We hear the terms cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting thrown around all the time.
They are typically used fluidly and interchangeably. As professional janitors, we kindly ask you to stop doing that (please). We wanted to make sure that someone can distinguish these two terms to ensure that their clients or own space are the cleanest they can be!
First up, Cleaning.
Cleaning as defined by the dictionary is as follows: (noun) “the activity of removing the dirt from things and places” or as a verb “make (something or someone) free of dirt, marks, or mess, especially by washing, wiping, or brushing”.
It seems pretty straight forward – we clean a ton of stuff every day without even consciously knowing it. Brushing your teeth, wiping the counter after a meal, vacuuming the dog hair, and so on. In the janitorial world, this looks like wiping surfaces, vacuuming, mopping, and dusting. Cleaning is where you are interacting with particles, ones you can physically see. Dirt, grime, dust – these are what cleaning is meant to address.
Second: Disinfecting
With disinfecting, it takes cleaning to the next level. Disinfecting is defined as: (verb) “to clean something using chemicals that kill bacteria and other very small living things that cause disease”
A new dimension is introduced, the use of chemicals. The chemicals you use can range from vinegar and bleach to medical grade products (for example those used in operating rooms pre- and post-surgery). These chemicals are used to remove those particles we cannot see, bacteria and viruses that are not removed by a simple wipe or scrub.
Why does any of this matter? Cleaning is cleaning, right?
The short answer is no, the long answer is not even close. To provide or have “just cleaning” would be a disservice to your client or from your service provider. This is something a quality janitorial company would never skimp on, especially if cleaning in a medical setting. You must combine them to properly clean a space, personally or professionally.
At Garden City Janitorial, our process begins with our team cleaning first, removing debris both large and small with vacuums, mops, rags and scrub brushes. Next, we use our chemical of choice for the space (an office will not use the same chemicals as a medical center for example). But as with anything, it isn’t that simple. Chemicals are often misused, overused or improperly used. Sponges, rags, mops are often not regularly cleaned before use, which negates the entire purpose of disinfecting or cleaning. All of these considerations must be taken into account when disinfecting. The two, cleaning and disinfecting, need to work in tandem to provide the best quality of clean.
There are so many nuances that might surprise someone when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting within the commercial cleaning realm. Here is a few simple rules to follow:
- Both are not always needed! High touch surfaces, bathrooms, counters, desks are all cleaned and disinfected every time. Items like filing cabinets, blinds, bookcases, etc. need cleaned but not disinfected every time. We tend to leave disinfecting these to monthly or quarterly tasks, as they are touched but without any frequency (unless you really like filing).
- Know your chemicals! Check dwell times, which are the times needed for the chemical to “sit” on a surface before the full effectiveness is reached. Do not mix, or do your research before mixing, any chemicals. A little can go a long way, a whole bottle is not needed for one bathroom, just ensure you are looking at the product label for all this information.
At the end of the day, your janitorial service needs to include both cleaning and disinfecting. While one may not be needed every single area, every single clean – it still is an integral part of a complete janitorial clean.