Germs are everywhere and its part of our everyday life. Some are beneficial, while others are harmful and cause diseases. Now, because of an increasing urgency to fight the spread of diseases like COVID-19, it’s important to understand the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
Some individuals confuse disinfection with cleaning or sanitizing. They are, however, not the same. Cleaning is the process of removing dirt, dust, crumbs, and pathogens from surfaces or things. When cleaning, you will most likely use soap or detergent and water to physically clean the surfaces and items. This may or may not destroy the bacteria. However, because you destroyed some of them, there are fewer germs that may infect you. On the other hand, Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces and objects by using chemicals (disinfectants). Bleach and alcohol solutions are two common disinfectants. To destroy germs, you normally need to keep the disinfectant on the surfaces and items for a particular amount of time. Disinfecting does not always result in clean surfaces or the removal of germs.
Moreover, cleaning, disinfecting, or both might be used to sanitize an area. Sanitizing implies that you are reducing the number of germs to a safe level. What is deemed a safe amount is determined by public health regulations or criteria at a workplace, school, or other location. Restaurants and other food-preparation businesses, for example, must follow sanitizing measures. What you do to sterilize may vary based on your needs. You may be cleaning a floor using a mop, a chemical, and water. You may sterilize the plates using a dishwasher. Alternatively, you may be wiping a television remote using an antibacterial wipe.
In this time of the pandemic, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are very important to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Other measures such as staying home when sick, covering nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and most importantly regular handwashing with soap can also prevent you from getting sick. It is also important to clean, sanitize, or disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often such as doorknobs, desks, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles, phones, and toys. Stay safe, stay clean and stay healthy!
- PNFP Rowence F. Zorilla, RND
References:
1. Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing
https://medlineplus.gov/cleaningdisinfectingandsanitizing.html
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
