Which step is NOT required to ensure sanitizer effectiveness?

Rinsing the surface after applying sanitizer is not required to ensure its effectiveness. In fact, rinsing can remove the sanitizing agent, diminishing its ability to kill or inhibit pathogens on contaminated surfaces. The key steps to ensure sanitizer effectiveness involve cleaning the surface to remove dirt and debris, applying the appropriate sanitizer, and allowing it to air dry, which facilitates the proper contact time necessary for pathogen elimination.

When surfaces are properly cleaned before sanitizing, it allows the sanitizer to effectively penetrate and act on any remaining pathogens. Air drying also helps in maintaining the chemical concentration of the sanitizer on the surface for a duration that allows it to work effectively. Therefore, the rinsing step is not only unnecessary but can potentially undermine the sanitization process by washing away the sanitizer before it can exert its germicidal action.