What’s the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting?

The fact that germs are everywhere shouldn’t scare you. There are good germs that can be helpful for immune systems, but there are also bad ones that can cause disease. How do you make sure you’re removing harmful germs from your home in Livonia, MI? You might think that a simple cleaning gets rid of germs and reduces risk of infection, but there’s a big difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing.

Here’s how these general cleaning techniques are different and why professional cleaning services in Livonia, MI can provide you with the best level of protection against harmful germs.

Cleaning

In general, cleaning a surface or object involves removing dirt, dust, crumbs and other material. Cleaning is typically done with a soap and water solution and a towel or cloth to wipe the mess away. One thing to remember is that cleaning doesn’t necessarily kill germs, but it can remove them. By taking some of the germs from a surface or object, you reduce the risk of infection for yourself and others.

Disinfecting

When you disinfect a surface, you kill germs with chemical disinfectants. Common disinfectants you’ll find around the house or at a workplace include alcohol solutions and bleach. They’re typically applied to a surface and allowed to work their magic for a certain amount of time to kill germs. While disinfecting doesn’t necessarily clean a surface of dirt or debris, it does kill germs and reduces the risk of spreading infection.

Sanitizing

If you want to get a surface or object as germ-free as possible, sanitizing is the way to go. When you sanitize something, you lower the germs to a safe level. The exact criteria for a “safe level” depend on public health standards at a hospital, workplace, school, home, etc. What you do and what you use to sanitize depends on your needs. Are you preparing food on a surface, sanitizing dishes or mopping a floor to remove dirt and germs? You can use sanitizing wipes on surfaces like countertops or tables, a dishwasher to sanitize the dishes and a mop with eco-friendly chemicals and water to sanitize a floor.

When should I hire a professional cleaning service?

Many people don’t have the time to get to all surfaces around the house, which is why enlisting the help of professional cleaning services in Livonia, MI can provide you with peace of mind that your space is free from the harmful germs that spread infection. It’s especially important to rely on the professionals if anyone in your household has a compromised immune system, or if there are elderly people or very young children occupying the home.

Relying on the expertise of professional cleaning services in Livonia, MI to keep surfaces and objects in your home clean and free from bad germs can make a difference in your everyday life and keep all members of your household safe and healthy. Contact the team at Stay Clean Solutions today to learn more about how we can help keep your property safe from harmful bacteria.