Believe it or not, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting all mean different things to the experts. Let’s explore what these terms mean to ensure you’re doing your best to keep your employees safe. Soon you’ll be an expert, too.
Cleaning
Cleaning simply means to remove germs, dirt, and debris from objects or surfaces. Cleaning utilizes water and soap to literally move germs away. Fewer germs mean less risk of getting sick; however, cleaning does not kill germs.
Sanitizing
Sanitizing means to reduce the number of germs on a surface to a safe level as determined by public health requirements. Sanitizing is achieved by cleaning or disinfecting surfaces to help reduce the spread of germs from one person to another.
Disinfecting
Disinfecting means to kill germs on surfaces and objects by way of chemicals. First, clean surfaces with soap and water and then disinfect the surface with an EPA-approved household disinfectant to further reduce the spread of germs. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Just the Beginning
Frequent cleaning and disinfecting are critical to getting employees back to work safely. However, those are just a few components of a holistic plan to foster your employees’ confidence, safety, and well-being. Establishing social distancing by installing sneeze guards and staggering work schedules, properly restarting your water treatment system after a shutdown, and assessing your indoor air quality are just a few additional factors to consider.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.