Many people have a common misconception when it comes to cleaning the environment – be it a residential, business, or commercial setting. Cleaning is often seen as a complete package that can remove clutter, keep every surface spick-and-span, and ensure that there is no breeding ground for bacteria to spread.
That’s why people often hire general cleaning services, but sweeping floors, washing the dishes, or brushing off dust bunnies won’t be effective if your goal is to disinfect or sanitize. This begs the question: what is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and how does the knowledge make you a better cleaner?
Cleaning is often the first step to ensuring the environment is orderly and well-prepped for sanitation or disinfection. It’s the act of removing dirt – from eliminating visible soil, debris, allergens, microorganisms, to other organic substances on surfaces.
Cleaning can be done in many ways such as washing using a detergent, soap, or solvent, all of which can help minimize the number of germs on an area. It’s a vital step that paves the way for more crucial methods, making sanitizing or disinfecting more effective and long-lasting.
If cleaning is all about prepping the surface by eliminating visible obstructions and sullies, sanitation focuses on killing a significant amount of bacteria that can lead to risks of infection. Sanitation is crucial in industries that come in close contact with food, which is why sanitizers often kill 9.99 percent of bacteria to reduce health hazards.
Keep in mind that while it reduces germs and ensures an area meets the recommended bacteria level set by the public health standards, sanitation will not do much when it comes to eliminating viruses.
Known as the final and most important step, disinfection is the act of killing all disease-giving germs – from pathogens and other harmful microorganisms. Even with what looks like a dirty surface, disinfecting it can reduce the risk of spreading sickness and viruses-borne illnesses.
High-touch areas need disinfection the most, like faucet handles, soap dispenser levers, bathrooms, and public areas that can receive plenty of traffic.
It’s easy to think of cleaning as one big picture. However, understanding the different processes will help you make wiser decisions when choosing the best products and cleaning solutions appropriate for various surfaces.
Hiring a professional can help you ensure your business is always kept cleaned and sanitized with the right equipment, experience, and expertise. If you’re looking for office cleaning services in Medicine Hat to do the dirty work for you, we can ensure your organization stays germ-free to make it a safe environment for the long haul.
403-529-1760
info@cleanriteservices.ca