Does it matter whether you sterilise or disinfect while you clean, as long as it's clean? Experts from Fast Help, a leading deep cleaning service in Medavakkam, say that understanding the difference between sanitising and disinfecting is essential. Let's compare cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting.
Clean surfaces are organised, tidy and clean. All-purpose cleaners and soap and water are wonderful for cleaning surfaces. The effect of cleaning would be how your house looks, feels, and smells. While cleaning products help keep your home looking tidy, there are specific areas you should disinfect (or sanitise) as well. Only disinfectants or sanitisers destroy bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting have various uses.
Cleaning removes bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants but does not destroy them.
Sanitising lowers or removes germs from surfaces or things to meet public health standards.
Disinfection of surfaces destroys bacteria.
The link between cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting is like steps, with cleaning at the bottom and disinfecting at the top. Sanitising decreases bacteria and disinfection destroys the most dangerous viruses and germs. The process of cleaning removes dirt and odours, sanitising reduces bacteria, and disinfecting kills most viruses and harmful bacteria.
Disinfection vs. Sanitisation
Sanitisers kill 99.9% of germs on hard surfaces, according to the EPA. Disinfectants destroy 99.999% of germs on non-porous surfaces. Sanitisers are weaker than disinfectants.
Sanitising reduces surface microorganisms, according to the WHO. Disinfection is the safe treatment of elements rich in bacteria, such as human and animal faeces. Sanitation kills bacteria on surfaces or items to reduce the risk of infection.
Sanitising
Sanitising your home removes harmful microorganisms. Sanitise surfaces that come into contact with food and those that spread disease. Sanitisers kill bacteria and fungi to prevent cross-contamination. The CDC recommends hand sanitisers with 60-95% alcohol. For most surfaces, use a 60% alcohol mix.
Dishwashers, washing machines, and steam cleaners can sterilise some products and surfaces. The temperature must be above 170 degrees Fahrenheit to kill germs and bacteria on the equipment. Steam cleaning removes germs from permeable surfaces, including fabrics, carpets, and upholstery. Liquid laundry sanitiser can be used if your washer does not have a sanitising cycle.
Disinfecting
Disinfecting destroys germs and viruses. Sick relatives require a disinfectant spray. A good disinfectant spray should kill all microorganisms on hard surfaces. When used properly, disinfectants inhibit the spread of cold and COVID-19.
Disinfect high-touch areas to reduce the transmission of germs, for example: door handles, light switches, faucets, and cabinet pulls. To be effective, disinfection treatments must remain on the surface for a certain amount of time. The manufacturer's label will tell you how long to wet the surface.
Before disinfecting, clean dirt and organic debris. These can reduce the effectiveness of certain sanitisers, so cleaning is usually required. Use disinfectants sparingly to reduce the transmission of germs and viruses.
Excessive use of disinfectants is a major issue with the EPA. You should only use them as recommended. Disinfectants are more toxic, more expensive, and can spread "superbugs" than cleaning products. These superbugs are bacteria and resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants.
Sterilising
Sterilisers are stronger than sanitisers and disinfectants. Sterilisation is not something that most people do at home. According to the CDC, sterilisation destroys all microorganisms.
Health institutions often use physical or chemical sterilisation. Effective sterilisers include steam, dry heat, and liquid chemicals. Surgery and laboratories require considerable disinfection. Disinfection destroys dangerous bacteria, but not all of them.
Use of CDC and EPA-approved disinfectants
Knowing the difference between sanitising and disinfecting can help your family's health. The CDC and EPA are good sources to learn about cleaners, sanitisers, and disinfectants. The EPA maintains a list of authorised disinfectants, and their components, are active and have minimum contact times. CDC and EPA provide up-to-date advice on how to use these items.
Effective and Safe Disinfection
The proper use of disinfectants simplifies cleaning and health maintenance. Some safety tips:
Do not mix disinfectants and cleaners
Keep chemicals out of the reach of children & pets
Avoid disinfectants around children
Do not inhale disinfectant vapours or apply them topically
Do not disinfect pet bedding or toys
Wear gloves and masks
Only disinfect when well ventilated
Follow label directions for safe and efficient use
Use room temperature water unless otherwise noted
Frequent disinfection reduces the spread of germs. It is recommended to disinfect surfaces that are touched daily, such as desks, tables, counters, handles, knobs and pulls, thermostats/light switches, microphones, phones, headsets, remote controls bathroom accessories. Wipes may be more effective than spray disinfectants for the list above. Wiping a sanitised surface with a cloth or paper towel removes the sanitiser. When you let a disinfectant wipe dry, more organisms are killed.
When a family member has a contagious disease, disinfect high-touch surfaces more often. Make sure a disinfectant works against the infections you want to remove. Viruses are often spread through bathroom faucets. Wash sheets, blankets, and towels in hot water, and wash your hands afterward. By default, disinfectants can destroy both healthy and dangerous microorganisms. To keep your home and family healthy, know when to apply sanitiser and disinfectant.
For help with cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting your homes, get in touch with Fast Help, the best deep cleaning service in Medavakkam and other parts of Chennai. Call us now!
With Local Steam Cleaning, we ensure that no harm is done to nature, the environment, or to those living in their homes or commercial spaces. We only use eco-friendly products. In order to protect mother nature, ensure our clients' safety, and protect our cleaners, we only use environmentally friendly cleaning agents and solutions.
Cleaning time depends on the type of item you want cleaned. During the live assessment, our team will give you an estimate of how long it will take us to complete the task.
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