Keeping your home as clean as possible is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle.
When it comes to sanitization vs disinfection, how can you tell the difference between these two common cleaning terms?
While these two words seem to be interchangeable, they actually have very different meanings. Read on to learn more about the different levels of clean so that you can be sure your home is as clean and germ-free as possible.
The Danger of Germs
Germs and bacteria are famous for spreading diseases. In your home, they’re lurking on just about every surface. These tiny particles can be anywhere in your home including on countertops, tables, and even in the air and water.
When you touch something that has germs on it, those germs can spread onto your skin and even get inside your body. Not all germs are dangerous, but some can have serious health consequences.
Daily cleaning of household surfaces is a good start, but it won’t be as effective as sanitization or disinfection. But it’s still important to keep your home as clean as possible by wiping down the surfaces you touch every day.
The act of cleaning removes dirt, dust, crumbs, and other particles from the surfaces in your home and from common objects. Most of the time, you’ll likely use soap or a common household cleaner and a cloth or sponge to get the job done. This is a good start, but it won’t actually kill the germs and bacteria that are lurking.
One way to keep yourself safe from disease is by washing your hands as often as possible. It’s still crucial that the surfaces throughout your home are thoroughly disinfected. This will provide you with the level of protection you need against viruses and other illnesses.
Sanitization vs Disinfection: What’s the Difference?
Cleaning your home is an easy way to get rid of dirt and grime. You’ll want to do more if your goal is to fight against a possible bacterial infection or other health problems.
When you choose sanitization, it can involve cleaning, disinfecting, or both. The goal is to lower the number of germs and bacteria to a reasonable level. The process of sanitizing and what a safe level of germs are will depend on current guidelines per the CDC or other public health organizations.
For example, you wouldn’t sanitize your home as thoroughly as a school or restaurant might. Something as simple as wiping down the remote control with an antibacterial wipe is considered sanitizing it rather than just cleaning it with a dust rag.
The act of disinfection uses chemicals called disinfectants to help kill germs and bacteria on the surfaces and objects in your home. Bleach and some alcohol solutions are both common choices that you can use to disinfect a variety of things at home.
In order for disinfection to be effective, the disinfectant solution should be left on the surface for an allotted amount of time. This allows the solution to do its job as it kills the germs.
Keep in mind that disinfecting your home doesn’t always mean that it’s cleaning dirty areas of the home. The goal is to eradicate bacteria and germs so that you don’t need to worry about spreading or catching diseases.
Using the Right Products and Services
To keep your home clean and safe, you need to know which products and services are best for you. If your home is cluttered or a bit dusty, regular housecleaning should do the trick.
If you’re worried about germs or really want to keep certain rooms like the bathroom clean, consider sanitization. This will ensure that germs are kept to a reasonable level so that you’ll have peace of mind.
Disinfection comes into play when you’re worried about a bacterial infestation or you live with someone who has a compromised immune system. The EPA has developed a list of acceptable disinfecting products as a guide.
Anything certified by the EPA is confirmed to be highly effective at killing common pathogens. The right disinfecting products should be able to not just sanitize surfaces, but also kill almost all of the germs that are lurking there.
When it comes to sanitization vs disinfection, it comes down to the areas in your home that need the most attention. For example, a nonporous surface like kitchen countertops, toilets, and faucet handles should be disinfected often. High-touch surfaces like light switches and door handles should be fine with regular sanitization.
Keeping dirt and dust off at bay is just the first step in having a clean home. Utilizing the right sanitization and disinfection services and products will serve to make sure that any bacteria and germs are eliminated.
No matter what products you use, always make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s directions. Never mix bleach with ammonia, and be careful using these products around people with asthma or other respiratory issues. Talk to a professional cleaning company that can help you sanitize and disinfect your home.
Say Hello to a Safe Home
Once you understand the differences between sanitization vs disinfection, you can rest easy knowing that your home is clean and germ-free. Always use the right products to kill germs and keep the surfaces in your home safe from bacterial infestation.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your home spotless and safe, be sure to contact us today to find out more about our services and how we can help.
