Cleaning vs. Disinfecting/Sanitizing vs Sterilization
3/29/2022 (Permalink)
Cleaning vs. disinfecting/sanitizing vs. sterilization
When it comes to cleaning or disinfecting/sanitizing do you know the difference?
- Cleaning
- Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It doesn’t kill germs, but removing them, lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
- Disinfecting/sanitizing disinfecting/sanitizing refers to using chemicals (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectants) to kill germs on surfaces. This process doesn’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but killing germs on a surface after cleaning, can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
- Sterilization
- Sterilization describes a process of destroying or eliminating all forms of microbial life and is carried out in health care facilities by physical or chemical methods.
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