Clean the counter, sanitize the toilet, disinfect the sinks. In our everyday conversation, we often use the terms interchangeably, but in fact there are definitive differences in the words and their meanings.
When we are talking about SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the disease COVID-19, we must focus on disinfecting surfaces as the primary method of remediation for keeping people safe. Cleaning and sanitization should be used as supportive mechanisms to disinfection.
Disinfection = Kill
Disinfecting destroys or inactivates both the bacteria and viruses, primarily on hard non-porous surfaces (think countertops, desks, most walls, hard floors, etc.). Some disinfectants, such as the types that Disinfect Charleston uses, can also be used on porous surfaces and provide high levels of disinfection (based on manufacturers claims). You can look at disinfection this way, if you had 100 counts of live bacteria (or viruses) on a surface and then you applied a disinfectant, after completion of the dwell time, you would have 0 counts of live bacteria. In essence, you have reduced the load by 100%.
Sanitization = Reduce
Sanitizing reduces the viral, bacterial, and/or fungal load on the surface in which the sanitizer is applied. You can look at sanitizing this way, if you had 100 counts of live bacteria (or viruses) on a surface and then you applied a sanitizer, after completion of the dwell time, you would have 50 counts of live bacteria. In essence, you have reduced the load by 50%.
Cleaning = Remove… Kinda
Cleaning removes the viral, bacterial, and or fungal load on the surface, but primarily deposits it elsewhere, either on the cleaning medium (e.g. rag) or elsewhere on the surface. You can look at cleaning this way, if you had 100 counts of live bacteria (or viruses) on a surface and then cleaned, you would still have 100 counts of live bacteria on your cloth or in another location of the surface you cleaned. In essence, you have reduced the load by 0%.
Corona Isn’t King, Disinfection Is
In summary, disinfection is the way to go when you are looking to remove potential pathogenic health hazards in your home or business. Disinfect Charleston focuses on the your home or office environment and are safety and health experts. Disinfection is all we do!
Remember that you should disinfect – not sanitize – because disinfectants are the only products approved by the EPA to kill viruses on hard surfaces. The main difference is that EPA-approved sanitizers only have claims for bacteria, while disinfectants have claims against both bacteria and viruses.