Maintaining Effective Hygiene in 2024

Understanding Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitising

It remains critical to practice both good hand and surface hygiene. Whether in homes, workplaces or public spaces, using the right products is essential to prevent the spread of infections. To ensure you are using the correct product for the task at hand, we’ve compiled this guide to clarify the key differences between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitising.

Cleaning

Cleaning is the process of removing dirt, grease, and other substances from surfaces.

This step is essential before any disinfection or sanitising, as it clears away matter that can interfere with the effectiveness of disinfecting and/or sanitising. To clean effectively, use an appropriate detergent or cleaner that can break down grease, dirt and food debris, leaving surfaces visibly clean.

Disinfecting

Disinfection involves the use of chemicals to kill microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) on surfaces or objects.

For disinfection to be effective, a pre-clean is required, as disinfectants perform best on clean surfaces.

Using certified disinfectants that meet international standards remains essential.

Key standards include:

  • EN 1276: Verifies bacterial efficacy, requiring a 5-log reduction (99.999%).
  • EN 16777 and EN 14476: Confirm virucidal activity, requiring a 4-log reduction (99.99%)

For environments with high foot traffic, using virucidal disinfectants is crucial. In less busy areas, a combination of regular cleaning and disinfection remains sufficient for maintaining hygiene.

Sanitising

Sanitising is a term commonly used in food handling and catering industries, where both cleaning and disinfection are necessary. A sanitiser acts as both a cleaner and a disinfectant, balancing the two to address light cleaning and germ control in a single step. However, for optimal results, it’s still recommended to follow a two-stage process (cleaning, then disinfecting), especially in areas with a higher risk of contamination.

Best Practices for Cleaning and Disinfecting

Not all surfaces require the same level of attention. High-contact areas like door handles, light switches, worktops, and shared equipment should be cleaned and disinfected frequently using the recommended two-stage process: cleaning first, then disinfecting. Lower-risk areas such as floors, walls, and windows generally only need regular cleaning with a high-quality detergent.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Product

When selecting the appropriate product for your needs, consider the following:

  • Is the product effective against the target microorganisms?
  • Is it suitable for the specific application?
  • What is the correct dilution rate and contact time?
  • Are there any safety precautions or in-use guidelines?

Always follow manufacturer recommendations for dilution and contact time to ensure maximum effectiveness. Pay special attention to correct usage and disposal instructions to minimise environmental impact and ensure safety.

Solutions for All Applications

Whether you're maintaining hygiene in a commercial kitchen, domestic kitchen, healthcare facility, beauty clinic, child or elderly care setting, or public space, our wide range of products offer a solution.

Depending on your requirements, select from cleaners, disinfectants, or sanitisers, and always adhere to these principles:

  • Use the correct dilution
  • Allow the necessary contact time
  • Follow product guidelines
  • Dispose of products responsibly

By following these guidelines and choosing the appropriate product for each task, you can help maintain a safe and hygienic environment.

 

LINK: Cleaning Products - Cleaning Chemicals | Brosch Direct