Washing dishes with only cold water and no soap or detergent, as done in some restaurants, is not an effective method to thoroughly clean and sanitize dishes. While it might be a time-saving practice in busy commercial kitchens, it's not recommended for regular home use.
Soap or detergent plays a crucial role in the dishwashing process. It helps to break down and remove grease, food residues, and bacteria from the dishes. Warm or hot water is also important as it helps to enhance the cleaning efficiency by dissolving and removing fats and oils more effectively.
In a restaurant setting, dishes are often pre-rinsed before being sent through commercial dishwashers, which use high water temperatures and powerful jets to clean and sanitize the dishes properly. Additionally, commercial dishwashers have specific sanitizing rinse cycles, further ensuring that dishes are safe and free from harmful bacteria.
At home, it's essential to use a dishwasher or hand wash dishes with a combination of warm or hot water and dish soap or detergent to achieve thorough cleaning and proper sanitation. Using cold water without soap or detergent may leave residues, germs, and potential health risks on the dishes, which can be harmful to you and your family.
To maintain proper hygiene and ensure clean dishes, it's best to follow the standard practice of using soap or detergent with warm or hot water when washing dishes at home.