Guide
Cleaning vs disinfecting: what is the difference?
Cleaning vs disinfecting is not a choice between two products. Cleaning removes dirt, grease and most germs from a surface; disinfecting uses a chemical to kill the germs that remain. You need the first for the second to work properly.
Why you clean first
Disinfectants work by contact. If a bench is covered in grease, food residue or dust, the disinfectant reacts with that layer instead of reaching the surface underneath. That is why most labels tell you to clean the surface with detergent and water before applying them. On a visibly dirty surface, a disinfectant on its own is largely wasted.
For everyday household surfaces, regular cleaning with detergent is usually enough. Disinfecting earns its place when someone in the home or workplace is unwell, on surfaces that handle raw meat, and on high-touch points in shared spaces.
Which surfaces matter most
Focus your effort where hands go. In most homes and offices that means:
- Door handles, push plates and light switches
- Taps, toilet flush buttons and toilet seats
- Fridge, microwave and cupboard handles
- Kitchen benches and chopping boards
- Shared phones, keyboards, remotes and touchscreens
- Lift buttons, stair rails and reception counters
In vehicles the same principle applies to the steering wheel, gear selector and door handles. Our work vehicle cleaning guide lists those touch points.
How to read a disinfectant label
Three details on the label decide whether a disinfectant actually works:
- Dilution. Use exactly the strength the label gives. Stronger is not better and can damage surfaces or skin.
- Contact time. The surface has to stay wet for the time stated, often several minutes. Spraying and wiping straight away does not give the product time to work.
- Surfaces. Check which materials the product is suitable for. Some disinfectants mark stone benchtops, timber or screens.
In Australia, disinfectants are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which sets requirements for products that make claims about killing germs. The TGA website has more on how disinfectants are classified.
Safety basics
Never mix cleaning chemicals. Bleach combined with ammonia-based products or with acidic cleaners releases toxic gases, and the reaction can happen in a bucket or a closed bathroom in seconds. Use one product, rinse, then use the next if you have to.
Ventilate the room, wear gloves, keep products in their original labelled containers, and store them out of reach of children. If a product is splashed in the eyes or swallowed, follow the first aid instructions on the label and call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
A simple routine
- Remove clutter and loose debris.
- Clean with detergent and warm water, then rinse if the surface needs it.
- Apply the disinfectant at the label strength.
- Leave it wet for the full contact time.
- Wipe or rinse if the label says to, especially on food-contact surfaces.
- Wash or replace cloths so they do not carry germs to the next surface.
For the wider routine around these steps, see the home cleaning checklist or the office cleaning checklist.