Comparatively Speaking: Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting and Sterilizing December 22, 2020 Contact Author Tony O Lenick, Nascent Technologies, with Rick Theiner, Evonik
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Cleaning
Cleaning is the process by which primarily organic materials, such as dirt, soil or biofilms, are removed. It is a chemical process as well as a physical process. The soil is either dissolved or emulsified into water. Detergents and surface active agents are commonly used to clean. Cleaning and sanitizing are carried out in separate steps since dirt, soil or biofilms need to be cleaned before sanitizing. Soap is an example of a material that cleans and also provides some sanitization.