Sanitizing, Disinfecting, Sterilizing - Is There A Difference?

9/6/2024 (Permalink)

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With school back in session, germ season is upon us, so we thought we would talk about these terms that are often used interchangeable by ordinary people. Sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing are three different types of antimicrobials. According to the EPA, antimicrobials are products that "destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi on inanimate objects and subjects." Let's dive into the differences of each term:

Sanitizing - describes the act of reducing bacteria on a surface. It is commonly used in kitchens and food preparation areas, and is the weakest type of public health antimicrobial.

Disinfectants - much stronger and will kill and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Some, but not all, types of disinfectants can kill viruses like HIV, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus varieties. They are most commonly used in the medical industry and should not be used on surfaces that come in contact with food.

Sterilizers - the strongest of the antimicrobial category. In addition to killing live fungi and bacteria, they can also reduce the spores that create new microbes. Training and certification are usually required to handle and use these products.

Hybrids - some products are combine sanitizer and disinfectant, which are useful when you not only need to disinfect an area, but also need to clean away material and residue that provide breeding grounds for new bacteria and viruses.

At SERVPRO®, we are fortunate to have our own chemist on staff to develop professional-grade products such as SERVPROXIDE. It is designed to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold on hard surfaces, and is also effective for sanitizing soft surfaces. It is formulated for everyday use because it meets the lowest toxicity rating approved by the EPA. It may be used around children, infants, pets (dogs and cats), and food preparation.

SERVPRO of Grand Blanc and SERVPRO of Lapeer have the training and professional-grade products to get the job done right. Calls us today, 810-664-1000