The terms sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning seem to be used interchangeably, but in reality, they are all different. You might have noticed that some of our color charts distinguish between acceptable levels of sanitizing solutions and acceptable levels of disinfecting solutions. If you’re not sure what type of solution you’re using, fear not. We’re going to help clear the air between sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning.
US EPA Definitions
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the following are standard definitions of clean, sanitize, and disinfect:
Clean – The process that physically removes debris from the surface or area by scrubbing, washing, and rinsing. It may be accomplished with soap or detergent and water.
Sanitize – A product that kills 99.9% of germs identified on its label. Sanitizers are used to reduce, but not necessarily eliminate microorganisms from the inanimate environment levels considered safe as determined by public health codes or regulations.
Disinfect – A product that kills nearly 100% of germs identified on its label. Disinfectants are used on hard inanimate surfaces and objects to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi and bacteria, but not necessarily their spores. There are two major types of disinfectants: hospital and general use. Hospital disinfectants are the most critical to infection control while general disinfectants are typically used in households, swimming pools, and water purifiers.
Yes, sanitizing and disinfecting are VERY similar, but still, not exactly the same. The EPA lists more specific and technical details regarding the guidelines for sanitizers and disinfectants, but they go into far more detail than users generally need.
EPA Registered Products
The EPA tests products to determine whether or not they kill germs, and only products with EPA registration numbers on the label can make public health claims. If a product is not registered as a sanitizer or disinfectant with the EPA, it can only be trusted to clean and not to kill germs.
If you are using a product that has been registered with the EPA, you can visit the EPA’s website, enter the registration number, and view details about the product. Below the details, you will find a PDF with the date the product was registered by the EPA. If there is a list, the PDF at the top of the list will show the most recent approval.
If you click on the most recently approved PDF to open it, you can then scroll down to the section that shows the direction for using the product as a sanitizer or disinfectant.
To sum it up, be sure you’re using the right cleaning product for the right use. If you have any further questions about the product, refer to the contact information printed on the product’s label.
We’ve got some great tips from industry experts coming to the blog, including tips on sanitation/disinfection in daycare centers, hospitals, restaurants, and more. Stay tuned!
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