What’s the difference between cleaning and sanitazing?

During this time of pandemic, you see the words “sanitize” and “clean” wherever you go, whether you are going grocery shopping, looking up products online, or scrolling on Facebook. But what do these words really mean? And how are they different from each other? Let us find out below:

Defining The Term: “Cleaning”

By definition, cleaning is the act of removing dust, debris, and dirt from surfaces by means of scrubbing, washing, and rinsing. This can also include the act of vacuuming, dusting, and other procedures that effectively make any room or corner look and smell good. To clean, you can use a dry cloth with cleaning solvent, or a wet cloth with soap or detergent. Abrasive cleaners, acidic cleaners, and other cleaning products may also be used.

 

Cleaning is a great short term solution. While this does not thoroughly eliminate germs, it can reduce their numbers by cleaning contaminated sources. As a result, this can prevent infection in the area and keep everyone healthy and happy. We provide commercial cleaning in Prospect Heights. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

 

It may be a basic step, but cleaning makes it easier to sanitize any room or surface. On a different note, you may clean an area, but not properly sanitize it. This brings us to our next word: Sanitize.

Defining The Term: “Sanitizing”

Sanitizing is the act of reducing bacteria on any surface. Depending on a product’s description, you may sanitize floors, countertops, toilets, sinks, and other types of surfaces. Sanitation is one level higher than cleaning. This is especially required on surfaces that come in close contact with food. This can significantly reduce the growth of fungi, viruses, and other harmful bacteria.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a sanitizer is defined as a chemical that kills 99.99% of bacteria. Therefore, this reduces the bacteria to a safe level and lowers the risk of infection whether in your home or a public space. Sanitizing is commonly practiced in hospitals, school, work environments, and food services. For office cleaning services in Prospect Heights, call us.