Disinfecting and sterilizing are both types of decontamination, a process that makes something safe to touch. The purpose is to kill enough germs so the risk of infection is extremely low. Decontamination is different from cleaning, which can get rid of dust and dirt but may only remove some of the germs that are present. Read on to learn more about the differences between disinfecting and sterilizing, and about some best practices for fighting COVID and other harmful agents.
All of these methods are antimicrobial processes that aim to kill germs to some degree. But there are key differences to understand before choosing which mode of decontamination is best in your situation. Overall, sterilization is the most advanced form of decontamination, but disinfecting and sterilizing both kill more germs than sanitizing.
The process of disinfecting removes harmful organisms from objects. This is usually done by applying chemical sprays or wipes. One of the greatest advantages to disinfecting is the availability of products to the general public. Depending on the type of disinfectant used, the product may need to be left on surfaces for as little as 20 minutes or as long as 12 hours.
Disinfectants can kill most viruses and fungi, with the majority of commercial products also marketed as effective against the COVID virus when used as directed. While disinfectants can kill bacteria, they may not be able to treat bacterial spores , which lay dormant. Sterilization, on the other hand, is a process typically used by professionals in settings such as hospitals.
Sterilization is common in medical facilities, but it may also be helpful for businesses and schools that want to get rid of germs in entire rooms. While sterilization gets rid of all germs, sanitizing aims to lower the amount to a safe level. The process of sanitizing can involve both cleaning and disinfecting. While sterilization is typically done by professionals, you can properly disinfect items and common surfaces yourself at home or in your workplace.
A few disinfectants will kill spores with prolonged exposure times 3—12 hours ; these are called chemical sterilants. At similar concentrations but with shorter exposure periods e.
Intermediate-level disinfectants might be cidal for mycobacteria, vegetative bacteria, most viruses, and most fungi but do not necessarily kill bacterial spores. Germicides differ markedly, primarily in their antimicrobial spectrum and rapidity of action. Cleaning is the removal of visible soil e. Thorough cleaning is essential before high-level disinfection and sterilization because inorganic and organic materials that remain on the surfaces of instruments interfere with the effectiveness of these processes.
Decontamination removes pathogenic microorganisms from objects so they are safe to handle, use, or discard. Terms with the suffix cide or cidal for killing action also are commonly used. The term germicide includes both antiseptics and disinfectants. Antiseptics are germicides applied to living tissue and skin; disinfectants are antimicrobials applied only to inanimate objects.
In general, antiseptics are used only on the skin and not for surface disinfection, and disinfectants are not used for skin antisepsis because they can injure skin and other tissues. Virucide, fungicide, bactericide, sporicide, and tuberculocide can kill the type of microorganism identified by the prefix.
For example, a bactericide is an agent that kills bacteria. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Infection Control. Methods Phenolic disinfectants, heavy metals, halogens eg chlorine , bleach, alcohols, hydrogen peroxide, detergents, heating and pasteurization. Heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration. Types Air disinfectants, alcohols, aldehydes, oxidizing agents, phenolics.
Steam, heating, chemical sterilization, radiation sterilization, sterile filtration. Application Disinfection is used mostly to decontaminate surfaces and air. Sterilization is used for food, medicine and surgical instruments. Methods of Sterilization and Disinfection Disinfection is usually carried out by using disinfectants chemicals.
Types Disinfection Air disinfectants - disinfectant is dispersed as either as an aerosol or vapour at a sufficient concentration in the air to cause the number of viable infectious microorganisms to be significantly reduced.
Chemicals used propylene glycol and triethylene glycol. Alcohols - high-concentration can effectively inactivate viruses such as HIV , hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Chemicals present usually ethanol or isopropanol. It is safe and inexpensive to use in household environment, care has to be taken around inflammable items. Aldehydes — are somewhat effective on spores and fungus also. Chemicals - formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
Oxidizing agents — Cause the microorganism to collapse. Chlorine and oxygen are strong oxidizers, so their compounds are used for e. In fact it is the most cost-effective home disinfectant sodium hypochlorite solution is used to clean toilets, drains, surfaces, swimming pool. Phenolics — It is oldest known disinfectant for e. Chemicals - Phenol, Chloroxylenol Quaternary ammonium compounds " quats " — These are effective low level disinfectants. Chemicals - benzalkonium chloride. Common sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 has disinfectant properties.
Sterilization Steam - Used in machines called autoclaves.
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