FAQs
More FAQs- Isn't clean, disinfect and sanitize the same thing?
- Does a urethane floor need to be buffed?
- Is urethane slippery when wet?
To the general public, these three terms — clean, disinfect, sanitize — are often used interchangeably. However, to a cleaning professional, these terms are not the same and can refer to very different outcomes. According to Public Health Canada and the U.S. Center for Disease Control, the definition of these terms are as follows:
CleanThis refers to the removal of visible dirt and debris through the use of soap or detergent and water. While this process may remove germs from surfaces, it does not necessarily kill the germs. This said, the mere act of germ removal lowers their numbers and does help in reducing the risk of infection.
DisinfectWith disinfection, germs are actually KILLED on surfaces through the use of chemicals. 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.
SanitizeLastly, the term sanitize has its roots in the word “Sanitary” which is defined as “of or relating to health”. When you keep this in mind, to sanitize means lowering the number of germs on surfaces to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This can be achieved by either cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces to lower the risk of spreading infection.
Not to confuse you anymore, but as an added bonus, we’ll also define the term “sterilize” which is the process in which chemicals are used to kill ALL microbial life including bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi. This is a process that is very rarely undertaken in a facility outside of a healthcare setting.
So, for a cleaning professional, our disinfection process for your commercial facility is routinely a 2-step process - We clean first, then disinfect - in order to provide you with a sanitary facility in which to work!
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/cleaning.htm
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/cleaning-disinfecting-public-spaces.html
- https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/bp-cleaning-disinfection-sterilization-hcs.pdf?la=en
- https://www.foodsafety.ca/blog/understanding-difference-between-cleaning-sanitizing-sterilizing
Urethane is NEVER buffed. Buffing may actually diminish the gloss of the finish.
Any coated surface can be slippery when wet. Our urethane product is considered to have acceptable slip resistance according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) B101.3-2012 test method for measuring wet dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of common hard-surface floor materials. We offer optional additives to create high slip resistance (lower probability of slipping) for wet environments or areas of concern.
