other plates? I am strictly a hobbyist and am learning a lot but also finding out how much I don’t know.
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Welcome @Butch2112!
I just started out a few weeks ago as well, so take my response with a grain of salt.
I have been washing my plates with Dawn and hot water every 3 to 5 prints, and have not had any issues. I will always wash them if I notice some buildup or oily marks (which are easier to see on the non-shiny plates like the smooth plate).
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When it gets dirty, ie, the oil from fingers prevents model from adhering properly on the plate.
I have washed my original black PEI plate exactly once in two years. That’s when I tried to print a full plate and the parts near the edges of the plate came loose during print, which lead me to realize that although I had been careful not touching the plate, I still touched the edges when taking the plate in and out. If you are careful enough, and only use the middle part of the plate that you never touch, it can last very long without the need to wash it.
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This should be interesting because there will probably be lots of replies. I’m in the minority - the only time I wash the build plate is when a print happens to fail, which is rarely. I do a quick coat of hairspray every so often and that’s it. Also, i use a different build plate if I want a different “finish” on the print, which is also rare.
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I’ve had my P1P for about 2-3 months now. I wipe down the build plate with 99% isopropyl alcohol just before every print, and I’ve maintained very consistent results.
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This very much.
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I’m 66 and an old dog learning new tricks.
I wash my plates probably every 4 - 5 prints but that comes with practice in holding the plate by its edges, use a paper towel between your fingers and plate.
Be mindful of where on the build plate your model with be erected. Keep your hands away from that spot as you can leave skin oil smudge marks.
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Welcome to the community.
Don’t take this answer as being flippant but the answer to “how often” is: “When it’s needed.”
Plate cleaning is only necessary when filament doesn’t adhere or the bottom print surface looks poor. You’ll recognize when it’s an issue. It’s not really a maintenance issue like changing your car’s oil is.
I have workhorse plates I rarely clean, just adding glue when needed for prototyping. For finished products, I use clean, well-maintained plates to ensure high-quality results.
Since you’re new, experiment to see what works for you. Over time, you’ll acquire plates for different purposes, like functional or aesthetic finishes—similar to a carpenter uses different saw blades for specific cuts. Be cautious about advice you read or hear in forums. While this community is a great resource, opinions can vary widely, and what works for one person may not suit your needs. Use others’ input as guidance, but let your own experience lead the way. And remember what Clint Eastwood said in Dirty Harry “Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink”. 
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As usual Olias is correct.
I can sometimes get away with my plate for dozens of prints before adhesion becomes a concern.
Sometimes though it only takes one or two prints to make an area fail with a different kind of filament.
I am still on the original PEI plate the printer came with.
Ordered a spare early on but no clue when I will ever need it considering I have not event turned to first plate over yet.
About 120 to 130 rolls of filament so far I would say…
Since things often fail to stick when you need them to stick and then quite often the plate cleaning fails to help…
Peel off all plastic that might still be stuck to the plate.
Wash in the sink using a soft sponge, warm water and dishwashing liquid.
Dry off, the clean again using a good window cleaner and two microfiber cloths - one to clean the other to dry (or use a large enough one you can fold over).
That should be all to get a plate squeaky clean again.
A great test to find problem spots is to print a single layer covering (most of) the entire plate.
Any problem spots will clearly show by being uneven or lifting off.
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Thanks to everyone. I have discovered I was handling my plate way to much. Being new I am printing a lot of little things and had no idea to handle the plate between prints. Learning is always fun LOL 
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I find it difficult to wash the plates due to my disabilities.
I know I have to do it, but, I must admit, I have bought spare plates to defer the requirement, multiple times.
It is just so hard to stand up near a sunk, balance, nit drop them because of my hand tremors, turn them over, rub them, rinse them and even dry them.
It is exhausting and wipes me out for a while.
In answer to your question, when stuff falls off them I know it needs to be cleaned.
I do move the prints to the corners first though until they also start metaphorically screaming to be bathed.
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My story is a bit different than most of you I think.
I am grinding on 30 rolls of PETG currently, as hobbyist not print farm. Seldom have to clean my alixepress textured pei plates. I only clean the plate when PETG sticks too well to the plate. Then after cleaning, a nice uniform coat of hair spray would help the print release itself better. I just clean it with sugar soap, cheapest brand from supermarket, and hot water, like 60°C - 70°C hot, srcub it well (or violently I may say) using scotch-brite.
Yeah, I don’t have problem with the print not stick to the bed but I have problem with the print stick too well to the bed.
I have only one p1s but about 10 plates. Each 2 plates dedicate for each type of plastic so that there is no way contaminated residue of previous prints affecting the bed adhesion. You know different type of plastic may not stick or bond together. I am also careful not to touch the surface of the plate that currently in use when bending the plate to release the print.
The convenience of spare plate is that I can just print next plate immediately while taking time remove the debris that stick too well to the bed.
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Has anyone tried loading up their dishwasher with print plates and using Dawn soap? Curious if there are any downsides here?
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The relatively high heat. Also, regular dish soap in a dishwasher can cause a flood of soap foam.
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It was a little over 30 years ago I learned that lesson… the hard way lol.
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I had a friend do it many years ago. One of those life lessons. 
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NEVER PUT LIQUID SOAP IN A DISHWASHER! Ask my school buddy Suds. He got that nickname WAY before we could drink beer. So it just kinda stuck.
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I have learned a lot in this forum and one of the most important lessons is “try it and see what happens” (I would not recommend using TPU in an AMS, though). You mentioned that you are an old-timer and I guess I could be considered the same (I’m 64). If you are of the boomer generation, this may help - handle the build plate like a 33 or a 45.
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What could it possibly be? 80C? 90C? This shouldn’t even be close to affecting PEI.
Excellent answer. Thanks wonder how many kids on here have no idea what you are talking about.