Have You Ever Made Any of These Common Cleaning Mistakes?

By Kirsten Garvin - Team Member and Staff Writer for The Cardiac Bear

As you do your weekly shopping trip you may have noticed that the cleaning aisles have been barebones at many shopping centers over the last seven months.

Store employees try their hardest to keep it stocked but disinfecting wipes, multipurpose cleaners, hand sanitizers, and bleach have been flying off the shelves. While all of us are being a little more conscientious about cleaning these days, let’s take a look at some common mistakes some of us may not even realize we're making!

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There's a Difference Between Disinfecting and Sanitizing

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. (Source)

Disinfecting: kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. (Source)

Sanitizing:lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. (Source)

Antiseptic: Antiseptics are for use on the skin outside the body and contain microorganisms that work to deter the development of bacteria, fungi and viruses. (Source)

Antibacterial: Antibacterials are now most commonly described as agents used to disinfect surfaces [from bacteria] and eliminate potentially harmful bacteria. Antibacterials are also for use on skin on the outside of the body. They are active against bacteria, not viruses. (Source)

Antimicrobial: Antimicrobial agents kill or slow the spread of microorganisms. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi such as mold and mildew. (Source)