WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLEANING, SANITIZING, AND DISINFECTING

Now, more than ever, it is essential to understand how to effectively protect yourself, your family, or even your employees from germs and infections. Unfortunately, there is quite a lot of misunderstanding about the type of cleaning we should apply. The terms cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are sometimes used interchangeably, yet there are significant variations between them. We will help you learn the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting by exploring these terms individually.

 

Cleaning

Cleaning is something that most of us avoid doing, yet it is essential for maintaining our living and working spaces. To clean, you must eliminate all visible dirt, dust, and debris. Such things might detract from the appearance of your property, which is why cleaning is so important.

You typically need a cloth with some detergent, cleaning spray, or water to wipe objects down. Vacuuming is another form of cleaning.

When it comes to the types of cleaning, there are weekly cleaning routines as well as monthly and yearly ones. What you will opt for is very subjective and will depend on your habits and needs. When it comes to germs, the process of cleaning does not necessarily remove them. On the other hand, it optimizes subsequent sanitization and disinfection since it provides a clean slate.

Caption: Wiping down your plants is one form of cleaning since it removes the visible dust from them.

Alt-tag: A man wiping a plant with a cloth

Sanitizing

On the other hand, sanitizing is the process of removing a considerable number of germs until the object is safe to use. The safety level depends on what you are cleaning, such as a hospital, school, restaurant, office, or home. It is essential to adequately sanitize to stop the spread of infections. In these challenging times, sanitizing has become second nature. However, we must remain diligent in protecting others.

 

Sanitizing is done by using harsher products that are able to remove bacteria or germs. Read the label and wear protective gear if needed. Even getting a simple automatic sanitizer dispenser could help you and your employees maintain safety in the workplace. Remember that sanitizing does not mean the same thing as cleaning. Both are equally important for a healthy environment

 

Disinfecting

And finally – disinfecting. Disinfecting is one of the most reliable ways to stop the spread of infection. It can be even more beneficial than sanitizing since it kills bacteria and viruses. However, remember that it does not clean a surface or remove germs. Places that large groups of people often use should be disinfected accordingly. Your home also needs its own disinfecting routine to secure the health of you and your loved ones.

You can disinfect with harsh chemicals such as bleach and alcohol solutions. Be sure to read the label and understand which cleaning and sanitizing solutions are most appropriate. Additionally, educate yourself on how to use the disinfectant of your choice securely and effectively. Purchase any protective gear like gloves and masks while you are at it. You will most definitely need it while disinfecting your environment. Remember that disinfectants require some time to be activated, so be sure to wait until all germs have been eradicated. Disinfecting can be pretty daunting to do on your own. Hire professional help if you feel you need some assistance with this task.

 

Why it is important to clean, sanitize, and disinfect

We must do our due diligence to protect ourselves and others. It is essential to take care of our immediate living environment and our workspace to adequately safeguard everyone involved.

 

Although there is a difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, these tasks are all interdependent. You cannot possibly disinfect a messy environment. These important tasks should all be crucial in our daily, monthly, and yearly routines and should never be neglected.

 

You should ensure your space is clean, sanitized, and disinfected beforehand if you are planning a move, for example. Make your health and the health of your loved ones a priority by ensuring that you live in a safe and germ-free place. We understand that cleaning and disinfecting your home before and after the move might seem overwhelming. This is why you should establish a routine and seek assistance if necessary. Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting your environment should become a joint effort between you and your family. This will lessen the load and instill good habits for your children.

 

How often should you clean, sanitize and disinfect

You might be asking yourself how frequently you should clean, sanitize and disinfect your place. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on a number of factors, such as your routine, free time, how many people you are cleaning up after, and if you are getting any help or not. Furthermore, the location you’re in charge of may have various requirements when it comes to these factors. We hope you now understand the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. You may devise your own ideal regimen for these tasks based on the information we provided. However, once you are done, do not forget to use hand sanitizer effectively. Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting your environment is just half the battle. You must sanitize yourself often to protect anyone you might come in contact with.