Until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I certainly did not appreciate the difference between disinfecting, sanitising and sterilising. I knew they all referred to a form of killing germs but that’s as far as my knowledge base went. However these 3 words have now become 2020 buzz words! It has become imperative for the consumer and business owner to now understand these terms in detail in order to decide what product to use for what purpose in order to “eliminate the virus and keep ourselves safe” and of course to adhere to COVID compliance procedures in order for businesses to start opening up.
The Merriam Webster dictionary is America’s most trusted online dictionary for English word definitions and usages and as I’m no English major, I used it as a reference point.
Let’s start with Sterilise (the American’s use a “z” instead of an”s”)…. The easiest of the 3 words to understand. The medical definition is as follows:
to make sterile:
a – to deprive of the power of reproducing
b – to free from living microorganisms (as by the use of physical or chemical agents) sterilize a surgical instrument
So basically sterilisation eradicates any pathogens from a particular item and is the best method for killing bacteria and viruses. It is not possible to sterilise large environments. So sterilisation is mostly used in health care facilities on medical instruments, such as surgical tools.
SafeSpray as a Steriliser?
SafeSpray’s active ingredient is 500ppm HOCl. According to GreenTeck Global (a UK-based innovator of alternative green technologies), HOCl is the world’s strongest natural steriliser and works faster and more effectively than any other comparable aggressive and expensive chemicals. And according to EcoFrom, a Korean based company, HOCl has 70~80 times stronger sterilization power than chlorine sodium (NaOCL), which often called clorox. A HOCl solution doesn’t produce any irritating odour or hazard during process. Therefore, a sterilization method with HOCl solution is deemed superior. <From the presentation of Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials>
Moving onto Cleaning, Disinfecting vs Sanitising:
The Merriam Webster says “Clean, sanitize, and disinfect are often used in overlapping contexts but the general distinction is that “to clean” refers to scrubbing with soap and water, whereas “sanitizing” and “disinfecting” kill germs and bacteria via chemical means. Typically, disinfectants kills more germs than sanitizers.”
Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove (WASH AWAY) germs (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) from surfaces. By removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. So for hands, according to the WHO, washing hands is best to get rid of any pathogen! If it’s not possible we are advised to use hand sanitisers!
On other surfaces, “clean” means “free from dirt or pollution,” and from a disinfecting and sanitising perspective, we are advised that one can’t disinfect something that’s not clean—which means you must get all dust, dirt, debris and the like off any surface before disinfecting or sanitising that surface!
Sanitising and disinfecting products are chemicals (either toxic or like SafeSpray eco-friendly and non-toxic) that work by killing germs. These chemicals are also called antimicrobial pesticides. Disinfectants kill more germs than sanitisers.
Sanitising lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level – it does not typically destroy all pathogens – it is a little gentler than disinfecting and is typically appropriate for surfaces that don’t typically come into contact with seriously dangerous bacteria, or those surfaces that you really don’t want to come into contact with powerful chemicals (unless its SafeSpray, in which case it doesn’t matter J): Think cooking tools and food prep surfaces or toys that children come into close contact with (or even put into their mouths).
SafeSpray as a Sanitiser?
As SafeSpray is completely non-toxic and contains no harmful chemicals it is an incredibly safe, cost effective and powerful sanitiser. When compared to alcohol-based sanitisers, HOCl fares even better. Whilst both are effective against viruses, fungi and bacteria, alcohol-based sanitisers do not kill bacterial spores – HOCl does! SafeSpray can be used as a hand sanitiser in unlimited quantities on a daily basis, without any harmful effects! It has been used as a food sanitiser for years on cruise ships and in farming and agriculture around livestock and animals safely.
And finally ….disinfecting
Disinfecting works by killing germs on surfaces or objects. This process killing germs on a surface after cleaning so that the risk of spreading infection is lowered. Disinfecting is very powerful and often uses strong toxic chemicals. Before the days of Covid -19, disinfecting was primarily used for the ugly big messes, particularly those involving bodily fluids, blood! In household settings, you’d disinfect a toilet, kitchen sinks or drains. Disinfection is also used regularly in medical facilities as they need to be sure of eliminating all pathogens!
With the advent of the coronavirus, disinfecting has become more common and all facilities from schools to office blocks, factories to beauty salons are disinfecting their entire environments to curtail the spread of the virus.
SafeSpray as a Disinfectant?
SafeSpray can be used as a disinfectant across all industries with confidence and ease! SafeSpray works by corroding the cell wall of a pathogen and causing the cell to die as a result of rupturing or inflammation – well that’s how I understand it! Either way, the cell is eliminated!!
HOCl is effective in killing all pathogens, microbes, prions, bio-film and viruses and the EPA has approved it as a disinfectant for use against SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. Due to its non-toxic and environmentally friendly attributes HOCl has been widely used in South Korea in their battle against COVID-19! They used HOCl to disinfect everything from food to people to hospital wards and their mass transit systems.
As HOCl can be used as a sanitiser and disinfectant, I’ve realised the terminology is not that important when using SafeSpray! Its uses are incredibly broad-based and diverse and by observing the way Korea took control of the spread of the virus it is clear to see that HOCl can also help us in South Africa gain the upper hand in this struggle without destroying our environment!
See also https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/clean-vs-sanitize-vs-disinfect-usage and https://www.merriam-webster.com/ and https://www.belle.org.uk/news-1/2020/4/2/why-the-nhs-and-private-clinics-should-look-to-hypochlorous-acid-rather-than-alcohol-based-sanitisers