There is a lot of misuse and confusion between the words cleaner, sanitizer and disinfectant. To confuse matters even more, products can often be a combination of sanitizer and disinfectant.

So what is the difference, really, between these three categories of products?

In short … sanitizers reduce bacteria on a surface by at least 99.9%, disinfectants kill a wider range of microorganisms (than sanitizers), and cleaners simply remove dirt, soils and impurities from surfaces.

Got it?

The above is a simple explanation. However, there is a bit more to it…

EPA Certification

Sanitizers and disinfectants are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and therefore, must be certified through a process that tests them to meet certain pre-defined criteria. By law, a chemical product cannot be labeled as a sanitizer or a disinfectant unless and until it is EPA certified.

Germ Specificity

Both sanitizers and disinfectants must be tested against specific germs. Chemical labels must list out each of these germs individually. One disinfectant could kill germs X and Y while another disinfectant might kill germs Y and Z.

It is important to understand that a single sanitizer or disinfectant will not kill all microorganisms, and to know which germs your products work against.

Sanitizers are certified for bacteria only, while disinfectants can also be certified to kill viruses, mold, mildew, and fungi.

Time to Kill

The time it takes to kill germs is one more factor that is important when evaluating both sanitizers and disinfectants, and this must also be listed on a product’s label. Some chemical formulas kill respective germs in 5 minutes and others in just one minute or less. This is called “dwell time” and should be taken into account when choosing and using sanitizers and disinfectants for various applications. As an example, SDVO eliminates 99.999% of bacteria* in 60 seconds.

Cleaners Remove Dirt

Cleaners are simple and straightforward in contrast with sanitizers and disinfectants! They represent a broad category of products that use soap or detergents to physically remove dirt and soil from surfaces. Cleaning doesn’t kill germs, it simply removes them. There are cleaners for every surface under the sun from floors and carpets to boats. The EPA does not test or regulate cleaners for effectiveness. That said, there are definitely different qualities and strengths of cleaners, so buyers beware!

To Sum Up

Consult your GTech sales representative for more information

*As listed on label.