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Understanding Cleaning, Sanitizing & Disinfecting Terms

CLEANING = REMOVE GERMS

Definition: the removal of visible soil, debris, microorganisms and organic substances from surfaces; will not eliminate germs but reduces their numbers by removing some contaminated matter.

At its elementary definition, cleaning is used to remove dirt, allergens and microorganisms from a surface and is typically completed with a cloth or wipe in conjunction with a detergent, soap or solvent. Cleaning helps reduce the number of germs that can lead to infection; however it does not necessarily kill any germs.

Cleaning is just the first step in a complete process, but it is a vital step that cannot be skipped. Even if you intend to sanitize or disinfect the area, cleaning away visible dirt dust, fingerprints and other marks beforehand makes it easier and more effective to remove microscopic germs with more intensive methods later.

SANITIZING = REDUCE GERMS

Definition: the reduction of bacteria to safe levels (set by public health standards) to decrease the risk of infection; may not kill all viruses.

A step beyond cleaning, sanitization kills a greater amount of bacteria and is required for any surface that comes into contact with food. According to the CDC definition, a sanitizer is “a chemical that kills 99.999% of the specific test bacteria in 30 seconds under the conditions of the test. Therefore, while sanitizers can kill the majority of certain kinds of bacteria, sanitization techniques and products alone cannot eliminate all viruses.

DISINFECTING = KILL GERMS

Definition: the elimination of pathogens and disease-causing microorganisms, except bacterial spores.

Disinfecting a surface means that chemicals are being used to kill germs. Disinfecting does not necessarily mean that dirt, germs, and impurities are being removed from the surface, but by killing the germs, the risk of spreading infection is lowered.

The key difference between sanitizing and disinfecting is the type of chemical involved and the length of time it is left on a surface. For many disinfectants, 10 minutes is the appropriate dwell time. However, be sure to read instructions on the chemical product to ensure proper disinfection.

To keep a hygienic and safe environment, make sure to complete the full regimen of all techniques from cleaning to sanitizing and disinfecting, as appropriate." 

https://octoclean.com/blog/the-difference-between-cleaning-sanitizing-and-disinfecting/

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