Cleaning vs Sanitizing: What's the Difference?

What is Cleaning? 

Cleaning is all about removing dirt and creating a more comfortable home. The goal is to make things look and feel cleaner without necessarily addressing the invisible germs and pathogens that may still be there. When you clean, you're usually using soap, water, or some other products for cleaning in order to remove: 

• Dirt
• Food particles
• Grease stains
• Dust
• Hair
• Germs

You're still able to remove some germs while you're cleaning through the scrubbing action of soap and water. However, you won't be able to remove all of them. Cleaning is best for areas of your home where you aren't eating or spending too much time. 

Cleaning is also the first step for proper sanitizing. For instance, you wouldn't leave dirt and dust on a surface before you begin sanitizing! 

What is Sanitizing? 

Sanitizing is the next step after cleaning in order to remove the majority of germs and pathogens. When it comes to sanitizing, you're using specific chemicals in order to kill the majority of germs on the surface.

Some places like restaurants or hospitals will have standards in place in order to reduce germs to an acceptable level. When it comes to your own home, the techniques and chemicals you'll use will vary depending on your lifestyle and needs. 

For instance, it's common to use a dishwasher in order to fully clean and sanitize dirty dishes. You could also set antibacterial wipes next to the couch in order to wipe down the remote. 



It's also important to note that disinfecting is often an interchangeable word with sanitizing. However, companies will use the term "disinfecting" on products that are specifically formulated to kill germs. Sanitizing is any method you use in order to remove germs, such as using the dishwasher or hot water. 

What to Sanitize

Cleaning and sanitizing your own home can feel overwhelming–especially when you're trying to handle the messes that pets and children leave behind. Balancing the responsibilities of work, hobbies, and cooking can also leave little time for cleaning.



However, it's possible to keep a clean home without burning out! Here are a few rules of thumb to get you started. 

Food Surfaces

You'll want to regularly sanitize all surfaces that will come in contact with food. When it comes to silverware and dishes, your dishwasher can sanitize dishes without any extra product.

If you don't have a dishwasher, you can purchase a cheap tub and soak the dishes in a mixture of bleach and water for at least two minutes. You'll want to use two teaspoons of bleach per gallon of water. When you're done soaking them, air drying is preferable to using a towel that could be full of germs! 

Remember that soaking the dishes in bleach is done after you scrub them with dish soap. 

High-Touch Surfaces

It's necessary to disinfect (or completely remove germs) from any high-touch surfaces if a member of your household is sick. Here are a few of the surfaces you most likely touch often:

• Remote controls
• Doorknobs
• Faucets
• Light switches 



In order to be effective, you'll typically want to keep the product on the surface for a number of minutes before wiping it away. Make sure that you read the label for the manufacturer's instructions. These surfaces also need to be cleaned beforehand. Otherwise, a layer of dirt or dust will make the disinfecting power less effective. 

Sanitizing and Disinfecting the Smart Way 

Last but not least, it's important that you take some precautions when you begin sanitizing and disinfecting. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Follow all the instructions and warnings on the label
• Don't mix sanitizing and disinfecting products together (e.g. bleach and ammonia) 
• Use gloves to protect your hands from chemicals
• Store products out of reach of children and close them properly
• Don't mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar
• Don't use disinfectant wipes for hard surfaces on your body



Listen to your body when it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting! If you feel as if you need to turn away from a smell or leave a room, listen to your body's advice. Sanitizing an area isn't worth putting your health in jeopardy. 

Cleaning vs Sanitizing: Planning Ahead

When it comes to cleaning vs sanitizing, it's important to know the difference in order to maintain a clean and comfortable home. The difference between cleaning and sanitizing is especially important in areas of your home where you want to reduce the chances of infection, such as in the bathroom in the kitchen. 

It all starts with planning ahead. Decide what areas of your home you want to clean and sanitize daily, weekly, or monthly. Next, gather all the supplies you need in order to clean and sanitize and make sure they're only used for particular areas. For instance, sponges and towels used for the bathroom shouldn't be used for the kitchen!

Lastly, make sure to read the manufacturer's recommendations when it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting. Remember not to mix multiple products together, and wear gloves and crack open windows to protect your skin and lungs. 

Are you looking for an effective product that can clean, degrease, and reduce germs in an all-in-one solution? Take a look at our NANO CLEAN and degrease solution today at Purbloc for all your cleaning needs!