Before discussing the requirements for sanitizing and disinfecting a surface you must know the difference between these two terms.
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What Are The Requirements For Sanitizing And Disinfecting? – Difference between sanitizing and disinfecting
When it comes to clean a surface thoroughly three terms are very confusing, cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing. According to experts, cleaning is normally done on low-risk surfaces like windows and floors, etc. where the risk of transfer of viruses and allergens is very low.
But if the risk of transfer of allergens and infectious elements is high then the surface has to be disinfected. The surfaces that are frequently touched or shared by many people like doorknobs, and railing, etc. are required to be disinfected properly.
However, the surfaces that come in contact with food and other sensitive items should be sanitized to make them free from germs and bacteria. Sanitizing is not the proper solution for killing the viruses of infectious diseases like flu etc as sanitizers are not anti-viral by nature. Such surfaces should be disinfected to make them free from viruses
Things required for sanitizing and disinfecting
You may not enjoy cleaning your home but to keep your family healthy you can spend a few minutes killing germs from it. You cannot kill germs by using soap or detergent with water to clean the floors, windows, walls, and carpets, etc. in a normal routine. They have to be disinfected to kill the germs from them.
Similarly some items like countertops, toys, bathrooms, silverware, and dishes, etc. have to be sanitized after cleaning and removing dust and dirt from them.
But if the countertops, toys, tables or sinks are extremely dirty then they have to be disinfected after cleaning to kill germs from these surfaces.
So for disinfecting and sanitizing the surfaces to control the infection of communicable diseases, you will have to use
- Chemical disinfectants
- Chemical sanitizers
But you should use them carefully as they can be harmful to the children and elderly people if not used in the right concentration.
Precautions to be taken while using chemical disinfectants and sanitizers
You should be careful at every step while using chemical sanitizers and disinfectants like:
- While storing them their containers should be labeled properly
- They should be stored away from the reach of children
- The disinfectants and sanitizers in the spray bottles should also be labeled and stored away from the children reach
- You should not spray these products in the presence of children as they can be harmful to their eyes and exposed skin as well as when inhaled by them.
- You should take all the safety measures suggested by the manufacturers of these chemical products.
What Are The Requirements For Sanitizing And Disinfecting? – Things to consider while choosing a disinfectant
While choosing a disinfectant for disinfecting surfaces in your space you should know whether it can be deactivated or affected by hard water or organic products or not. You should also know about their corrosive nature and the residues left by them as well as their toxicity and their effect on your respiratory system, eyes, and skin. You should also know the shelf life of diluted disinfectants.
Some less toxic and effective disinfectants and sanitizers
- Bleach
Bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite or chlorine, is a very effective disinfectant as well as a sanitizer. It can effectively control the spreading of bacteria and other microorganisms when used in proper concentration. Bleach is available in different strengths. Normally it is used in almost every household in low concentration for the purpose of laundry. But for killing germs you will have to use bleach with a higher concentration than used in household laundry. However, it may not be suitable for the areas used for child care activities.
Bleach is an economical, convenient and effective disinfectant. On certain surfaces like rubber, plastics, and metals it can be corrosive so you should use it carefully. You should allow it to stay on the surface for at least 2-3 minutes before wiping it away.
Bleach can also be used in low concentration for sanitizing the eating utensils and dishes as well as disinfecting other smaller objects like toys etc.
- Some homemade disinfectants and sanitizers
You can also make some inexpensive, less toxic and effective cleaners, disinfectants and sanitizers at your home by using some of your household ingredients like liquid soap, vinegar, and baking soda. Though you will have to scrub the surface harder while using these homemade products still they are safe not only for you but also for all types of surfaces.
