To start, let’s take a look at the definition of sanitize and disinfect according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: “Clean is the basic English word ‘to rid of dirt or impurities.’ Sanitize derives from the Latin word for ‘healthy’ and brings the idea of sterilization needed in medical environments and disinfect usually means to kill germs by chemical means.” In today’s Covid l9 pandemic world, it is important to understand how each form of cleaning is accomplished.
Cleaning is done on a regular basis at home and in commercial settings. It is usually accomplished using water with soap and or detergents, and sometimes hot water is advisable. A thorough cleaning will remove organic matter and dirt from the surface of what is being cleaned. Unless the cleaning product used states it would sanitize and or disinfect, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) does not regulate the cleaning product.
Disinfecting takes place when chemicals are used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces. In these cases, the EPA does regulate the chemicals used in the disinfecting product. If you are concerned about which disinfecting products are safe to use and will indeed truly disinfect, you can go online and research at https://www.epa.gov/listn.
Sanitizing kills only bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not designed to kill viruses. The EPS regulates sanitizing products. Sometimes a product will be formulated to disinfect as well as sanitize.
As would be expected, surface disinfecting products are tested more thoroughly than sanitizing products. COVID 19 has made the need for disinfecting surfaces a huge requirement in the field of residential and commercial cleaning, so the EPA has set high standards to ensure the products advertising the eradication of COVID l9 virus are reliable. Whether you do your own cleaning or use the services of professional cleaners, you must be careful to check out the cleaning products being used to make sure they will do the job expected. If you use a professional cleaning service, don’t hesitate to ask what chemicals they use in their sanitizing and disinfecting products. Then, go online and check the chemical out for EPA rating. When it comes to health, it is wise to take all precautions to ensure the best results.
If you live in Ocala, Florida, or surrounding areas, including The Villages, Gainesville, or Orlando, the professional cleaning services of Cassie’s Meticulous Touch have been carefully and thoroughly cleaning homes and commercial buildings for over 20 successful years. Her cleaning teams use well-established products and are very meticulous when it comes to eliminating the COVID 19 virus. To find out more about her services, you can visit her website at Cassie’s Meticulous Touch. You can also call her office at (352)216-0513 if you have any questions and to make an appointment for a free estimate.
