Final answer:
The first compartment of a properly set up three-compartment sink is used for washing dishes with warm water and hand dishwashing detergent mixture. This detergent ensures efficient cleaning by reducing the surface tension, allowing water to quickly run off in the drying process. Scrape food from dishes before washing, and rinse well afterward to avoid soap residue.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a properly set up three-compartment sink, the first compartment is used for washing dishes with a cleaning solution. This cleaning solution typically consists of warm water mixed with a specific type of hand dishwashing detergent. Detergents contain surfactants that play the primary role in cleaning by reducing the surface tension of the water and increasing the solubility of contaminants, thus allowing dishes to be thoroughly cleaned of leftover food particles and grease. These detergents are specifically designed for manual dishwashing, as they require a different formulation compared to dishwasher detergents.
When washing dishes, it's important to first scrape any leftover food from the dishes. In the first sink, submerged dishes should be thoroughly cleaned with the detergent solution. This step removes the majority of food residue and debris from the dishes. The right detergent ensures that once the items are placed in a dish rack to dry, the water runs off quickly, leaving no streaks or spots. Rinsing dishes in the subsequent compartment with pure water is essential to remove any soap residue, preventing taste alterations in future meals. Each compartment in a three-compartment sink serves a distinct purpose in the dishwashing process, with the first compartment being critical for the initial washing and removal of grime before moving on to rinsing and sanitizing steps.