How long should items be immersed when cleaning with water without chemical additives?

• A. 30 seconds
• B. 15 seconds
• C. 45 seconds
• D. 60 seconds

Answer: (A)

Cleaning with water alone relies on physically loosening soil from surfaces through immersion and agitation. Thirty seconds provides enough time for residues to begin detaching without wasting steps, making it the practical balance among the options. Fifteen seconds often isn’t long enough for soils to loosen, while forty-five or sixty seconds adds unnecessary delay and doesn’t improve cleaning when no detergents or sanitizers are used. Remember, water-only cleaning reduces soil but does not sanitize; you’d need a sanitizer or heat step afterward to reduce pathogens.