Clean Regularly and Clean First

Cleaning is an important first step to make sure you remove most germs from surfaces in your home. Using household cleaners that contain soap or detergent will remove germs and dirt on surfaces and reduces risk of infection from surfaces in your home. Cleaning alone removes most harmful viruses or bacteria from surfaces. Surfaces should be cleaned before they are sanitized or disinfected because impurities like dirt may make it harder for chemicals to get to and kill germs.

Sanitizing reduces the remaining germs on surfaces after cleaning.

Disinfecting can kill viruses and bacteria that remain on surfaces after cleaning. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading disease. But for everyday cleaning, you probably do not need to sanitize or disinfect unless someone in your home is sick or someone sick has recently visited.

Remember to clean first, and then sanitize or disinfect if needed.