Cleaning companies, product labels and health departments all use these three words, and they do not mean the same thing. Knowing the difference helps you ask for the right service and avoid paying for something you do not need.
Cleaning
Cleaning removes visible dirt, dust, grease and grime from a surface, usually with a cleaner and some friction. It does not necessarily kill germs, but removing soil is the essential first step, and it is what most homes need most of the time.
Sanitizing
Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on a surface to a level considered safe by public health standards. It is common in kitchens and food areas, where surfaces touch food. Sanitizing usually follows cleaning, because germs are harder to reduce on a dirty surface.
Disinfecting
Disinfecting uses a registered product to kill germs on a surface when used as directed, including the dwell time on the label. It matters in places where germs spread easily, such as restrooms, high-touch points during an illness and certain commercial settings.
Which one do you need?
- Most homes: regular cleaning, with sanitizing of kitchen and bathroom surfaces
- Restaurants and bars: cleaning and sanitizing of food-contact and bar surfaces, plus disinfecting restrooms
- Offices: cleaning, with disinfecting of restrooms and shared high-touch points
- After illness: cleaning followed by disinfecting of high-touch surfaces
A note on products
Bethel J cleans with organic, pet-safe materials as our standard. If your space needs a registered disinfectant for a specific reason, such as a health code or a medical setting, tell us when you request a quote so we can plan around it. See our eco and pet-safe page and our disinfection and sanitizing service.
Ready when you are
Bethel J Cleaning Services works nationwide with vetted, background-checked cleaners, organic pet-safe products and a 75-point inspection on every job. Ask for a free quote or read why customers choose us.