Final answer:
Cleaning cloths, sponges, and scrubbing pads should be stored in a sanitizing solution or air dried to ensure they are safe for use. Storing them improperly can lead to contamination and poses health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The storage of store cleaning cloths, sponges, and scrubbing pads should be done in a way that ensures they remain free of contaminants and microbes. The best practice is to store them in sanitizing solution or to allow them to air dry, as this will help to remove or kill microbes that could pose a health risk. Storing these items on the floor under shelves, hanging in the kitchen, or in flatware drawers is not recommended as these methods can lead to contamination and are not consistent with proper sanitizing procedures. Cleanliness is a relative term, and while eating with silverware cleaned in a dishwasher is generally safe, surgical instruments require a higher level of cleanliness due to the risks of infection. Sanitization refers to the process of cleaning to reduce the microbial load to safe levels, and this can be achieved through the use of hot water, air drying, and chemical disinfectants.