There tends to be a lot of confusion about cleaning and sanitizing. Cleaning often makes people feel safe. Safe from dirt, debris and, maybe even, disease. But what about sanitizing? Is it just another word for cleaning? When it comes to dealing with biohazards, as well as water damage and mold, it’s important that you know the difference between cleaning and sanitizing.
Is There A Difference Between Cleaning And Sanitizing?
The common misconception is that cleaning and sanitizing mean the same thing. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth.
What Is Cleaning
Cleaning is the process of removing dirt and debris from any surface or area. You are cleaning when you dust a shelf or table. Even if you use soap, the end result is still just dirt removal.
What Is Sanitizing
On the other hand, sanitizing is the removal of most harmful contaminants like mold and bacteria. It will not kill all contaminants, but it will significantly reduce the risks.
How To Clean And Sanitize
One of the common misconceptions about sanitizing is that you can skip the cleaning process. The thought process is usually since sanitizing is better, why bother with cleaning. While this sounds logical, it’s flawed.
Sanitizers cannot penetrate through dirt and other debris. While the sanitizer may wipe away the dirt, that area wasn’t effectively sanitized. This could allow mold and bacteria to grow.
Start By Cleaning With Soap And Water
For the best results, start by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. While there are plenty of cleaning agents on the market, any mild soap will work. Dissolve the soap in warm water and wipe the area clean with a rag.
If there is a lot of dirt or debris, use a shop-style vacuum before using soap and water. Not only will it prevent you from grinding dirt into the surface, but it will speed up the cleaning process.
Then Sanitize With A Bleach Solution
In most cases, bleach is the only sanitizer you need. Mix 1 and ¼ cups of bleach in a gallon of water. While you can wipe surfaces down with the solution, it’s usually easier to apply with a spray bottle.
The spray bottle allows you to evenly coat every surface, making sure everything is properly sanitized. For the best results, allow the sanitizer to air dry and apply a second coat.
When You Need To Sanitize Your Home
While you should clean regularly, you don’t need to sanitize as frequently. To prevent food-borne contaminations, you should sanitize kitchen countertops and other surfaces once a week. Aside from the kitchen, you really only need to sanitize your home if one of the following events occur.
- Mold – If you have visible mold, you can clean it with bleach and then sanitize the area. However, mold is a symptom of water. If you don’t resolve the water issue, the mold will return in weeks or even days. Hire a mold removal company if you cannot address the mold issue yourself.
- Water Damage – As mentioned above, water can cause mold. Even after removing the water and making repairs, mold may live on or in surfaces. It’s best to clean and sanitize them to prevent it from growing.
- Severe Illness – If anyone in your family has a severe bacterial or viral illness, it’s best to sanitize your home. This will help prevent the spread of germs and keep the rest of your family safe.
- Blood – Always sanitize areas contaminated by blood after cuts or other wounds. However, there are limitations to blood cleanup and sanitization. Contact a biohazard professional if the affected area is larger than one square foot or involves a significant amount of blood.
Similarly to blood, bodily fluids and unattended deaths will require sanitizing. However, you should always hire a biohazard cleanup company due to the health risks associated with these situations.
Get a Free Estimate on Sanitizing Services
If you have biohazard damage, mold or water damage, our restoration specialists are here to help. For immediate cleaning and sanitizing, call 1-888-443-3110 for a free estimate from our on-call technician near you.
