What is the last step after cleaning and sanitizing surfaces?

After cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, the last step is to allow the surface to air-dry. This step is crucial because drying helps to ensure that sanitizers work effectively. Many sanitizing solutions require the surface to remain wet for a certain period to eliminate harmful bacteria effectively. By allowing the surface to air-dry, you ensure that the sanitizer can continue its work without being wiped away prematurely.

Additionally, air-drying prevents the introduction of contaminants that could occur if a surface were to be wiped down with cloths or other materials that may harbor germs. This practice aligns with food safety protocols aimed at maintaining a clean environment, which is essential in preventing foodborne illnesses in food service operations.

Other steps, such as inspecting the surface and reassembling removable parts, are important in their own right, but they occur before the final air-drying stage. Therefore, ensuring that surfaces are allowed to air-dry is the last critical step in the cleaning and sanitizing process.