Cleaning & Disinfecting Equipment

You follow the same steps to clean and disinfect equipment, but the sanitiser you use may be a solution that you mix with hot water in a sink, rather than a spray bottle. This process can be completed in a few ways. You may have a double bowl sink. The first bowl for the detergent and the second one for the hot water and sanitising solution; or it can be done by washing with the detergent in one sink, and then spraying and wiping the equipment with a sanitiser using the spray bottle. Once you’ve done this, letting equipment air dry in a drying rack is the most hygienic option, but you can use paper towels or a disposable cloth if you need to. Dishwashers can be used to complete this process for you, as they clean and disinfect equipment. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you use a dishwasher and dishwasher chemicals. And finally – there’s sterilisation. This is the only process that removes or destroys all microorganisms, including spores – which is commonly achieved by using boiling water or steam. This is rarely required though, as using the appropriate detergents, sanitisers and disinfectants should keep your workplace safe and compliant. If you have any questions about this, speak with your supervisor.