Sanitization, Disinfection, and Sterilization
While talking with a client about her cleaning processes at work, I realized that it might be helpful to talk a bit about the difference between sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing. This is one of the very first topics we learn in beauty school, because it is so important for infection control! I feel for those in retail, because they have not got this critical education, but are still expected to maintain these standards for everyone’s safety. Here is some helpful information.
Sanitizing
Sanitizing is a synonym for cleaning. It is the process where you remove dirt, oils, and microbes with soap and water, or another cleaning product. Soap and water is incredibly effective due to the somewhat unique properties of soap. With a hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water fearing) end to each soap molecule, they line up to form bubbles around debris, then wash away with water. This is why it is important to get sudsy when washing your hands.
Sanitizing is always the first step. You can, and should, sanitize basically everything: surfaces, clothes, people, and more. Each situation will call for a different approach. We can best sanitize our hands with soap and warm water, using the various motions outlined in countless diagrams. Similarly, it is important to sanitize our reusable masks with soap and hot water after each use. We can also use other chemicals, like alcohol, Lysol, or bleach to sanitize, although they won’t always be safe for skin contact. Be sure to always read labels for usage, including protective equipment. The key piece of this step is removing debris.
Disinfecting kills most microbes
Disinfection is intended to kill the vast majority of microbes remaining on a surface after cleaning. It is always the second step. You cannot effectively disinfect a dirty surface. If you haven’t sanitized (cleaned) a surface, the disinfectant will only touch the top of the dirt, oil, etc. Everything underneath that will still be dirty and definitely not disinfected.
Disinfectants are designed to kill living things. They typically will kill the vast majority (often 99%) of microbes on a surface, when used correctly, and should explicitly list their stats on the label. Disinfectants should never touch your skin, which is a living thing.
When using disinfectants, remember that you must have a clean surface in order to effectively disinfect it. Disinfectants are not for skin contact. EVER. Some products can both sanitize and disinfect, although not in the same step. These products are not likely to be safe for skin contact, or are not effective as disinfectants at the concentration safe for skin. One example is bleach: if it is weak enough for touching your skin, it is too weak to disinfect things. Once your surface is clean, disinfect it per the product manufacturer’s instructions.
Always, always read labels. They provide critical information about how to safely and effectively use the product. Follow instructions about concentration, contact time, ventilation, and personal protective equipment. Contact time is the length of time a product must remain on a surface, typically wet on a surface, in order to be effective. Concentrated disinfectants must be mixed as directed. Check the label for proportions and remember to add the concentrate to the water, not the other way around. Failing to follow instructions may mean that your surfaces are not getting clean and disinfected! It can also lead to organ damage through inhalation or skin contact, ranging from contact dermatitis to death. I know that wearing gloves can feel awkward and cumbersome, but frequent exposure to disinfectants is likely to leave your skin red, cracked, and angry. It can lead to severe allergies, where skin will blister on contact. Don’t let this happen to you.
Sterilizing kills everything
Sterilization is a further level, where all microbes are killed. This is typically only used for tools in medical settings, as well as some nicer salons. If you’ve be in to our salon, you’ve probably noticed that each item we use is in its own little pouch. Those pouches are used in our autoclave when we sterilize them, and they have an indicator dot to let us know that the run was successful. We sterilize our tools, while we disinfect surfaces.
No one is going to be sterilizing classrooms or shops, and they shouldn’t be expected to.