Cleaning is What We Do: SERVPRO of Citrus Heights/Roseville and Carmichael

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Used in a professional sense, the word cleaning connotes, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting surfaces, materials, and other items.

Cleaning, as used in the title, is somewhat ambiguous and encompasses other processes than mere cleaning. Used in a professional sense, the word cleaning connotes, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting surfaces, materials, and other items. All these activities are meant to reduce the microbial burden in the home or business. 

Lets briefly highlight the key differences between the three:

1. Cleaning: Physical removal of dirt and grime from a surface or material with using soap/detergent and water. Cleaning by removing any dirt from the surface. The aim is not to kill microbes. However, since the dirt on which microbes thrive is dislodged, this invariably removes microbes as well. 
2. Sanitizing: This is the use of approved chemical products to inactivate microbes. The aim here is to lower the number of germs on surfaces and objects to levels deemed safe by Public Health Standards. The target is often bacterial rather than viruses. 
3. Disinfecting: This is the use of approved chemical products to kill germs on surfaces and objects. It does not necessarily clean the surface, but killing the germs lowers the risk of spreading infections.

There are several risks that a well-meaning individual can inadvertently expose themselves to if there is no professional guide. A typical example is mixing ammonia-based cleaning products with chlorine-based bleachers. Alcohol-based sanitizers are a no go for surfaces or items that would be close to a source of heating. What concentration should your cleaning agent be for a particular surface?

Guessing the proper combination and agent to use can be fatal in light of the recent pandemic. How do you properly clean up after a quarantine? How do you clean up after a confirmed COVID-19 patient is taken to a hospital? How about preventative cleaning. In such cases, professional help is needed.

SERVPRO of Citrus Heights/Roseville and Carmichael, with years of experience in biohazard cleaning, is well-positioned to provide such professional help.