Sanitiser Vs Disinfectant what’s the difference?

The words sanitiser and disinfectant are often interchanged when removing germs from surfaces but are they the same? Is a sanitiser a disinfectant? Let’s take a look:

Key definitions

1. Cleaning – The act of removing dust, visible dirt and some impurities from surfaces. This is typically completed with a cloth in conjunction with a detergent, soap or solvent.
   
   Cleaning by itself does not thoroughly remove bacteria or viruses from surfaces, but it is still essential. Cleaning should always be done before sanitising, disinfecting or sterilising because it improves the effectiveness of the processes. 
   
   
2. Sanitising – Reduces the number of bacteria, and other microbes on a surface. It does not kill or destroy them, it lowers the amount of contaminants to a safe level as judged by public health standards. 
   
   Sanitisers are often used on food contact surfaces because they contain less harsh chemicals when compared to disinfectants. However, always check the label to verify that the sanitiser you are using is food safe if you intend on using it in a food preparation area. 
   
   
3. Disinfecting– Kills or deactivates the bacteria and viruses on a surface.
   Disinfecting is performed in various circumstances, especially in hospitals and other medical facilities. Disinfectants use harsher chemicals to clean the surface. 
   
   It is more common to have sanitisers that are food safe. Still, there are food safe disinfectants that can be used. Consult with a products specialist to find the best food safe solution for your business.
   
   
4. Sterilising– The process of eliminating viruses, bacteria and all forms of microbial life. The process of sterilising is more commonly seen in laboratories and surgical rooms.

It is helpful to think of these as different levels of removing bacteria and viruses from the surface. So why would any business sanitise instead of disinfecting?

Sanitisers and disinfectants have some practical differences, including:

The “activation time” ( the time it takes to activate and kill germs)

• Sanitising- can work on a surface almost immediately once applied.
• Disinfecting – activation time can vary for disinfectants always refer to the product documentation.

It is always important to refer to the product documentation to effectively use them. We work with quality suppliers like Dominant and Actichem, who provide accurate documentation, and our product specialists can assist you with your needs.

Are they safe for food preparation areas?

• Sanitising – Not all sanitiser is food safe but you can get food safe sanitiser for preparation areas. Refer to the chemical documentation for more information or contact one of our product specialists.
• Disinfecting – Is higher potencey and is not recomended to be used in food preperation areas but there are products specifically designed for food preparation areas. Always check the product documentation and if unsure contact a product specialist for the best results.

Here is a list of food grade disinfectant chemicals we offer

Are Sanitisers or Disinfectants effective against COVID 19?

Not all disinfectants have been proven to be effective against COVID19. If you are looking for a disinfectant proven against COVID 19, the TGA has released a list of approved products. For your convenience, we have created a list of products that are proven against COVID-19

So what’s the difference between sanitiser and disinfectants?

Although the words sanitiser and disinfectant are interchanged regularly, there are distinct differences between using a sanitiser and a disinfectant. To get the best results, you should clean a surface before disinfecting or sanitising, read the chemical documentation and ensure you are using the product as intended.

Check to see if your product is food safe for food preparation areas. Make sure the product will achieve the results you require for safety standards. If you are unsure, contact a product specialist to assess your needs.

For protection against COVID 19, look for the ARTG number and check that the product is on the list of approved products that have been tested to be effective against the virus. Here is a list of our products that have been proven to kill COVID-19

If you are unsure, seek advice for the best products for your situation, sanitisers like surface or hand sanitisers and disinfectants like hospital grade disinfectant or hospital grade spray disinfectants have been specifically engineered to perform specific tasks, and there may be a more effective solution for your needs. When contacting a product specialist, be clear of:

• The result you wish to achieve.
• The surface you wish to use the chemical on.
• How many staff you have to perform the task.