The Difference Between Disinfecting and Sanitizing—and When to Use Each

The words "disinfecting" and "sanitizing" are thrown around quite a bit when talking about cleaning. You might spot them on the packaging of any number of wipes and all-purpose sprays at the store. But what’s the difference between the two?

To break down these often-used terms, we chatted with experts to demystify the difference between disinfecting and sanitizing. Plus, the germ-eradicating mistakes you might be making at home.

Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting, Explained

Brian Labus, infectious disease epidemiologist, explains that both sanitizing and disinfecting kill organisms on surfaces. However, the number of organisms eradicated and the types of organisms differ.

"Sanitizing tries to reduce the number of organisms to safe levels, and disinfecting tries to eliminate them completely," Labus says. "Disinfection is simply a more advanced type of sanitization." To put those product labels into perspective, sanitizers can "only make claims about bacteria," explains Labus, "but disinfectants can make claims about bacteria and viruses."

Disinfectants that can kill both bacteria and viruses are often labeled as broad-spectrum, which means they can tackle many different cleaning situations. "Disinfecting requires a higher level of microbial control than sanitizing does," says surgeon Dr. James J. Chao, M.D. 

And this minutia matters. "People often use sanitizers or disinfectants without understanding what they are or how they are supposed to be used," Labus says. "For them to be effective, they need to be used as directed on the label. If they aren't, they will give you a false sense of security instead of protecting you."

An Essential First Step Most People Skip

Cleaning is the cornerstone of effective sanitizing and disinfecting. If your surfaces are not cleaned first, a disinfectant may not work properly. 

"This step physically removes the bulk of dirt and germs and the majority of the burden that allows sanitizing and disinfecting to be effective," explains Dr. Ulysses Wu, M.D., chief epidemiologist at Hartford Healthcare. "This can be done with soap or detergents. It is always the first step, and sanitizing and disinfecting should never be done without cleaning."

Three Steps to Effective Cleaning

Dr. Wu recommends following these steps to achieve a truly clean—and disinfected—surface:

• Cleaning: Start by washing the surface with soap or a detergent to remove visible dirt. This initial step clears away debris so sanitizers and disinfectants can reach microorganisms more effectively. Skipping this stage can make germ-killing products less effective because residue can block contact with the surface, Dr. Chao warns.
• Sanitizing: After cleaning, use a sanitizing product to lower the number of microorganisms to safer levels. This step is especially helpful for items that come into contact with food or mouths, where reducing bacteria helps limit the spread of illness.
• Disinfecting: Disinfecting is the last step and uses stronger products designed to eliminate a broader range of germs. (Look for an EPA registration number on the product's container to confirm.) This level of cleaning is most important to do when someone is ill or when surfaces may be contaminated with disease-causing pathogens.

Remember that dwell time matters quite a bit when it comes to killing germs. It’s important not to apply a cleaning solution and immediately wipe it off. Wu recommends waiting about four minutes for the solution to do its job.

When to Choose Sanitizing or Disinfecting

Trying to determine what items (and surfaces) require disinfecting versus sanitizing? Our experts outline helpful scenarios and specific rooms that may require more or less cleaning power.  

When to Choose Sanitizing

• When you’re regularly cleaning high-touch areas: Items like doorknobs, faucet handles, and remotes accumulate germs through everyday contact—but they don’t usually carry high concentrations of dangerous pathogens, Wu explains. Sanitizing reduces microorganisms to safer levels, which is typically enough for routine maintenance. However, if someone is ill in the home, then these items should be disinfected instead. 
• When you’re cleaning off children’s toys: Toys frequently come into contact with children’s hands and mouths, which makes sanitizing important for reducing bacteria and limiting fecal-oral transmission. Sanitizing helps eliminate bacteria without needing to kill every pathogen, which makes it safer for kids.
• After using your home gym: Exercise equipment can collect bacteria and skin microbes through sweat and repeated handling, but these organisms are typically not highly infectious (unless someone is ill). 

When to Choose Disinfecting

• When sickness is involved: If someone in the home has been ill, Dr. Wu explains that surfaces may have been contaminated, and disinfecting is necessary. “There are some diseases that require a very low number of organisms to cause disease,” Dr. Wu says. “The gastrointestinal disease, norovirus, is a good example, which is why it will spread so rapidly and quickly.”
• If someone in the home is immunocompromised: People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to infections from microorganisms that might not affect healthy individuals. Dr. Wu says that disinfecting routinely is a good idea for people who have trouble fighting off infections.
• When working with food items that harbor disease: "A surface that should be regularly disinfected should be kitchen surfaces and cutting boards that handle harmful microorganisms that can cause gastrointestinal diseases," Dr. Wu says. "This is especially prevalent with some raw meats like chicken."
• When cleaning bathrooms or diaper changing tables: Bathrooms and diaper-changing areas are more likely to harbor viruses and bacteria associated with bodily fluids and fecal contamination, Labus says.