What is the Difference Between Sanitizers and Disinfectants?

What is the Difference Between Sanitizers and Disinfectants?

As you keep your workplace sparkling clean, you should also remember to keep it healthy. As the entire world is grappling with the effects of COVID-19, proper hygiene is paramount.

Unfortunately, most cleaning agents don’t kill germs. A sparkling clean office can still harbor germs that your naked eyes can’t see.

You need to disinfect and sanitize your work environment to keep the germs at bay. But how do disinfectants and sanitizers work, and why do you need them?

In this article, we outline the difference between sanitizers and disinfectants, highlighting their benefits.

Sanitizers vs. Disinfectants

Sanitizers are gels that have some little alcoholic content that helps to destroy germs on the skin surface. They work properly to eliminate microscopic organisms and viruses. Sanitizers are also used to clean surfaces that you always use to place food or touch often.

 On the other hand, you can use a disinfectant to kill certain bacteria and viruses. They can also help get rid of mildews and fungi.

It kills these germs and leaves the space germ-free within a specific period. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use of both sanitizers and disinfectants.

Benefits of Sanitizers and Disinfectants

While disinfectants and sanitizers work differently but provide almost the same benefits. Let’s have a look.

Cleaning

Sanitizers are mainly used to sanitize, meaning that it eliminates germs on any given surface, but only if you use it appropriately. Apply a sanitizer after washing your hands with soap and water, especially if you’re around food, animals, and trash.

Use disinfectants mainly in health-care settings. Objects in medical centers are usually disinfected using liquid chemicals. You cannot use disinfectants in your daily cleaning routine. You can use them once in a while during a thorough cleaning.

Disinfectants can also help clean and treat serious injuries, so they don’t get infections. It’s more of a medicine than a sanitizer.

Improves Productivity at a Workplace

Keeping your environment clean and free from infections improves your well-being. You don’t have to worry about mold or mildew when disinfecting your surrounding more often. Disinfecting and sanitizing make your home and office smell cleaner and fresher.

Remember to hire a professional disinfection service whenever you decide to clean your workplace. These chemicals need professional handling to work well.

Decreases Risk of Illnesses

The use of sanitizers has helped in curbing flu-like infections such as coronavirus. Sanitizers limit your exposure to germs from other people. You lessen your odds of becoming ill anytime you pause on the day and apply a sanitizer.

When you use sanitizer and get in touch with someone with flu-like symptoms, your chances of getting infected are very minimal.

Disinfectants lower the chance of microbe-related issues and eliminate all the germs present in your body. Disinfection involves the use of chemicals that kill germs. Sanitizing reduce the number of germs present on a surface.

Decreases Allergy Flare-ups

You’ve to sanitize and disinfect your home or workplace more often if you have allergies. Sanitizing and disinfecting helps to deal with common allergens found on surfaces.

Such allergens include pet dander, dust mites, mold, and mildew. Both disinfectants and sanitizers can work well to remove allergens.