What is the difference between disinfect and sanitize?

Author: Prof. Dion Ortiz  |  Last update: Monday, June 23, 2025

Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses. Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize. Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.

Should I sanitize or disinfect?

Sanitizing reduces the remaining germs on surfaces after cleaning. Disinfecting can kill viruses and bacteria that remain on surfaces after cleaning. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading germs that can cause illness.

What comes first, sanitize or disinfect?

Use weaker bleach solutions or sanitizing sprays. Objects or surfaces should be cleaned frst before sanitizing. Sanitize objects and surfaces that come in contact with mouths (such as, toys, infant feeding supplies, countertops, and other surfaces that touch food). Disinfecting kills remaining germs on surfaces.

Does bleach sanitize or disinfect?

If used correctly, bleach reliably sanitizes and disinfects non-porous surfaces of common and harmful bacte- ria and viruses. It has a short killing time and it does not need to be rinsed since it breaks down quickly into harmless components.

What is the difference between disinfecting and sterilizing?

Sterilization is defined as a process that eliminates all forms of microorganisms, spores, and viruses through physical or chemical means. Disinfection, on the other hand, refers to reducing or removing pathogenic bacteria from objects in the environment to prevent health issues.

The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting, Sterilizing (Dental Infection Control)

Are disinfectant and sanitizer the same?

Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses. Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize. Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.

Is sanitize the same as sterilize?

Sanitizing should not be confused with sterilizing. While sanitizing reduces microorganisms to a safe level, sterilizing removes all microorganisms from an item.

Does alcohol sanitize or disinfect?

Health-care facilities with limited resources may not have access to a variety of hospital disinfectants, however, alcohol and bleach are acceptable chemical disinfectants if used appropriately. As with any other disinfectants, soiled surfaces need to be cleaned with water and detergent first.

Which disinfectant kills more bacteria, Lysol or bleach?

Answer and Explanation: Lysol and Clorox are both disinfectants that are effective at killing bacteria and viruses. While Clorox does have a higher concentration of its active ingredient, which is sodium hypochlorite, Lysol's active ingredient, hydrogen peroxide, also has its own set of benefits.

Is pine sol a disinfectant?

Yes. The 2X Concentrated Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner is registered with the EPA as a disinfectant when used as directed either diluted (1 cup of cleaner per ½ gallon of water) or at full-strength.

Does vinegar disinfect?

Vinegar has been proven to have some disinfectant properties, however it's not nearly as effective at killing harmful viruses and bacteria as commercial cleaners. And because it does not kill 99.999 percent of bacteria and viruses, it doesn't meet the criteria required to be considered a disinfectant.

What are the two ways to sanitize?

  • Heat Sanitization: Allowing a food contact surface to be exposed to high heat for a designated period of time will sanitize the surface. ...
  • Chemical Sanitization: Sanitizing is also achieved through the use of chemical compounds capable of destroying disease causing bacteria.

Does Lysol disinfect?

By using products like Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol® Disinfectant Sprays, you kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses living on surfaces and lower the risk for spreading infection.

Do you use hydrogen peroxide or vinegar first?

First, liberally spray the surface with peroxide and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping with a clean cloth. Next, generously spray the surface with vinegar, let it rest for 5 minutes and then wipe with another clean cloth.

Is alcohol enough to disinfect a toilet seat?

Alcohol wipes are effective at killing bacteria and germs and may be gentler on the skin than a disinfecting wipe. Wipe the seat thoroughly and dispose of the alcohol wipe in the trash. Allow the seat to dry before use.

Are Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes better?

Since the evidence supports that both products are equally effective of removing bacterial colonies, shoppers can save a pretty penny when purchasing their cleaning supplies.

What is the strongest disinfectant?

Ethyl alcohol, at concentrations of 60%–80%, is a potent virucidal agent inactivating all of the lipophilic viruses (e.g., herpes, vaccinia, and influenza virus) and many hydrophilic viruses (e.g., adenovirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, and rotaviruses but not hepatitis A virus (HAV) 58 or poliovirus) 49.

What kills germs better bleach or vinegar?

Bleach is great for disinfecting. A registered disinfectant, it will, by definition, kill 99.9 percent of germs that it comes into contact with, within five or ten minutes of contact. In contrast, the germs that vinegar does kill often need half an hour of contact to be affected.

Can you sterilize with hydrogen peroxide?

Both rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can be effective disinfectants, as they kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. You can use them on many surfaces in your home.

Why do we use 70 alcohol to disinfect instead of 100?

You can buy rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.

Is it bad to smell rubbing alcohol every day?

People should avoid inhaling large quantities of rubbing alcohol vapor, as this can have serious side effects. They should also avoid long-term use of rubbing alcohol on the skin. Drinking rubbing alcohol can cause poisoning and serious illness.

What is the difference between cleaning Sanitising and disinfecting?

Cleaning – removes dirt, dust and other soils from surfaces. Sanitizing – removes bacteria from surfaces. Disinfecting – kills harmful bacteria and viruses from surfaces. Sterilizing – kills all microorganisms from surfaces.

Should you sterilize or sanitize baby bottles?

Do You Need to Sterilize Baby Bottles, Pacifiers, and Breast Pumps? In short, YES! Sterilizing baby bottles, pacifiers, breast pumps, and any other material coming into contact with your baby's mouth or food can protect them from potentially harmful bacteria, one of the dangerous effects of not sanitizing baby bottles.

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