When running a professional cleaning business, it’s essential to understand the key difference between cleaning and disinfecting. These terms are often confused, but each serves a distinct purpose in protecting health, ensuring safety, and delivering excellent service to your clients.
What is Cleaning?Cleaning is the process of removing dirt, dust, debris, and some germs from surfaces.
How it works:By using soap or detergent with water, your team physically lifts contaminants off surfaces.An excellent product for this task is our Red Juice, a powerful yet non-toxic cleaner that effectively removes grime without harming surfaces — perfect for daily cleaning routines.
Purpose:
Removes dirt and cleans the surface.
Significantly reduces the number of germs by physically removing them, though it does not kill all pathogens
When to Clean:
As part of your daily/weekly cleaning routine.
Before sanitizing or disinfecting (essential—disinfectants don’t work on dirty surfaces!).
What is Disinfecting?
Disinfecting goes a step further by using chemicals designed to kill germs like viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
How it works:Disinfectants must remain on surfaces for a specific contact time to be effective.
Purpose:Eliminates most pathogens, reducing the risk of infection.Critical after illness or in healthcare settings.
An excellent disinfecting solution we recommend is our Maxim — a powerful and safe hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner and disinfectant.
Maxim Features:
Kills common viruses like SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and the flu in just 1 minute
Fragrance-free and gentle on surfaces
EPA approved and safe for use in various environments
Compatible with electrostatic sprayers
Ideal for use with 100% cotton or microfiber cloths
Description:Maxim is a one-step hospital-use germicidal cleaner and deodorizer, perfect for cleaning and disinfecting hard, non-porous surfaces. It also helps control mold and mildew odors.
Directions for Use as a One-Step Cleaner/Disinfectant:
Dilute 2 oz of Maxim per gallon of water
Spray surface until visibly wet
Allow the surface to remain wet for the recommended contact time
Wipe dry or let air dry (follow label instructions)
Applications:Perfect for:
Food service areas
Hotels
Schools, offices, public buildings, and more
Ready-to-Use on:Aluminum, chrome, finished floors, glass, glazed ceramic and porcelain, Formica®, laminate, metal, mirrors, plastic (like polycarbonate and polypropylene), Plexiglas®, sealed concrete and stone, stainless steel, vinyl, and washable wallpaper.
(!)Sanitize:To reduce the number of germs on a surface to a safe level, but not necessarily kill all of them. It lowers bacteria to help prevent illness.
When to Disinfect:
After someone has been sick.
In high-risk environments such as hospitals or public restrooms.
On high-touch surfaces: doorknobs, switches, elevator buttons.
Why Cleaning Should Come Before Disinfecting
Important: Disinfectants do not work effectively on dirty surfaces. Dirt and grime act as barriers, preventing disinfectants from reaching and killing germs.
Best practice for professional cleaners:
Clean the surface first with detergent and water.
Then, disinfect if necessary, following product instructions for contact time.
Why You Shouldn’t Always Disinfect
While disinfecting is a powerful tool, overusing disinfectants can be harmful:
❗ Health Risks: Regular exposure to strong disinfectants can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues for your staff and clients.❗ Environmental Impact: Many disinfectants contain chemicals that can harm ecosystems when overused.❗ Surface Damage: Frequent use can damage or discolor surfaces, especially delicate materials.❗ Cost: Disinfectants are generally more expensive than regular cleaning products.
When Is Cleaning Enough?
For many environments, especially low-risk areas, cleaning alone is sufficient to maintain hygiene.
Examples:
Office desks and floors without known contamination.
Residential surfaces where no illness is present.
This approach reduces chemical exposure and protects the longevity of surfaces.
Recommended Approach for Cleaning Businesses
Step 1: Always start by cleaning.Step 2: Disinfect only when necessary—such as after illness or in high-risk settings.
This tiered approach will:✔ Protect your team and clients’ health.✔ Extend the life of client property.✔ Save your business money.
Final Thoughts for Cleaning Professionals
Understanding the difference between cleaning and disinfecting is critical for:
✔ Delivering professional, high-quality services.✔ Protecting your cleaning team from unnecessary chemical exposure.✔ Building trust with clients by using safe and effective methods.
Be Prepared When Flu Season Arrives!
Flu season may not be here yet, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared in advance with the right cleaning tools and products to protect your clients, your team, and your business.
Our Recommended Bundle:
Maxim Facility+ Disinfectant, Cleaner, and DeodorantA one-step, hospital-grade germicidal cleaner and deodorizer designed for general cleaning, disinfecting, and controlling mold and mildew odors on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Proven effective against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in just 1 minute.
Safe for use with electrostatic sprayers.
Ideal when paired with 100% Cotton Cleaning Cloths or microfiber cloths for thorough and efficient application.
Red JuiceOur trusted all-purpose, heavy-duty cleaner and degreaser:
Non-toxic, odorless, and safe around food.
100% biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly option for professional cleaning.
Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, countertops, walls, light switches, patio furniture, grills, and much more!
One 32 oz. concentrate makes up to 20 bottles of ready-to-use cleaner—great value for your business.
Microfiber Cleaning ClothsAn essential tool for professional cleaners:
Durable, bacteria-resistant, and highly efficient.
Made with millions of split fibers that trap dirt and dust while absorbing liquids several times their weight.
Perfect for dusting and general cleaning without excessive chemical use.
By mastering when to clean and when to disinfect, your cleaning business will not only ensure client satisfaction but also contribute to a healthier environment for everyone.
Need non-toxic cleaning products for your professional cleaning business?
Check out our range of safe, effective solutions—perfect for pros who care about health, quality, and sustainability!