What mess? Never heard about cleaning your station while cooking? There is more than enough time to put things away and dishes in the dishwasher while dinner is cooking. Knifes are cleaned immediately after use. No mess.

Depends on how many things you are making at the same time and the volume of mess.per item.

Cleaning as you go is the best, but sometimes you can’t stop stirring or chopping or peeling to do it.