The Differences Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting

We know cleanliness helps to establish and maintain a healthy environment, but what are the differences between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting services? And how do you know which type of commercial cleaning your business or organization needs?  

First, it’s important to understand how cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are different. They have different purposes and use different methods. Knowing how cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting differ can help you decide which one is right for your workplace. Professional commercial cleaners like Office Pride offer different services to help keep your workplace safe by reducing the spread of germs and viruses that cause illness. 

Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting 

What are the differences between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting? 

Cleaning  

Cleaning removes dirt, grime and other impurities from dirty surfaces and objects by physically clearing dirt and bacteria. That doesn’t mean it kills harmful bacteria, however, because it only removes what you can see. After cleaning, a surface may look good, but that doesn’t mean it is free of bacteria. 

Sanitizing  

Sanitizing reduces the bacteria and viruses on a surface to safe levels, which is particularly important during flu season and in the COVID-19 era. Sanitizing is usually accomplished with a chemical such as bleach or alcohol rather than soap and water. The sanitization of nonporous surfaces can remove 99.99% of harmful bacteria to prevent the spread of infection from germs.  

Disinfecting  

Disinfecting is the strongest option in the commercial cleaning toolbox. Disinfection doesn’t just remove germs, it kills them. Disinfecting kills bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, but it requires the use of different and stronger chemicals than sanitizing does. However, routine disinfection is the best way to keep employees and customers safe and healthy. 

Since spring 2020, federal and state guidelines on cleaning commercial spaces have evolved rapidly. Office Pride stays on top of these guidelines to help you choose the best service to keep your business safe, including disinfecting frequently touched areas, outbreak cleaning and disinfecting and electrostatic spraying, which is ideal for disinfecting common areas and hard-to-reach corners and crevices. Office Pride follows the highest standards and requirements for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting your workplace, using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved chemicals that help prevent the flu and COVID-19. 

Healthy Clean System 

Office Pride’s proprietary Healthy Clean System offers three levels of sanitizing and disinfecting services for customers eager to keep their workplaces safe and employees, healthy. Office Pride can customize any plan to meet a customer’s needs for both preventative and post-outbreak cleaning.  

You can choose the Healthy Clean System package that best fits your office’s needs:  

1. Healthy Clean, which cleans and disinfects high-touch surfaces throughout your workplace’s common areas 
2. Superior Clean, which not only includes the disinfection benefits in our Health Clean package, but also cleans and disinfects frequently touched surfaces in personal workspaces and offices 
3. Premium Clean, which includes everything from the other packages as well as deep cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting the hard-to-reach surfaces and areas in your workplace, building or facility 

Office Pride’s strict standards for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting can benefit any industry, from retail and office spaces to entertainment and event venues where people socialize and congregate. Office Pride also cleans, sanitizes and disinfects medical and healthcare facilities, industrial facilities, educational institutions, banks, government buildings, health clubs, restaurants, hotels and other workplaces. 

To learn more about the cleaning services Office Pride offers in your area, please check out our franchise locations and call your nearest franchise location to request a free custom quote for all your cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting needs.