More than ever, your cleaning procedures have taken center stage, and our industry is investing more resources into elevated cleaning protocols than ever before (and cleaning more than ever before). Cleaning and disinfecting are arguably the most critical part of your maintenance routine and the best way to reduce germs throughout your facility. But cleaning and disinfecting are not created equally. You can clean without disinfecting, but you can’t disinfect without cleaning. So, what is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Cleaning is the removal of germs and dirt from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs; it removes or reduces the number of germs to lower the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting (also known as "Sanitising," and also the reason Embed's Surface Cleaner is named Surface Sanitiser) kills germs on surfaces. If a surface is not cleaned first, germs can hide under soils and reduce the disinfectant's efficacy. By killing the germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. 

COVID-19 is thought to be transmitted via respiratory droplets, and current evidence suggests it may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces. This is why it is essential to clean and disinfect your FEC properly. In order to eliminate and reduce the risk of spreading the virus, the CDC recommends that hard surfaces be cleaned AND disinfected frequently.

It’s vital to understand the differences between these methods to help you determine the level of cleanliness necessary for a particular surface. It’s important to note that cleaning a surface, such as removing dirt and particles, is not the same thing as disinfecting a surface that kills viruses and bacteria. 

• Create a Routine Cleaning and Disinfecting Schedule: it’s important to maintain a specific schedule for maintaining your facility to help prevent the spread of diseases.
• Clean and Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces: key high-touch areas should be regularly disinfected, including doorknobs, light switches, backs of chairs, and game buttons and joysticks. 
• Use Cleaners and Disinfecting Solutions Correctly: follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants. Some products are only for specific surfaces and others have surface duration requirements.

Embed Hygiene Defence is a new approach to hygiene protection. With a product range that is stronger than harsh industrial cleaners without the toxicity, Embed Hygiene Defence delivers longer-lasting power (4 - 24 hours) vs highly flammable ethanol-based cleaners (that only last 3 - 5 minutes.) Keep your business safe from fire hazards and provide the best uncompromised protection to the industry’s employees and guests. 

Experience the Embed Hygiene Defence difference today.