This may be used to wash down equipment. A cloth soaked in standard solution should be handy to wipe equipment. It is also useful to have a tray containing a little standard solution. Equipment can then be placed on this tray without risk of picking up bacteria from other surfaces. Hands must be clean.
Sterilisation is a pain, but is absolutely necessary.
The yeast must be actively working before it is pitched. This is absolutely essential in the case of dry yeast. A yeast starter is made in a plastic bottle. Add the yeast. Two sachets are recommended.