How should dishes be dried after washing?

Dishes should be air-dried on a clean surface or in a sanitized drying rack to ensure that they remain free from any contaminants that could cause foodborne illness. Air drying assists in completely removing any remaining moisture, which can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. This method is often recommended in food safety guidelines because it eliminates the risk of transferring contaminants from a towel or similar drying method that might not be clean.

While using a towel might help in drying dishes quickly, it can also introduce bacteria back onto the clean surfaces if the towel is not sanitized properly. Dishwashers can effectively clean and sanitize, but relying solely on a drying cycle may not always guarantee cleanliness if items are not laid out properly or if the dishwasher's filter or drying components are not well-maintained. Using hot air from a hand dryer is not appropriate for drying dishes, as these devices are designed specifically for hands and may not provide the proper drying conditions for dishware.