What's the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting?
When it comes to the general process of cleaning, the terms "cleaning," "sanitizing," and "disinfecting" are often used interchangeably. While they all involve removing unwanted elements like dirt from your spaces, they carry distinct implications.
What Does Cleaning Involve? Cleaning is the most straightforward step among the three. When a service provider offers cleaning services, they focus on removing visible dirt, grime, dust, and other particles from your spaces. Typical cleaning services include: Vacuuming, Sweeping, Mopping, Wiping, Scrubbing. While cleaning makes your spaces visibly clean, it does not effectively eliminate most microscopic germs. Some cleaning services stop at this stage, while others proceed to sanitize and disinfect after removing visible debris.
What Does Sanitizing Achieve? Sanitizing aims to reduce the number of bacteria present but doesn't eliminate them entirely. It involves using chemical products that decrease the bacteria count to safe levels as defined by public health codes or industry regulations. It's important to note that sanitizing does not kill viruses. When a cleaning service provider offers sanitizing services, you can expect clean spaces that are considered safe but not completely germ-free. The provider should use sanitizing products registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Using registered products ensures that the sanitizing agents effectively target common organisms.
What Does Disinfection Entail? Disinfection goes a step further than sanitizing by employing products that can kill both bacteria and viruses in your spaces. It represents a higher level of cleaning but falls short of sterilization, which involves eliminating all microorganisms and is typically necessary only in medical environments. To ensure the safety of your surfaces, disinfecting services require the use of an EPA-registered disinfectant. For thorough disinfection, your cleaners should perform general cleaning of your spaces before applying the disinfectant, as additional debris can reduce the disinfectant's effectiveness on surfaces.
Do I Need Sanitizing or Disinfection? If you are deciding between sanitizing and disinfecting your spaces, the choice depends on various factors such as the type of spaces you have, the amount of foot traffic, and any specific cleaning requirements dictated by your industry.
Skyline Building Care
skylinebuildingcare.com
sales@skylinebuildingcare.com
800-407-1377
What Does Cleaning Involve? Cleaning is the most straightforward step among the three. When a service provider offers cleaning services, they focus on removing visible dirt, grime, dust, and other particles from your spaces. Typical cleaning services include: Vacuuming, Sweeping, Mopping, Wiping, Scrubbing. While cleaning makes your spaces visibly clean, it does not effectively eliminate most microscopic germs. Some cleaning services stop at this stage, while others proceed to sanitize and disinfect after removing visible debris.
What Does Sanitizing Achieve? Sanitizing aims to reduce the number of bacteria present but doesn't eliminate them entirely. It involves using chemical products that decrease the bacteria count to safe levels as defined by public health codes or industry regulations. It's important to note that sanitizing does not kill viruses. When a cleaning service provider offers sanitizing services, you can expect clean spaces that are considered safe but not completely germ-free. The provider should use sanitizing products registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Using registered products ensures that the sanitizing agents effectively target common organisms.
What Does Disinfection Entail? Disinfection goes a step further than sanitizing by employing products that can kill both bacteria and viruses in your spaces. It represents a higher level of cleaning but falls short of sterilization, which involves eliminating all microorganisms and is typically necessary only in medical environments. To ensure the safety of your surfaces, disinfecting services require the use of an EPA-registered disinfectant. For thorough disinfection, your cleaners should perform general cleaning of your spaces before applying the disinfectant, as additional debris can reduce the disinfectant's effectiveness on surfaces.
Do I Need Sanitizing or Disinfection? If you are deciding between sanitizing and disinfecting your spaces, the choice depends on various factors such as the type of spaces you have, the amount of foot traffic, and any specific cleaning requirements dictated by your industry.
Regular sanitizing services should be sufficient for your business if:
Heat: Exposing bacteria to specific temperatures can kill them and prevent their multiplication. However, the effectiveness of this method depends on reaching the necessary temperature, duration, and contact within your spaces. Ineffective heating methods can also lead to high energy costs.
Chemicals: Your cleaners should use EPA-registered sanitizing products to ensure that your spaces are adequately cleaned and maintain safe bacteria levels. These chemicals can effectively kill most bacteria and should be capable of eliminating the most common types.
Radiation: This method employs light energy, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, to eliminate microorganisms. However, UV light is only effective in close proximity to the light source and after prolonged exposure. Additionally, cleaning is necessary because dust and grease can reduce its effectiveness.
Types of Disinfectants: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several types of disinfectants:
Chemicals: This category includes substances like alcohol, chlorine, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acids, and other compounds. These substances possess germicidal properties that can kill most bacteria and viruses. However, diluting them below a 50% concentration can diminish their effectiveness.
Metals: Certain heavy metals, such as silver, iron, and copper, have proven disinfection properties. However, they are primarily used in the medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
Radiation: UV light can also be utilized for disinfection by inactivating microorganisms through the destruction of their nuclei. Factors like organic matter affect its ability to kill bacteria and viruses, and it is commonly applied in medical spaces to address airborne and surface pathogens.
Achieve the Highest Level of Protection with Skyline Cleaning & Disinfecting to ensure the safety of your commercial and office spaces against bacteria and viruses, regular protection is necessary. In addition to maintaining visual cleanliness, you require services that keep you, your staff, and your customers safe. By availing reliable cleaning and disinfecting services, you can enjoy secure spaces that support the continuity of your business. Contact us today to receive a free quote on our comprehensive services.
- You aim to prevent the spread of bacteria that cause common illnesses like food poisoning, skin infections, urinary tract infections, etc.
- Your spaces predominantly consist of hard non-porous surfaces.
- You have specific high-touch surfaces that can be routinely sanitized.
- Your business involves handling raw and cooked food, or you have areas like a pantry, mini-kitchen, or break room in your office.
- Your business operates in an industry with health code requirements that necessitate disinfection.
- You cater to small children, such as daycares or locations with diaper-changing stations.
- Your spaces deal with bodily fluids like urine, fecal matter, blood, etc.
- Your areas have been exposed to individuals with viral conditions.
- Your business handles raw and cooked food.
Heat: Exposing bacteria to specific temperatures can kill them and prevent their multiplication. However, the effectiveness of this method depends on reaching the necessary temperature, duration, and contact within your spaces. Ineffective heating methods can also lead to high energy costs.
Chemicals: Your cleaners should use EPA-registered sanitizing products to ensure that your spaces are adequately cleaned and maintain safe bacteria levels. These chemicals can effectively kill most bacteria and should be capable of eliminating the most common types.
Radiation: This method employs light energy, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, to eliminate microorganisms. However, UV light is only effective in close proximity to the light source and after prolonged exposure. Additionally, cleaning is necessary because dust and grease can reduce its effectiveness.
Types of Disinfectants: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several types of disinfectants:
Chemicals: This category includes substances like alcohol, chlorine, formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acids, and other compounds. These substances possess germicidal properties that can kill most bacteria and viruses. However, diluting them below a 50% concentration can diminish their effectiveness.
Metals: Certain heavy metals, such as silver, iron, and copper, have proven disinfection properties. However, they are primarily used in the medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
Radiation: UV light can also be utilized for disinfection by inactivating microorganisms through the destruction of their nuclei. Factors like organic matter affect its ability to kill bacteria and viruses, and it is commonly applied in medical spaces to address airborne and surface pathogens.
Achieve the Highest Level of Protection with Skyline Cleaning & Disinfecting to ensure the safety of your commercial and office spaces against bacteria and viruses, regular protection is necessary. In addition to maintaining visual cleanliness, you require services that keep you, your staff, and your customers safe. By availing reliable cleaning and disinfecting services, you can enjoy secure spaces that support the continuity of your business. Contact us today to receive a free quote on our comprehensive services.
Skyline Building Care
skylinebuildingcare.com
sales@skylinebuildingcare.com
800-407-1377
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