
Disinfectant vs Sanitiser: What You Need to Know
Ever picked up a cleaning product, ready to tackle those germs, only to wonder: “Is this a disinfectant or a sanitiser?” And more importantly, “Will it kill germs?” You’re not alone.
Knowing the difference between these two superproducts is critical to effectively cleaning our germaphobic world. Sanitisers and disinfectants keep us healthy but work differently to clean surfaces.
Did you know disinfectants can kill up to 99.999% of germs on a surface and sanitisers 99.9%? That small but significant difference can make all the difference in different cleaning situations.
Want to be a cleaning guru? Let’s get into the nitty gritty of sanitising and disinfecting to keep our spaces safe and clean.
Before we get started, check out our I-Fresh Commercial Cleaning Products for products that can tackle any cleaning job your business throws.
TL;DR: Disinfectants vs Sanitisers
- Disinfectants kill up to 99.999% of germs and are for hard surfaces. They have longer contact time and are more effective against more pathogens. Types include chlorine bleach, quats, hydrogen peroxide, and alcohol-based products.
- Sanitisers reduce germs to a safe level (99.9%) and are for surfaces and hands. They are faster and suitable for low-risk areas. Types include alcohol-based hand sanitisers and chlorine-based sanitisers.
- Use disinfectants for high-risk areas and when you need to kill all germs. Use sanitisers for everyday cleaning and when you need to reduce germs.
What is a Disinfectant? How Disinfecting Kills Germs
A disinfectant is a potent cleaning agent that kills germs on surfaces (including bacteria and viruses). Chemical disinfectants are essential in controlling infectious diseases, but they must be stored and used carefully to avoid accidental exposure, especially to children.
Unlike general cleaning, which removes dirt and other impurities, disinfecting goes further by targeting harmful microorganisms. Killing germs (disinfecting) is crucial for health and hygiene, especially in high-touch areas and during illness outbreaks.
The purpose of a disinfectant is to ensure disinfecting kills germs effectively, making surfaces safe to touch and reducing the risk of spreading illnesses.
Disinfecting products are used in homes, hospitals, commercial spaces and public areas to keep environments clean and protect against harmful bacteria and viruses.
The common disinfectants are:
- Chlorine bleach: A strong and widely used disinfectant that kills many microorganisms.
- Hydrogen peroxide: An eco-friendly option that breaks down into water and oxygen with no residue.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds: These disinfectants kill viruses and bacteria in healthcare settings.
- Alcohol-based products: They contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, kill many germs and evaporate fast.
- Phenolic compounds: Strong disinfectants used in hospitals and industrial settings that can penetrate and disinfect porous surfaces.
Want to use disinfectants correctly? Check out our guide to get any surface germ-free.
What is a Sanitiser? How Sanitisers Physically Remove Dirt
A sanitiser is a substance or product that reduces the number of germs on a surface or hands to a safe level as per public health standards. Sanitising doesn’t kill all germs but reduces them significantly to prevent the spread of infection. To get maximum results, removing visible dirt, spills, soils, and germs from surfaces is essential before sanitising.
Sanitisers are used when complete disinfection is not necessary or practical, such as in food preparation areas, on hands, or on surfaces that frequently come into contact with people.
Sanitising is faster than disinfecting and is used in low-risk areas. When soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitisers are used as a quick way to clean hands and reduce the risk of getting sick or spreading infection.
Common types of sanitisers used in homes and commercial areas:
- Alcohol-based hand sanitisers
- Chlorine-based sanitisers
- Quaternary ammonium compound sanitisers
- Iodine-based sanitisers
- Acid-based sanitisers (used in food processing)
- Hydrogen peroxide sanitisers
For a multipurpose solution, the I-Fresh Multipurpose Sanitiser Spray is the best option for various surfaces.
Chemical Disinfectants vs Sanitisers
While sanitisers and disinfectants are cleaning products for disease control, they differ significantly. Understanding these differences and the cleaning methods is crucial for proper application and getting the desired level of cleanliness.
Here are the main differences between sanitising and disinfecting:
- Effectiveness against microorganisms: Disinfectants kill a wider range of germs, bacteria, viruses and fungi. Sanitisers reduce the number of germs to a safe level but may not kill all types of microorganisms.
- Application: Disinfectants are applied to hard surfaces and left wet for a specific dwell time. Sanitisers, used on skin (hand sanitiser) and food surfaces, often require less contact time.
- Contact time: Disinfectants need longer contact time (dwell time) to be effective; sanitisers work faster.
- Concentration: Disinfectants have a higher concentration of active ingredients than sanitisers.
- Regulatory standards: In many countries, disinfectants are more regulated by agencies like EPA.
- Cleaning ability: Disinfectants don’t clean dirty surfaces and may require pre-cleaning. Sanitisers often have some cleaning properties.
- Use on organic matter: Disinfectants are more effective on organic matter than sanitisers.
- Skin contact: Many sanitisers are formulated for skin contact, while most disinfectants are not.
Follow label instructions, sanitise or disinfect surfaces properly, and prevent the spread of infection.
Want to know how these compare to greener cleaning agents? Check out our comparison.
When to Use Sanitisers and Disinfectants on Frequently Touched Surfaces
Sanitisers are used for routine cleaning in low-risk areas and food service settings. They reduce germs on surfaces that don’t harbour dangerous pathogens.
Use sanitisers on countertops, tables and hands when soap is not available. They’re for general cleanliness and to reduce the risk of getting sick.
But remember, the cleaning process (manual or mechanical) is vital to removing contaminants before sanitising.
Disinfectants are for high-risk areas or when dealing with known pathogens. You should use them in medical settings, bathrooms, or high-touch areas like toilet handles and light switches. Disinfecting is essential for disease control, especially in tropical medicine or as directed by a medical director.
Pros of sanitisers:
- Softer on surfaces
- Safer for skin contact
- Faster application
Cons of sanitisers:
- Not effective against specific pathogens
- Won’t eliminate all types of germs
Pros of disinfectants:
- Deeper germ elimination
- Effective against more pathogens
Cons of disinfectants:
- Harsher chemicals
- Longer contact time
- Not for all surfaces
Which one is for your space? Check out our top picks here.
Summary
The main difference between sanitising and disinfecting is effectiveness and application. Sanitising reduces the number of germs to a safe level; disinfecting eliminates a broader range of pathogens on surfaces. Knowing the difference is critical to proper hygiene in all areas.
Whether you’re dealing with general cleaning or specific health issues, choosing the right product—sanitisers or disinfectants—is vital to protecting against microorganisms. Knowing this, you decide correctly and keep your spaces clean, safe, and healthy.
To ensure you’re using the right products, check out the full range here at StellarChem.
FAQs
Is it better to disinfect or sanitise?
Disinfecting is stronger; it kills more germs. Sanitising reduces bugs to safer levels. Use disinfectants for tough jobs like bathroom surfaces and sanitisers for general cleaning.
What comes first, sanitise or disinfect?
Clean and sanitise first to remove dirt. Disinfect afterwards to kill the remaining germs. Dirt can reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants.
Are disinfection and sterilisation different?
Disinfection kills most bacteria on surfaces, while sterilisation kills all microorganisms. Sterilisation is for medical settings; disinfection is for general cleaning.
What are the differences between detergent, disinfectant, and sanitiser?
Detergents remove dirt, disinfectants kill germs, and sanitisers reduce bacteria to safer levels. Use detergent first, then sanitise or disinfect.