Clean vs. Sanitize: what´s the difference – and when to do it

It’s important to know the difference between cleaning and sanitizing. THEY AREN’T THE SAME THING. 

Both are important to help prevent the spread of harmful germs.

Germs or microbes or microorganisms, they all mean the same, include viruses, bacteria, yeast, molds, and protozoa. 

• CLEANING removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

• SANITIZING is then used to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process works by disinfecting surfaces or objects using a diluted liquid chlorine bleach solution* or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.

*Solution: 5 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach with 3.5L of water in a clean bucket.

COVID-19 – Quarantine time exercise. Imagine this…

You’re about to sit down to a nice meal with a freshly cooked chicken breast. You have your dishes in the dishwasher and you’ve finished wiping down your surfaces. 

You’re done in your kitchen, right? Wrong! 

Whenever you cook raw meat or poultry, make sure you clean and THEN sanitize not just your surfaces but also the kitchen sink. Wiping or rinsing these areas is not enough to kill any bacteria that may have spread around your kitchen while you were preparing your food. 

Here’s your foolproof plan to leave your kitchen spotless and eliminate the germs you can’t see.

1.    Clean FIRST

Cleaning is an important first step to make sure you are removing microbes that can cause foodborne illness from your kitchen. To clean your surfaces and your kitchen sink, use warm, soapy water to wash these areas. Wipe them clean with single-use or paper towels. 

If you use kitchen towels for cleaning, they should be washed frequently in the hot cycle of your washing machine. And don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and running water to keep them clean too.

What does cleaning do? Cleaning is the first step to get rid of bacteria and viruses from these surfaces. Microbes can remain on surfaces for a very long time. Campylobacter can survive in your kitchen for up to 4 hours, and Salmonella can last for up to 32 hours (and both can be found on raw poultry). Coronavirus up to 72 hours.

Cleaning with warm, soapy water can physically remove dirt, grim and some bacteria from a surface, but it does NOT kill germs. 

2.    THEN Sanitize

Sanitizing is the second, but equally important step to removing microbes from your kitchen. This step will kill any remaining germs. Pour or spray your sanitizing solution on surfaces and wipe them clean with a paper towel. Be sure they are completely dry before using those surfaces or your sink again. 

Alert: If using commercial sanitizers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label. Some commercial sanitizers require food surfaces to be rinsed after using the sanitizer.

What does sanitizing do? Including a sanitizing step in your cleaning routine actually reduces the number of germs that survive in your kitchen – sanitizing kills microbes. 

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Sanitizing is most effective AFTER you have cleaned those surfaces. So, don’t skip the clean step!

Your dishwasher can also do an effective job of cleaning and sanitizing your utensils and cutting boards if they are made of materials that are non-porous (e.g. acrylic, plastic, glass, and solid wood) and are dishwasher safe. 

However, if you can’t or don’t want to put your cutting boards and utensils in the dishwasher, then wash them first and then use a sanitizing solution to make sure they are clean AND sanitized. Pour your sanitizing solution on the cutting boards and let it stand for several minutes or use it as a soak for your utensils. Next, rinse them and air or pat them dry with clean paper towels. 

With these two steps, clean THEN sanitize, you can knock out any germs in your kitchen! 

When To Clean 

1. To remove dried food and spills from countertops
2. To remove food from a stovetop
3. Wipe down interior refrigerator surfaces with hot water and soap

When to Sanitize

1. Someone sneezed all over your countertop
2. Someone sick touched your refrigerator door handle or faucet
3. Raw meat juice spilled on countertop, stove, sink, floor or in refrigerator
4. Raw meat touched a countertop, stovetop, sink, utensil or cutting board or shelf in your refrigerator.

Share this info with the ones who will benefit from these super useful tips.