26 Mar Three Steps of Cleaning Explained

We all like to believe we know when something is clean, but ultimate cleaning takes more than just removing the dirt you can see. Indeed, cleaning away what’s visible is only the first of three important steps to ensure something is truly clean.

Step 1 – Clean

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Step 2 – Disinfect

Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Step 3 – Sanitise

Sanitising lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. Sanitising leaves surfaces in a state where germs cannot thrive. 

The need for 3 steps

The ultimate clean involves removing what you can see, killing the germs that you can’t see, and leaving the surface in a state non-conducive to the life of the germs you’re trying to eliminate.

As most of us know, cleaning isn’t a “do once and forget” activity. It needs to be regularly repeated to ensure surfaces not only appear clean, but are germ-free and safe. 

It’s important to understand all three steps of an ultimate clean before deciding on which cleaning products to use. Often products are designed to simply wash away what’s visible or maybe kill the germs that are there, but they don’t often achieve an ultimate clean. 

There are products available that perform all three steps, and while they are often more expensive than other cleaning products, these three-in-one solutions deliver real results. They also save time by combining three steps into a single activity and provide added peace of mind that surfaces are actually clean and safe upon completion.

Whatever cleaning products you choose, be sure to understand the basics of how the chemicals work to kill the germs you’re fighting.

For more information on how some of these chemicals work, see this article.