Wiping cloths used for counters and walls should be?

Wiping cloths used for counters and walls should be stored in a sanitizing solution to ensure that they remain free from harmful bacteria and other pathogens. When cloths are stored in a sanitizing solution, they are kept wet with a chemical concentration that is effective at killing germs. This practice is critical in a food handling environment where cleanliness and sanitation are paramount to preventing foodborne illnesses.

Keeping the cloths in a sanitizing solution allows for them to be readily available for use whenever needed, ensuring that any surface can be cleaned efficiently and effectively. Furthermore, this method of storage helps to prolong the life of the cloth, as it minimizes the opportunity for bacteria to grow when they are not in use.

The other options either fail to maintain the necessary level of sanitation or do not align with best practices for food safety. For instance, storing the cloths in hot water may not provide the necessary sanitation, as hot water alone does not effectively kill pathogens without a specific sanitizer. Washing in a dishwasher might not be feasible in busy food service settings where cloths are used throughout the day. Similarly, using the cloths only once would be impractical and wasteful, as they must often be reused for efficiency, demanding proper sanitization between uses.