What Does Sanitizing Do? The 11 Most Important Facts You Need to Know Now [2022]

I wrote this post to help you choose the right cleaning and disinfecting products for your home or business.

And to understand what does sanitizing do.

When I started my cleaning company, I was lucky to have a science background to fall back on when it came to choosing the right cleaning and disinfecting products for the business.

Just like you, I wanted to use products that worked but also were safe for my customers, their pets, our employees, and the environment.

Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the product labeling and advertising content for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products.

But every manufacturer wants you to think they have the best product. And they are really good at advertising.

So, even though it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the thousands of products out there, you can make better-informed, stress-free decisions when you understand the basic terminology around what these products do and don’t do.

Here are the top things you need to know about cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting

1. There are IMPORTANT differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting

The product labeling terms cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting all have specific meanings in letting you know what each product is meant to do.

Cleaning is the process of physically removing dirt. Cleaning, per se, does not necessarily kill germs, especially harmful bacteria or viruses, but can reduce their potential to spread infection to us, because we are physically removing them by wiping and or washing them (usually with soap or detergent) away from dirty surfaces.

Disinfecting kills germs. Disinfecting surfaces means to use a chemical product that will kill microorganisms.

Sanitizing means you are lowering the number of bacteria on a surface to a safe level as judged by public health standards.

This table on the EPA’s website also summarizes the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

2. The EPA regulates sanitizing and disinfecting claims

The EPA regulates labeling content, and this includes public health claims such as killing germs or having any antimicrobial action.

Disinfectants and sanitizers must be registered with the EPA. If you see the word disinfectant or sanitizer on the label, then the product is registered with the EPA.

Cleaning products are not registered with the EPA. They can not make any claims about killing bacteria or viruses.

3. Disinfectants have higher kill rates than sanitizers

• Disinfectants kill more types of germs, like viruses and fungi (mold) than sanitizers. A disinfectant’s effective kill rate is 99.9999%.
• Sanitizing lowers germ levels. And can only claim to kill or reduce bacteria at a rate of 99.9%.

4. What does sanitizing do? Sanitizers kill germs on more surface types!

• Disinfectants can ONLY make claims on hard nonporous surfaces
• For soft surfaces, the EPA introduced the soft surface sanitizing claim

5. Products can have both sanitizing and disinfecting claims

• It is possible to have a product labeled as a disinfectant that also has a soft surface sanitizing claim. This would have to be written on the label.
• Sanitizer claims are not limited to soft surfaces as sanitizers can also have a claim for hard surfaces. For example, a product can make a sanitizing claim for hard and soft surfaces but have no disinfecting claims.

6. Not all disinfectants are created equal

Disinfectant products must go through rigorous testing.

As part of the EPA registration process, disinfectant products are put through rigorous testing to prove their efficacy and measure toxicity. Disinfectant claims are always for certain microorganisms.

Disinfectant manufacturers have to list detailed information regarding efficacy claims and contact time for each class of microorganism for which the product is effective.

This typically includes the classes of bacteria, viruses, mycobacterium, and fungi.

The EPA also requires labels to provide detailed information on the product’s effectiveness against bloodborne pathogens including HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C

The EPA registers three types of disinfectants: Limited, General, and Hospital

All three disinfectants destroy or irreversibly inactivate certain microorganisms on hard, inanimate surfaces, and objects.

• Limited – must be supported by efficacy testing against either Salmonella choleraesuis or Staphylococcus aureus. Limited disinfectants are found mostly in household use.
• General – must be supported by efficacy testing against both Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus. General disinfectants are most often used in commercial venues.
• Hospital – must be supported by AOAC Use Dilution or AOAC Germicidal Spray efficacy testing against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa creates a biofilm and is difficult to eliminate.

7. A disinfectant’s “dwell time” is super important!

For disinfectants to make the claims they do, certain conditions during the testing must be met. One of the most important conditions of disinfecting processes is that the chemical must remain surface wet and in contact with the pathogens, on clean surfaces for a certain period of time.

This means the chemical has remained wet on the surface for some time. Contact times, or dwell times, typically range from 1 – 10 minutes.

Contact times will always written be on the product’s label.

8. Sanitizing and disinfecting are both important in public health

Sanitizers are often used to remove germs on food contact surfaces because they can contain less harsh chemicals in comparison to disinfectants.

“No rinse required on food contact surfaces” is a safety rating given by NSF International (previously the National Sanitation Foundation).

Sanitizing and disinfecting products that state “no-rinse required on food contact surfaces” category D2, indicate the product is approved to use in commercial or residential kitchens without the need to wash/rinse the area with water after application.

Also, look for a toxicity rating of class IV, as discussed in the FAQ.

9. The process is equally as important as the product

• Always follow the label directions on all of your products
• Never mix a cleaner with other disinfectants unless the directions say it is ok to do so
• Follow a cleaning routine to remove germs and dirt prior to disinfecting
• Use disinfectant wipes (instead of paper towels) for quick jobs to save time

10. Always read the product label carefully

Always read the product label carefully and thoroughly. Cleaning products, even though they can not make antimicrobial claims, can have marketing descriptions that will fool you!

Here is a real-world example of a cleaning product label that could be easily misinterpreted. I have made changes to the product name, but the descriptive wording is unchanged.

Big Jim’s Mold Stain Cleaner works on attics, crawl spaces, decks, concrete, and more. Big Jim’s is easy to mix and use. Supercharged by our patent-protected molecule, Big Jim’s removes mold stains with less chemical, less odor, and professional power.

It sounds like this product is claiming that it gets rid of mold, but it’s actually not. Big Jim’s product and process works to get rid of mold stains, not mold per se. This label is acceptable, by EPA standards, because the agency does not consider claiming stain (or odor) removal the same as claiming to remove mold organisms.

In other words, the language on this label directions is not claiming any antimicrobial activity.

Don’t get misled!

This is a cleaning product. Statements regarding stain and odor removal do not claim direct antimicrobial activity.

11. Fact-check marketing claims in third-party review articles

Manufacturers are restricted in the product claims they can make. Anyone who is writing a review article on the web is creating promotional material so they are held to the same standard.

But well-intentioned reviewers sometimes make mistakes.

Here is an example of where a reviewer gets it wrong. This is the first sentence in their blog post that describes their #1 recommendation for a “mold remover” product states “One of the best mold removal products is xxxx.”

When you click through to the product page we find that the manufacturer’s label is only making a “stain removal” claim.

Third-party review articles can be incredibly helpful, always fact-check the claims they make by reference checking the actual product label.

FAQ’s

Why are cleaning and disinfection important?

Cleaning and disinfection help remove and. Or kill germs on surfaces. While germs are around us always, some germs are pathogenic in that they can make you sick. And then, in certain cases, you might pass that infection to others.

By reducing the germs from surfaces (and other impurities) on surfaces and objects that we come into contact with we can lessen the likelihood of the spread of infection.

What solutions can be used to disinfect surfaces during the COVID-19 pandemic?

According to CDC guidance, use of diluted household bleach solutions, 70% or greater alcohol solutions, and the most common EPA-registered disinfectants are all reliable ways to disinfect, as long as they are used according to the manufacturer’s label guidelines. Be sure to use appropriate cleaning agents to prep the surface areas first, and treat high-touch objects like light switches and toilet handles.

What’s the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting to protect against COVID-19?

Sanitizers can’t make claims to kill viruses, and COVID-19 is a virus, as well as flu viruses.

Can I clean and disinfect at the same time?

Yes, in certain cases, we can clean and disinfect at the same time, but this depends on how dirty the surfaces are – the “dirtier” the surface the less effective the disinfectant.

So, what makes a cleaner a disinfectant? The short answer to this is that the product contains ingredients that remove soil and also have an antimicrobial effect, so they kill germs. There are many combination products that clean and disinfect. Because they disinfect, the EPA must register them.

The important thing to recognize is that disinfectants won’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces. And they always need to contact the germs to disinfect for effective disease control by helping to stop any potential spreading infection.

But, they cannot do this effectively if there is a barrier of dirt or grime in the way. The EPA requires all disinfectants to carry the following label direction: “For heavily soiled areas, a pre-cleaning step is required.”

Can I mix cleaners?

Never mix cleaners unless the manufacturer’s directions tell you it is ok to do so. for example, mixing ammonia cleaners with a chlorine bleach solution can cause deadly chlorine gas!

Which is better: sanitizing or disinfecting?

That depends on what you want to accomplish. For example, are you actively engaged in disease control by limiting an active spreading infection? Or perhaps you are looking to step up your game with routine cleaning or household cleaning.

What kind of surface you are looking to sanitize/disinfect?

If it is a soft surface, then you want a product that has a sanitizing claim, because disinfectants are only meant for hard surfaces.

If you care about treating hard, inanimate surfaces, then decide what level of hygiene you need. If the surface is used for food preparation and you want a disinfectant I’d recommend choosing one that is rated food safe with a Toxicity Rating of 5, which is the safest rating.

Is a 99.9999% disinfecting claim better than a 99.9% sanitizing claim?

For soft surfaces, the EPA introduced the soft surface sanitizing claim with a kill rate of 99.9% for bacteria.

That sounds great, but when compared to a disinfectant’s 99.9999% effectiveness it may not be, especially when the germs are more prevalent.

For example, if there were one million pathogens on a surface then theoretically only one hundred would remain if we used a disinfectant, whereas 10,000 would remain after sanitizing, with a much greater chance of repopulating the area again.

Keep in mind, as well, that sanitizers can not claim effectiveness against viruses, only bacteria. So they are less effective in disease control.

Can a product have both a sanitizing claim and a disinfecting claim?

Yes, it is common to find products that have disinfectant claims for hard surfaces and sanitizing claims for soft surfaces. It is important to read the labels carefully on these products so you know what you are getting.

I heard that disinfectants are considered pesticides. Is that ok?

Yes, it is a matter of how the EPA classifies the products.

All disinfectants are considered pesticides.

Why?

The EPA defines a pesticide as any substance intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest. Since viruses and bacteria are pests, it follows that both sanitizers and disinfectants are considered antimicrobial pesticides by the EPA.

Both are regulated under the Federal insecticide, Fungicide Rodenticide, and FIFRA Act.

Are hand sanitizers the same thing as sanitizers I’d use on a surface?

Hand sanitizers are a completely different product from a regulatory perspective.

Because they are used on the body, they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Disinfecting wipes, however, fall under EPA regulations.

What is a safety data sheet?

Every disinfectant has a safety data sheet (SDS). The safety data sheet (or SDS) is a great place to dig deeper into the ingredients, toxicity and environmental impact of any disinfectant. The SDS includes useful information on the chemicals in the product, as well as the physical, health, and environmental health hazards. The SDS also guides such things as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE, such as eye protection or wearing gloves), first aid procedures, and spill clean-up procedures.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that an SDS for every chemical product in use be readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area. The goal is to prevent serious injury from an accidental spill or splash.

Most people will never have the need or interest to read the SDS.

But OSHA requires service providers to make the SDS documents readily accessible to their employees while they are on the job, in case of an accident. OSHA regulations state the SDS needs to be readily accessible to employees.

It is easy to find the SDS for a product as many manufacturers make the SDS downloadable on their websites through a link on the product page.

Any time you have trouble finding the SDS just do a quick web search using the letters SDS with the name of the product and it almost always comes up.

Can I disinfect my house?

Beware of anyone who says they will “disinfect your home or office.” If someone tells me this, I always ask them to clarify what they mean. The answer they give goes a long way in helping me to understand if they will do a good job.

If you state you are disinfecting a room or space, you are saying that you are reducing the microbial presence in the room by 99.9999%.

It is more correct to say that I am “applying a disinfectant” to the area. This means I will use a product that, when used by following the manufacturer’s directions, will kill 99.9999% of the specific organisms listed on the label, as long as it comes into contact with those organisms for the appropriate dwell time. Knowing that I am aware that I also need to carefully follow the guidelines on how to use it properly.

See the difference? Now, the difference is huge. But I realize to a degree this could be my inner perfectionist coming out. You may be thinking, “who cares.” I am going to get my house disinfected. Someone will come in and clean it and use a disinfectant in my bathrooms. So, who cares what I say?

Sometimes it may not matter. If you are healthy and live in a typical environment where no sick people are coming in and out routinely it may not matter.

It is more likely to matter when the stakes are higher. When we want to make a space safe for a vulnerable member of the population, like the immunocompromised, elderly, young, or someone with a chronic disease.

It is always better to be as precise as possible when laying out the outcomes you will deliver, especially if you are a service provider, i

The EPA has laid out a clear framework for understanding the claims around the disinfectant products we use. We just have to take the time to understand and follow them.

What are Toxicity Ratings?

On a certain level, every disinfectant is toxic.

This is because a disinfectant’s purpose is to kill microorganisms, so they are toxic to those creatures.

But the EPA’s definition of a disinfectant’s toxicity is broader as it relates to its potential impact on the environment, animals, and humans.

If you are concerned about toxicity (and you should be) look for a product with a Class IV rating, which is the safest grade given and referred to as non-toxic.

As an example, household bleach is rated as Class I – the highest toxicity category.

Products with higher toxicity will have statements about the need to use personal protective equipment as well as any other precautions necessary for use.

Can disinfectants remove odors?

In certain cases, cleaners and disinfectants can help to remove odors, but not always.

Effective odor removal starts with removing as much of the source of the stinky stuff as possible, so a cleaner could help in this regard.

But the second step to effective odor removal is to break down and neutralize the remaining source of the odor.

Cleaning products will not do that. A disinfectant might, but not always.

An example of a common odor where a disinfectant is not likely to be helpful is the removal of a cat urine smell on a carpet. Cat pee eventually turns into uric acid crystals which combine with bacteria to give off an overpowering smell.

A disinfectant would kill the bacteria, but not impact the uric acid crystals so they would keep giving off the odor. This might make the smell worse as the water in the disinfectant hydrates the uric acid which accelerates the release of the odor molecules even more.

To permanently remove the cat pee odor, you would need to utilize a specialized product that breaks down the uric acid, so it no longer gives off a smell.

What is the difference between sanitizing and sterilizing?

When you sterilize something it means to kill all microbial life. An example of sterilization would be to put medical waste into an autoclave where high heat, steam, and pressure completely eradicates all microorganisms from the items. It is not practical to sterilize a house, room, or area as part of a typical infection control protocol.

Final Thoughts

Before you go looking for cleaning and disinfecting products or a cleaning service provider, be sure to define what it is you are trying to accomplish and for whom, because this will define what you need.

Perhaps you just want to improve the appearance and cleanliness of your office, a place where you’d typically expect the people to be healthy. The stakes here are lower because there is less likely to be a problem in the first place.

Conversely, the stakes are much higher if you need to make an area safe for someone more vulnerable to infection. Here you’ll also want a product that is not only effective but safe, so I would look for one with a lower toxicity rating. products that are effective and safe.

Either way, I’d want to make sure I thoroughly read the label to stay safe while also getting the stated benefits of the products.

You do not have to be an expert in infection control to make the right decisions.

But you do want to be clear on the outcome you want to achieve and who it is for, as this will help guide you in choosing the best products and methodology to get the job done right.