What's The Difference Between Sanitizing And Disinfecting?

It is more crucial than ever to keep a clean and healthy environment in today's world. Still, a lot of people get confused between the terms "sanitizing" and "disinfecting." It's important to know the distinctions between these two cleaning methods if you want to clean effectively, especially in homes and businesses. We will discuss the differences between disinfecting and sanitizing in this blog post, along with how Sparkly Maid Miami can help you with your cleaning requirements. 

What is Cleaning?

It's important to know what cleaning involves before sanitizing and disinfecting. Cleaning is the physical act of utilizing soap, water, and a cloth or mop to remove dirt, dust, and pollutants from surfaces. Cleaning does not always eliminate germs, even when it does remove visual dirt. Nonetheless, as it gets surfaces ready for sanitizing or disinfecting, it's an essential first step in the cleaning procedure.

What Does Sanitizing Mean?

Sanitizing is the process of bringing a surface's germ count down to a level that complies with public health regulations. Typically, this procedure calls for the use of a sanitizer—a product made expressly to reduce the amount of bacteria. Because they are safer to use on surfaces that come into contact with food than disinfectants, cleaners are frequently employed in food service situations.


Sanitizing is necessary in areas like bathrooms and kitchens and is an efficient daily cleaning solution. It's crucial to remember that sanitizing does not completely eradicate all bacteria, especially viruses. As such, although it is an essential component of keeping things clean, it could not be enough in circumstances requiring a higher degree of germ eradication. 

Understanding Disinfecting

Using chemicals to eradicate a wider variety of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, is known as disinfecting. Strong chemicals called disinfectants are intended to get rid of bacteria from hard, non-porous surfaces. They need to be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).


Prior to disinfecting, surfaces need to be thoroughly cleansed to get rid of organic matter and grime, as these can hinder the disinfectant's effectiveness. To make sure the disinfectant completely destroys the germs, apply it after washing and let it sit for the designated contact time. Particularly crucial is this procedure in high-touch locations like light switches, countertops, and doorknobs. 

Key Differences Between Sanitizing and Disinfecting

  1. Goal:

  • Sanitizing brings the germ count down to acceptable levels.

  • Disinfecting eliminates a broader variety of microbes.

  1. Use:

  • Sanitizers are frequently used in places where harsh chemicals cannot be used to control bacteria and on surfaces that come into contact with food.

  • In environments like hospitals and other places where a higher standard of germ control is necessary, disinfectants are utilized.

  1. Efficiency:

  • It's possible that certain bacteria, especially viruses, survive sanitization.

  • The goal of disinfecting is to eliminate a wider range of microorganisms, including viruses. 

When to Use Each Method

Effective cleaning requires knowing when to disinfect and when to sanitize. Sanitizing may be adequate for routine cleaning in low-risk areas, such as home kitchens. Nonetheless, cleaning is crucial to stopping the spread of disease in high-risk settings like hospitals or during flu season.

For instance, it is preferable to disinfect surfaces rather than only sterilize them when a sickness has occurred in your home. This guarantees that any remaining viruses are successfully eradicated. 

Sparkly Maid Miami: Your Partner in Disinfecting Cleaning

At Sparkly Maid Miami, we are experts in deep cleaning services customized to your requirements as well as disinfecting cleaning. Our skilled staff is aware of how critical it is to employ the proper cleaning techniques in order to maintain a secure and hygienic atmosphere.

Our deep cleaning service targets germs and hidden debris in difficult-to-reach locations, going beyond simple surface cleaning. We guarantee a complete clean without using any dangerous chemicals by using eco-friendly cleaning supplies that are suitable for your family and pets. Sparkly Maid Miami will assist you whether you need a complete disinfection or a weekly cleaning. 

Conclusion

It is essential to know the distinction between disinfection and sanitizing in order to keep a clean and healthy atmosphere. Disinfecting kills a wider variety of diseases than sanitizing, which merely brings the number of germs down to a safe level. Using each method at the appropriate time will help you get the most out of your cleaning regimen.

Get in touch with Sparkly Maid Miami right now if you're searching for trustworthy and knowledgeable cleaning services. Our staff is prepared to help you with all of your deep cleaning and disinfecting cleaning requirements so that your house is clean, tidy, and safe.  

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