How long should dishes be held in chlorine sanitizing solution?

Dishes should be held in a chlorine sanitizing solution for a duration of 15 seconds to effectively kill bacteria and pathogens. This time frame is established based on research and guidelines that ensure thorough sanitization while also allowing for adequate contact with the sanitizer. Holding dishes in the solution for at least 15 seconds provides an effective level of sanitation, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

The rationale behind this specific time is that it allows the chlorine-based sanitizer sufficient time to interact with and destroy harmful microorganisms present on the surfaces of the dishes. If the contact time is shorter, such as 5 seconds or 10 seconds, it may not be sufficient to ensure that all pathogens are eliminated. Conversely, holding dishes for a much longer time, like 30 seconds, may not necessarily provide additional benefits and could lead to potential degradation of the surfaces being sanitized or the sanitizer itself. Therefore, the 15-second rule aligns well with food safety standards and practices in ensuring that sanitized items are safe for use.