The Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing

Everyone wants a clean home, especially right now. But there are levels of clean, and we’re not just talking about decluttering vs. actually removing dust. We’re taking it a step further, as we want to talk about three things: cleaning, disinfection, and sanitation. 

These three actions often get put together as a single entity, but they are completely different, and it’s important to understand them when trying to remove germs and keep your family safe and healthy. Today, let’s talk about the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing, and when you should do each one. 

Cleaning

This one is easy; you do it all the time already. Cleaning is the act of organizing your home by decluttering the space, as well as wiping down surfaces, sweeping and vacuuming, or mopping the floors. Cleaning your home will make it look great, but it doesn’t always eliminate as many germs as other methods. 

Specifically, in high-use areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom, cleaning might not be enough to really get that peace of mind you deserve. That’s why you need other levels of cleaning. 

Disinfecting

Disinfecting is the act of killing germs on surfaces or objects. It works by using chemicals on those surfaces, often alcohol. You should disinfect your areas and surfaces after you clean them, as disinfecting does not always mean removing dirt or grime. It’s focused on the microscopic, in the form of germs and bacteria that could harm you or your family. 

Sanitizing

Sanitization is very similar to disinfection when it comes to the action you’re performing, but it’s different in the level of cleanliness. Sanitizing means lowering the number of germs on surfaces to a safe level as determined by public health standards or requirements. 

This process only works by cleaning and disinfecting areas to the proper level, using a variety of methods and cleaning agents along the way. It’s like the combination of the two previous methods to form a more powerful level of clean. 

Getting Started

So, now you know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. But what do you do with this knowledge? Well, you should start with the most high-use areas. Bathrooms and kitchens need to be disinfected frequently. The kitchen, specifically, can be disinfected and even sanitized once a day after dinner if you’re looking to play it as safe as possible.

In the bathroom, a good disinfecting is a great idea about once a week, to make sure grime and dirt doesn’t build up, as it’s an area of the home where moisture can easily gather. 

Let Us Help

We know you value a safe, clean, and healthy home. That’s where we come in. We offer custom maid services that fit your needs. With the same team member visiting your home or office each week, you’ll get someone who knows how to do it just the way you like. Contact Custom Maid today to receive a free quote.