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What is the difference between cleaning and disinfection?
Written by Dirk Timmers | Last update 15-02-2020
Cleaning and disinfection are of great importance for hygienic cultivation. It’s the only way to prevent diseases, bacteria and pests, and to prevent infection of crops. Cleaning and disinfection are therefore necessary parts for crop and production quality.
What is cleaning?
Cleaning is the removal of dirt such as dust, dirt or grease. For this you use a cleaning agent. Cleaning does not kill microorganisms.
What is disinfection?
Disinfection is killing, inactivating or removing pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. By combating the microorganisms, they cannot spread further. Disinfection should be done immediately after cleaning a surface.
First cleaning, then disinfecting
For optimal hygiene, ensure you first clean the material or surface to be cleaned with a cleaning product. This will remove dirt and grease. By removing this dirt and grease layer, you can properly reach the bacteria, molds and germs that are found underneath with the disinfection product. The second step is disinfecting. You can remove stubborn bacteria, molds and germs with a disinfecting product. A cleaning product will not do this. A surface may look clean after using a cleaning product, but it isn’t always so!
Decision aid
To choose the appropriate cleaning or disinfecting product you can utilize the decision aid. Decide if you are cleaning or disinfecting and click to view the various cleaning and disinfecting products.