When to Clean, Disinfect, and Sanitize Your Home
The kids are finally back in school and in no time they’ll be bringing home more than just report cards and permission slips. Yes, we’re talking about the dreaded colds and flus that seem to run rampant every school year. And while you may not be able to escape cold and flu season entirely, you can reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infections taking over your home with the proper cleaning techniques.
Read on as we break down the differences between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing so you know which techniques and cleaners work best to keep your home as germ free as possible.
Cleaning
The most basic of chores, cleaning removes dirt, dust, spills, splatters, and grime from household surfaces. Tasks such as vacuuming, doing the dishes, washing windows and mirrors, wiping down counters, and so on, fall into this category. The goal of cleaning is to keep a home looking – well, clean. Common cleaning products include:
- Multi-purpose cleaners
- Glass and window cleaners
- Dish soap and detergents
- Furniture polish
- Home-made cleaners
Disinfecting
Disinfecting destroys germs through the use of chemicals proven to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Any EPA-approved product marketed as a disinfectant must bear the EPA registration number which can typically be found near the bottom of the product label. This number informs consumers that the product will kill the bacteria and viruses specified. However, it’s important to note that a single disinfectant will not kill all germs so read labels carefully before selecting a disinfectant. Disinfectant products can include a variety of ingredients, including:
- Chlorine bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Formaldehyde
- Phenol
- Glutaraldehyde
Sanitizing
The process of sanitizing reduces germs on surfaces such as tables, door handles, remotes, phones, toys, and so on. If the word “sanitizer” appears on a product label, it must be able to reduce 99.9 percent of organisms in five minutes or less. The goal of sanitizing is to meet public health standards with a sanitizing wipe, gel, or spray. Sanitizing products include:
- Liquid sanitizers that contain no other cleaning ingredients
- Hand sanitizers
- Household cleaners bearing the term “sanitize” on the product label
When to Clean, Disinfect, and Sanitize
For best results, start by thoroughly cleaning a surface before disinfecting or sanitizing. This ensures that germs don’t linger on dirt, food crumbs, or spills. Remove any visible dirt with the appropriate household cleaning product, then apply a disinfectant or sanitizer following the directions on the label.
If you or someone in hour household has a bacterial or viral infection, the need to disinfect or sanitize will be greater. You’ll still want to keep your home clean, but don’t worry about cleaning every time you plan to use a disinfectant or sanitizer. For example, keep containers of disinfectant wipes around your home so you can quickly wipe down faucets, door knobs, cabinet pulls, appliance handles, remotes, and any other shared surfaces after a family member touches them. However, the CDC recommends waiting an hour or more before disinfecting so that airborne germs have a chance to settle.
The need to keep our homes as germ and virus-free as possible has never been greater. And here at Best Choice Plumbers, we have several ways to help you keep your home and family healthy, safe, and comfortable, including motion sensor faucets, touchless toilets, and much more. Contact us today for more information.