The Difference Between Sanitization and Disinfection

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

Pathogens can cause sickness when people are exposed to them. The best way to prevent this is to either sanitize or disinfect.

In our current time many people are frantically searching for any way to stay safe and healthy. In some ways this is a good thing. However, stockpiling hand sanitizer is not necessarily the best thing to do, nor economical with inflation hitting many products such as N-95 masks, bulk sanitizer, and even toilet paper.

While the terms sanitization and disinfection are often used interchangeably there are some key differences to note. Sanitizing in general is going to be a less harsh or invasive cleaning which will target common areas such as countertops, doorknobs, and appliances. The goal with sanitization is merely to lower the germ count. However, in the case of disinfection there is a more comprehensive and overall cleaning which targets to kill almost 100% of the germs within a residence.

Based on this information one should know the difference between the two and decide on which is right for them. Both have their benefits. Sanitization is going to be cheaper and quicker whereas complete disinfection can be more costly and take more time. Depending on the situation and one’s personal preferences sanitization or disinfection can both be viable options. An additional thing to consider is that a sanitization or even disinfection will only kill pathogens at the time of cleaning. As soon as another person enters the building, there is a chance for recontamination. Therefore, this is one other aspect to consider. In order to prevent this property owners should take extra precautions with spot cleaning and screening procedures at the entrance to limit this risk.

If you find yourself in a scenario where you would like sanitization or disinfection for your home, commercial space, or school give SERVPRO® of Santa Clarita Valley a call at (661) 296-4600.