What should you do first before washing dishes in a 3-compartment sink?

Before washing dishes in a 3-compartment sink, the first step is to scrape leftover food into the trash. This is an important practice to prevent food particles from contaminating the wash water and to ensure effective cleaning. By removing solid food debris, you help maintain a hygienic washing environment, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination and ensures that the dishes can be adequately cleaned.

Rinsing dishes may seem practical, but it is not as effective as scraping because food particles can still linger and affect the sanitation process. Soaking dishes in sanitizer should come later in the process after they have been thoroughly washed and rinsed. Drying with a towel is also not appropriate until after the dishes have been cleaned and sanitized. Proper order of operations is essential in food safety to ensure that dishes and utensils are sanitized effectively and free from contaminants.