Covid-19: Know The Difference Between A Sanitizer And Disinfectant

Covid-19… This novel disease has changed the whole world completely and had brought enough changes to the lives with its contagious symptoms. The words and actions like 'Hug' and 'Touch' are now bygone ones as they are strictly prohibited to stay away from the Coronavirus.

Well, two main things which every human should follow to stay away from this pandemic are: washing hands and sanitizing them. Even one need to maintain clean surfaces frequently mopping them with a disinfecting liquid.

But here comes the problem, most of them think that sanitizers and disinfectants are same… But no, they are totally different and hold completely different formulas.

So, we Hans India have come up with a write-up which clearly explains the difference between a sanitizer and disinfectant… Have a look!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting all have different definitions.

• Cleaning: Through cleaning surfaces germs, dirt and other impurities from the surfaces get removed but there is no guarantee of killing the bacteria.

• Sanitizing: Using a sanitizer, one can lower the number of germs on surfaces or objects. 99% of bacteria gets killed from the surface or hands once you clean your hands with a sanitizer.

• Disinfecting: Coming to the disinfectants, these liquids completely kills the germs and bacteria on surfaces or objects.

According to Diane Calello, MD, executive and medical director of New Jersey Poison Center and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, tells Health, "Disinfecting kills the majority of viruses and bacteria & sanitizing doesn't kill everything." This proves that sanitizers are that strong when compared to disinfectants.

But here comes an interesting point, there are a few products which hold both sanitizing and disinfectant properties. Dr. Calello doles out that, Bleach can be a disinfectant, but if it's very diluted, it might be a sanitizer (meaning, again, that it kills fewer bacteria and viruses).

So, When Should One Use A Sanitizer And A Disinfectant?

For instance, you can't sanitize the groceries or any other food item you bring home straight from the shops. You need to clean then either water or wet cloth. The same thing happens with cleaning surfaces, doorknobs and other house-hold things. You need to use a disinfectant liquid to clean them. One can go with these liquids to clean toilets and sinks as well.

On the other hand, when it comes to cleaning hands and make them free from germs before eating, one needs to go with a sanitizer as it will kill the germs and make your free from bacteria without using water. According to Dr Calello, one shouldn't clean their hands with a disinfectant, it might harm the skin and create adverse effects turning into poison.

If you are using any surfaces for food preparation, it's best to go with a sanitizer this makes the surfaces clean and tidy too.

Finally, Donald Ford, MD, family medicine doctor at Cleveland Clinic concludes that, "Wipe off surfaces but wash your hands."

Our hands also hold some good bacteria so when we use a disinfectant, it kills both good and bad ones and also harms the skin. But sanitizer only kills the bad ones and clean the hands to the fuller.

Dr. Calello also doles out the same speaking out, "There's a reason we don't apply something that kills every organism" on the skin.

So concluding the write-up we say, use a sanitizer for only cleaning your hands and disinfectant to clean the surfaces of your home.