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What is the difference between cleaning and disinfection?

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.
Difference between cleaning and disinfecting
Dirk Timmers
Specialist Hygiene & Disinfection | February 15, 2020 | 2 min. reading time

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.

HortiHygienz

The total solution for hygiene issues in horticulture

We believe that growers worldwide can maximize the yield of their crops with optimum hygiene. HortiHygienz can be used worldwide as a total solution for operational hygiene. Whatever the question or challenge in the area of operational hygiene, HortiHygienz has the solution for you!
Related products
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Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Dirk Timmers will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
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What is the difference between cleaning and disinfection?

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.
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Dirk Timmers, product specialist hygiene
Dirk Timmers
Specialist Hygiene & Disinfection | February 15, 2020 | 2 min. reading time
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Difference between cleaning and disinfecting

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.

HortiHygienz

The total solution for hygiene issues in horticulture

We believe that growers worldwide can maximize the yield of their crops with optimum hygiene. HortiHygienz can be used worldwide as a total solution for operational hygiene. Whatever the question or challenge in the area of operational hygiene, HortiHygienz has the solution for you!
Related products
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Dirk Timmers will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Dirk Timmers, product specialist hygiene
Also interesting for you
How do I clean materials?
Soiling caused by the remains of plants, plant sap, soil, dust and other organic materials strongly adheres to various surfaces. A thorough cleaning is therefore of great importance in order to work hygienically and should always occur prior to starting the disinfection.
How to set up a hygiene plan?
To handle a working method that is as hygienic as possible, drawing up a hygiene plan is adviced. This will help your business to be able to control and guarantee business hygiene as best as possible. Our specialist explains.
Why is working hygienically important?
Although disinfecting of the greenhouse will prevent undesired diseases and pests, it is important to also consider possible diseases spread by people, machines and tools.