Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitising, and Disinfecting

Keeping your home clean is important for your health and safety. Urarguably, cleaning is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chances of getting ill since it helps you get rid of germs and contaminants from all the high-touch surfaces.

However, a lot of the time, terms like clean, sanitise and disinfect are used interchangeably for cleaning. Although such terms are often referred to as “one in the same”, the meaning of cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting are actually quite different.

Ideally, you should use them in different situations. This is why you should first learn about the difference between them and their procedures so that you can use them to keep your place in pristine condition.

Most professionals that offer expert bond cleaning Sunshine Coast recommend understanding the differences between them to utilise them in the best way. Here is the difference between cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting. Learn about them to use the products correctly.

1. What is Cleaning?

In simple terms, cleaning something means getting rid of all the evident contaminants from a surface. This includes particles like dust, dirt, food particles, etc. Typically, it is done by brushing, wiping, or washing an area. Often, this is just a surface-level procedure and is not ideal for removing all germs. However, it can help reduce the number of germs.

Often, this is expected to be the first step of the complete procedure. Many people prefer using commercial cleaning products, while others like to utilise DIY cleaning solutions. Similarly, many budget bond cleaners Sunshine Coast use natural cleaners, while others use cleaners that contain toxic ingredients.

2. What is Sanitising?

Put simply, sanitising is about decreasing the count of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, on a surface once you have cleaned it with the help of professional cleaners. The sanitiser you use should be able to decrease the count of bacteria to a level that is considered safe. Sanitising chemicals should be able to kill 99.9% of the test bacteria in less than 30 seconds.

Even though sanitising decreases bacteria growth, it fails to kill all the viruses on a specific surface. Usually, sanitising is just a preventive measure, which is why it is practised in places like offices, schools, restaurants, and hospitals. Ideally, you should sanitise all the surfaces that come into contact with food.

3. What is Disinfecting?

Basically, disinfecting is about killing some particular viruses as well as pathogens on a surface with the use of disinfectant. Such agents must be able to kill 99.9% of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in 5 – 10 minutes.

This is why professionals who do cheap bond cleaning Sunshine Coast recommend disinfecting regularly touched surfaces. The bathroom is one of those spaces that must be disinfected frequently because the surfaces there can shelter pathogens, leading the disease to spread. Chlorine, alcohol, and bleach are just a few examples of disinfectants.

4. When Should You Clean?

Surfaces that contain evident soils and residues should be cleaned. Cleaning is the one single procedure that will help eliminate soil from surfaces. You should always clean a surface before going ahead with sanitising and disinfecting. Cleaning gets rid of loose soils, which ensures the surfaces are prepared for sanitising and disinfecting.

If you fail to clean the surface, germs will likely hide under soils and hinder the effectiveness of sanitiser and disinfectant. As for how to clean a surface, make use of an all-purpose cleaner along with microfibre cloth. Spray the cleaner on the surface and wipe using the cloth. Finally, rinse with water to get rid of cleaning solution remnants.

5. When Should You Sanitise?

You should only sanitise a surface after you have cleaned it. Remember that a sanitiser cannot be used to kill all the bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It can only reduce the count, which is something to keep in mind when you are sanitising a surface.

Basically, you have to sanitise the high-touch areas that do not require 100% disinfection. This includes things like keyboards, desks, tables, etc. You should only sanitise a surface when you are looking to reduce the germ count. Using this is best recommended in situations where the risk of germs that cause illness is low.

As for application, just spray the sanitiser on the surface. Let it sit there for a while, according to the label’s instructions, and then wipe it away with a microfibre cloth.

6. When Should You Disinfect?

Professional bond cleaners Sunshine Coast recommend disinfecting once you have cleaned a surface by using a cleaning hack or even if you did it without a hack. This is because the majority of disinfectants cannot clean soils from the surfaces.

So, firstly use cleaning agents before proceeding with using disinfectants. It is best to use disinfectants on spots where the risk of germs spreading is way higher than in other areas.

The level of risk will often be the deciding factor of how regularly you should disinfect. Usually, you should disinfect hard and non-porous surfaces that you touch often. This includes phones, doorknobs, faucet handles, etc.

Start with applying the disinfectant according to the label’s instructions and let it sit for the recommended time. Finally, according to the instructions, either let it air dry or use a clean cloth for the same.

A Complete Guide to Cleaning, Sanitising and Disinfecting

Wrapping Up

Understanding the difference between cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting is crucial so that you can make use of each product in the right manner. The information in this article will help you learn the major things that separate cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting.