There are three words we are guilty of using interchangeably: cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. Although they are similar, they aren’t quite the same, and they should each have their place in our vocabulary and our cleaning regimen. Did you just figure out that these three words have a different meaning? Don’t worry. We won’t judge. Instead, we’ll explain!

Cleaning:

Cleaning gets rid of visible dust, stains, dirt, and debris. Although cleaning creates a healthier indoor environment by removing allergens and microorganisms, it does not remove pathogens or bacteria. Therefore, the risk of spreading germs and disease is much higher if your indoor space is not sanitized or disinfected after it’s cleaned. However, some surfaces don’t benefit from sanitation or disinfection. Low-risk and low-contact areas such as floors and windows are unlikely to carry pathogens. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about disinfecting or sanitizing these areas, but you should make sure they are free of dirt, smudges, and stains for a tidier space.

Sanitizing:

Sanitizing reduces the number of bacteria on surfaces, but it does not kill 100% of all viruses or fungus. Therefore, if your goal is to reduce the spread of illnesses, it is best to disinfect your surfaces rather than sanitize them. Sanitizer should be used as a replacement for disinfectant on surfaces or items that you don’t want coming into contact with powerful chemicals. These include children’s toys, cooking tools, and clothing.

Disinfecting:

Disinfecting is our favorite of the three because it is the most effective. Disinfecting kills all those pesky pathogens that make us feel sick. No one likes having a fever, a cough, or a sore throat. To prevent this, use disinfectants on high-contact and high-risk areas such as doorknobs, tables, light switches, and sink handles to ensure that viruses aren’t being spread amongst the people within your indoor space. We didn’t mean to get all scientific on you all of a sudden, but we thought we would clear up a common misconception we see regularly in our daily interactions and online. We hope you found this information helpful and use it to make your cleaning regimen more effective at preventing the spread of germs and viruses. If there’s anything we learned last year, it’s that viruses spread FAST. Let’s all take steps towards keeping everyone around us safe by educating ourselves on the proper ways to kill germs and bacteria. Do you have trouble cleaning or simply don’t have the time? Our Quick and Clean team specializes in cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. Call us today to give your business a well-overdue cleaning.