When to clean, Sterilisation and Disinfection ?

We've all heard the terms sterilisation and disinfection; but do you know the difference?

Many people outside of the cleaning, health and food industries use these terms interchangeably. You'll find that sterilising, disinfecting and cleaning mean different things in your home and workplace.

We'll explain the differences and tell you when you should use them in an easy-to-follow 1, 2, 3 system.

I. Clean

This would be level 1, which essentially removes visible and invisible objects and particles from surfaces. We clean regularly to keep our houses or workplaces ‘tidy’. Regular use of an all-purpose spray or warm soapy water is sufficient to keep surfaces clean and remove most bacteria. The point of cleaning is not necessarily to kill bacteria, but to keep surfaces tidy.

Please note that some general purpose sprays may contain a disinfectant, however, you must use the product in a different way to disinfect your surfaces than just cleaning them. We will explain this further in the Disinfection section.

II. Sterilisation

This will be level 2. It reduces bacteria, fungi and disease-carrying micro-organisms to safe levels as determined by public health codes and regulations. However, it does not necessarily eliminate them. It is said to kill 99% of bacteria if left on the surface for more than 30 seconds before wiping or removing.

III. Disinfection

This would be level 3. This type of cleaning destroys and/or prevents the growth of bacteria, fungi and disease-causing microorganisms. A disinfectant is a substance, such as heat or a chemical, that destroys, neutralises and/or inhibits the growth of disease-carrying micro-organisms. There are two types of disinfectants: hospital-grade disinfectants and general disinfectants.

IV. When should we disinfect?

Many areas of our homes and workplaces do not need to be sterilised, or at least not on a regular basis. Too much disinfection can actually have a negative impact on your immune system. However, there are some surfaces that need to be disinfected regularly, for example:

Kitchen: when cooking raw meat, it is important to disinfect surfaces that have come into contact with the harmful bacteria carried by raw meat.

Bathrooms: bathrooms are places where people self-clean, so you can imagine the bacteria and other particles left behind. It's important to sanitise high traffic areas.

When someone is sick: It is important to disinfect areas that have been touched by sick people in order to prevent family members or others in the workplace from contracting an illness.

PRO TIP: When someone in the home is sick, wear disposable gloves when cleaning, avoid shaking fabrics and linens, avoid putting anything in baskets or bins that could carry germs, and keep that person's utensils and supplies separate from others in the home. Examples include toiletries, cups, medicines, etc.

V. How do we disinfect?

It's important to know that general purpose cleaners don't sanitise, and if your product contains a sanitiser, read the instructions on how to sanitise rather than simply clean - there are two different ways to do this. When you need to disinfect, it's vital that you use the right products and tools for the job.

The job of a disinfectant is to kill. This may sound dramatic, but it has to find, attack and kill all the bacteria before it can be eliminated. This process cannot be done with simple spray and wipe methods. To sanitise, you must follow the following two-step process:

Step 1: Clean

Surfaces are clean before they can be disinfected. You must remove all grease, stains and dirt. This is where your portable multi-purpose cleaner plays an important role.

Step 2: Disinfect

As mentioned earlier, disinfectant doesn't work if you just spray and wipe it down, it needs dwell time. Spray the disinfectant well onto the surface (the surface should look completely wet) and leave it on for 3-10 minutes according to the product instructions. If you notice any dry spots, reapply! Then, wipe with a clean cloth . If you see streaks, rinse with a clean cloth and water.

PRO TIP: If this gets into your child's or pet's mouth, rinse with water first to make sure there is no disinfectant residue on it.

VI. What should I disinfect?

There is a time and place for disinfecting, but doing it often and everywhere is not the answer. Below are the areas we recommend you disinfect, but feel free to add other areas as you see fit.

1. Touch points

In other words, areas that are touched frequently. Our hands touch many things during the day, including our mouths and faces. As a result, they are often the transmitters of disease. Points of contact are a real focus of attention when it comes to disease prevention. Door handles, light switches, remote controls, sinks, toilets, telephones, etc., are all contact points. To sanitise these areas you can use wipes or sprays.

2. Electronics

This covers mobile phones, laptops, tablets, watches, keyboards, mice, remotes and more. These items are often overlooked. A survey by Deloitte found that people pick up their phones an average of 58 times a day. Imagine the germs and bacteria that would be present if they were not sterilised regularly. Wipes are often a good choice when it comes to disinfecting electronics.

3. Bathroom

Bathrooms have multiple touch points that need to be disinfected when illness occurs. Toothbrush holders, toilets and surrounding areas, countertops, sinks, light switches, and all soft surfaces such as carpets and towels need to be disinfected. It's a good idea to let patients use bathrooms that contain any germs that no one else will use.

Disinfecting a bathroom can be a lengthy process if done correctly, but it is necessary when illness is present.

4. Cleaning tools

During times like these, make sure your cleaning tools are replaced and cleaned more frequently. You can follow the care instructions by washing fabrics in the washing machine in warm or hot water mode - make sure you wash them yourself - and then put them in the tumble dryer.

Sponges, brushes and mops should be cleaned after each use, and porous materials such as sponges should be changed more frequently than usual if you suspect or know someone is ill. Soaking brushes and mops in warm soapy water after each use is sufficient - you can also air dry them in the washing machine. Always check the care instructions before any cleaning. Sponges can be heated in the microwave to remove bacteria.