Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfection

Cleaning

Cleaning gets rid of the dirt you can see. You need to clean before disinfecting or sanitizing if the surface is visibly soiled. A good cleaning program begins by washing your hands. A good handwashing and cleaning solution is soap and water.

Sanitizing and Disinfection

Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on a surface or object to a safe level. Disinfection kills germs on a surface or object but requires a strong concentration of chemicals that can leave a harmful residue on the surface. For this reason, disinfectant products should not be used on surfaces and equipment that will come into direct contact with skin, mouth or eyes. Disinfection should be done on hard non-absorbent surfaces, such as bathroom fixtures, floors and walls. It should also be done when a surface has been contaminated with body fluids, such as feces, blood or vomit. Many disinfectant products require a rinse step after use.

SurfaceChlorine/Bleach (Unscented Bleach only)Quaternary Ammonia (Quat)Other Products
Sanitize
Food/Skin Contact

  • Tables
  • Dishes
  • Diapering station without liner
50-200 parts per million200 parts per million (Or as stated on label)Must be labeled approved for sanitizing. Follow Label Instructions.
Disinfect
Non-Food/Skin Contact

Hard, non- porous surfaces
  • Bathrooms
  • Walls
  • Floors
400-800 parts per million

Can also be used to disinfect after bodily fluid clean-up		As stated on labelFollow Label Instructions

Sanitizing Tips

  • Bleach water solutions in spray bottles should be changed daily.
  • Sanitizer is ineffective when mixed with soapy water.
  • Too little sanitizer will not be effective. Too much sanitizer is toxic and a skin irritant.