When should items be polished with a clean dry cloth?

Polishing items with a clean dry cloth after they air dry is an appropriate practice for ensuring cleanliness and enhancing the appearance of clean and sanitized items, particularly in food service environments. When items, such as dishes, glassware, or utensils, have been washed and air-dried, there may still be residual water spots or streaks left behind. Using a clean, dry cloth at this stage can help eliminate those spots and provide a polished look without compromising the sanitized nature of the items.

It's important to avoid polishing before an item has been sanitized, as any dust or contaminants could potentially introduce bacteria. Additionally, polishing items that are still wet from washing can lead to smudging or trapping bacteria. Therefore, air drying followed by polishing is the best practice to maintain both hygiene and aesthetic quality in food safety practices.