What is the difference between sanitizing and cleaning

Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants. Wash surfaces with a general household cleaner to remove germs. Rinse with water, and follow with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill germs. Read the label to make sure it states that EPA has approved the product for effectiveness against influenza A virus. If a surface is not visibly dirty, you can clean it with an EPA-registered product that both cleans removes germs and disinfects kills germs instead.

Be sure to read the label directions carefully, as there may be a separate procedure for using the product as a cleaner or as a disinfectant. Disinfection usually requires the product to remain on the surface for a certain period of time e.

Use disinfecting wipes on electronic items that are touched often, such as phones and computers. Pay close attention to the directions for using disinfecting wipes. It may be necessary to use more than one wipe to keep the surface wet for the stated length of contact time. Make sure that the electronics can withstand the use of liquids for cleaning and disinfecting.

Pay close attention to hazard warnings and directions on product labels. Cleaning products and disinfectants often call for the use of gloves or eye protection. For example, gloves should always be worn to protect your hands when working with bleach solutions. Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants unless the labels indicate it is safe to do so. Sanitizers contain pathogens that reduce germs and fungi to prevent contamination and cross-contamination.

You can also sanitize some items and surfaces using a dishwasher, washing machine, or steam cleaner. Steam cleaning is useful for removing germs from porous surfaces that are difficult to sanitize using liquids or sprays, like fabric, carpets, and upholstery. Disinfecting goes beyond cleaning and sanitizing because it kills bacteria and viruses.

A quality disinfectant spray should remove percent of the microscopic organisms on most hard surfaces. When used correctly, disinfectants stop the spread of diseases and viruses like colds and coronaviruses such as COVID One of our favorite housekeeping tips is to disinfect high-touch areas to minimize the spread of germs. Think of things like doorknobs, light switches, faucets, and cabinet pulls. To be effective, disinfecting solutions need to remain in contact with the surface for a specified length of time.

Dirt and organic debris can make some disinfectants less effective, so cleaning is necessary before disinfecting in most cases. Disinfectants are powerful tools for minimizing the spread of germs and viruses, but use them in moderation. The EPA warns that the overuse of disinfectants is a growing public health concern. You should only use them when you absolutely need to and apply them as directed. Sterilizers are far more powerful than sanitizers and disinfectants, and cleaning vs.

According to the CDC, sterilization is the process of destroying or eliminating all forms of microbial life. Sterilization is most often used by healthcare facilities using physical or chemical methods. Steam under pressure, dry heat, and liquid chemicals are all effective sterilizers.

Which surfaces and objects do I need to clean and disinfect? How can I safely clean and disinfect? It's important to be safe when using cleaning and disinfecting products: Store them in the containers they came in. Always follow the instructions and pay attention to the warnings on the label. Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants unless the labels say that it is safe to do so.

Combining certain products such as chlorine bleach and ammonia cleaners can cause serious injury or even death. Start Here. Environmental Protection Agency. Related Issues. Videos and Tutorials. Find an Expert. Patient Handouts. Clean low-risk surfaces, such as floors, windows, etc. Sanitizing should only be applied to food contact surfaces, which is required as part of the food code.

Disinfection is appropriate for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces likely to harbor pathogens. Since sanitizing does not make anti-viral claims, sanitizing offers no confidence of killing the flu or other viruses commonly found on surfaces.

Cleaning a surface simply removes visible debris, dirt and dust. Sanitizing a surface makes that surface sanitary or free of visible dirt contaminants that could affect your health. Sanitizing is meant to reduce, not kill, the occurrence and growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Cleaning alone will always contribute favorably to the health of indoor occupants because allergens and microorganisms are being removed from the surfaces of the indoor environment.

The problem, however, is the risk of cross-contamination. The mopping solution and the cleaning tools could be spreading disease in the absence of a germicide.