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The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
In the cleaning industry, terms like "cleaning," "sanitizing," and "disinfecting" are frequently used to describe the tasks performed by cleaning workers. Despite their common usage, these terms are often incorrectly interchanged, leading to confusion. Each term has a distinct meaning and should not be used interchangeably.
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So, what do these words mean? What's the difference between them, and why is it important to use them correctly?
Cleaning
Cleaning involves removing dirt, grime, organic matter, and other impurities from surfaces and objects using chemicals, tools, or equipment. It uses cleaning chemicals and water to physically remove dirt and germs with tools like microfiber wipes, rags, dusters, or scrubbing pads, and equipment like no-touch cleaning caddies, autoscrubbers, and carpet extractors.
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Sanitizing
Sanitizing involves killing bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It reduces germs left after cleaning to safe levels as per public health standards, inactivating at least 99.9% of germs on surfaces and 99.999% on food contact surfaces.
Disinfecting
Disinfecting involves killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi on surfaces using chemicals. It is more effective than sanitizing, reducing 99.9999% of germs, bacteria, viruses, and fungi on a surface.
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99.9% or 99.9999%?
Understanding Log Reductions
When we say that 99.9999% of the germs are inactivated, what do we mean?
Logarithmic (log) reduction is the standard used to quantify disinfection by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The EPA guidelines for disinfectants require a 6-log reduction in germs, bacteria, viruses, and fungi (pathogens) in less than 10 minutes in order to claim disinfection. As referenced above, the guidelines for sanitizers are less than for disinfectants.
A log reduction correlates to a 10-fold reduction in pathogens from the amount present to start – and typically when measuring log reduction, there are 1,000,000 colony forming units (CFUs) of a pathogen to start. The following chart illustrates the difference between a 3-log (99.9%) and 6-log (99.9999%) reduction in pathogens, and displays the efficacy of the ascending log reductions:
| Log Reduction | Number of CFUs Remaining | Percentage of Reduction |
| 0-log | 1,000,000 | 0% |
| 1-log | 100,000 | 90% |
| 2-log | 10,000 | 99% |
| 3-log | 1,000 | 99.9% |
| 4-log | 100 | 99.99% |
| 5-log | 10 | 99.999% |
| 6-log | 1 | 99.9999% |
A Word from EPA
As referenced before, the U.S. EPA regulates products that make sanitizing and disinfecting claims, and their website offers the following helpful table to further delineate the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting:
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Action
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What does it do?
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Does the EPA regulate the product?
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Cleaning
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Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergents.
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EPA regulates cleaning products only if they sanitize or disinfect. Learn more about EPA's role.
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Sanitizing
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Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses.
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Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize.
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Disinfecting
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Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.
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Yes, EPA registers products that disinfect. To find disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
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Using hand sanitizer
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Using hand sanitizer kills pathogens on the skin.
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No, hand sanitizers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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In conclusion, there are important differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and your BradyPLUS Account Consultant can help you identify the right mix of products to help you keep your facility cleaner, healthier, and safer.
Want to Learn More?
Here are useful resources you can explore:
U.S. EPA
What’s the Difference Between Products That Disinfect, Sanitize, and Clean Surfaces?
