Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting: Understanding the Differences

Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are terms commonly used interchangeably to describe the process of removing contaminants from surfaces and objects. However, each of these terms has a distinctly different meaning.

Cleaning

• Cleaning describes the process of removing soil or residue from a particular surface, often through the use of soap products and detergents. The debris and cleansing product are then rinsed away with water.

Sanitizing

• Sanitizing refers to the process of removing potentially harmful microorganisms (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) from a surface or an object. Sanitizing can be accomplished using chemicals (chemical sanitizing) or very high heat (thermal sanitizing).

Disinfecting

• Disinfecting is defined as complete elimination of all disease-causing bacteria or pathogens from an object or surface. Disinfectants are frequently used in facilities such as hospitals where there is a high risk of exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses.