What is the correct order for hand washing dishes?

The correct order for hand washing dishes is to first pre-scrape any leftover food from the dishes. This initial step ensures that larger particles and residues do not interfere with the washing process, allowing the detergent to work effectively on the surfaces.

Next, the dishes should be thoroughly washed with soap and warm water. This cleans off grease and any remaining food particles, making the next steps more effective.

After washing, the dishes need to be rinsed to remove any soap residue and dislodged food particles. This is crucial because soap can leave an unpleasant taste and may be harmful if ingested.

Following the rinse, it's essential to sanitize the dishes. This step involves using a sanitizing solution or hot water, which effectively kills any remaining bacteria to ensure food safety. The recommended sanitizing time is 15-30 seconds for this process to be effective.

Finally, air drying is the last step. Air drying is preferred over using a towel because it minimizes the risk of recontaminating the dishes and allows them to dry completely.

This sequence is critical to maintaining hygiene and food safety standards in food service, which is why this order is recognized in industry practices.