Wash dishes as soon as possible when you have finished eating. If you have left them to soak in water, ensure they are well washed afterwards. After washing, allow dishes to air dry.
Leaving dirty dishes for more than a few hours allows bacteria to grow on the food scraps and residues on the dishes and utensils. Air drying contributes to the bacteria die off on the dish. Bacteria need moisture to survive and grow.
Utensils and chopping boards should be washed at the end of each meal in the same way as dishes. Disinfect chopping boards used for raw food at least once a week in a solution of weak bleach made from a teaspoon of bleach in a litre of water.