When must the cleaning step occur in a three-compartment sink?

In a three-compartment sink setup, the cleaning step is essential to ensure that dishes and utensils are free from food residue and other contaminants before they undergo rinsing. The process is typically structured as follows: first, items should be scraped of any excess food; then, they must be thoroughly cleaned using detergent and hot water to remove grease and food particles. This cleaning step must always occur before rinsing because rinsing simply washes away loose debris, and if the items are not clean beforehand, the rinsing will not effectively remove all contaminants. Therefore, performing the cleaning step right before rinsing is critical to ensuring that the subsequent sanitizing step is effective. Proper sequence leads to better sanitation and safe food handling practices.