Hygiene standards: The differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting

Understanding the distinctions between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting is essential for effective household hygiene. For most healthy households, routine cleaning is sufficient for daily maintenance.

Cleaning involves using soap, detergent, and water to physically remove dirt, food particles, and many germs from surfaces. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), removing visible residue is a necessary first step, as dirt can prevent sanitizing or disinfecting chemicals from effectively reaching and killing germs.

Sanitizing, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reduces bacteria on surfaces to levels considered safe by public health standards, though it is not intended to kill viruses. Disinfectants are specifically tested to kill bacteria and viruses. Disinfection is typically reserved for situations involving illness, specific contamination events, or households with immunocompromised individuals.