What Is the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting for COVID-19?

December 01, 2020

Cleaning and disinfecting are two sides of the same coin. Cleaning alone is not enough to get rid of germs and bacteria but disinfecting without cleaning is not enough either. Both are necessary if we want to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released its Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting, which outlines in detail a plan for re-opening America in light of the pandemic as well as overall guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. The document focuses on cleaning and disinfecting as it relates to COVID-19 specifically, but many of the principles and habits discussed here can be applied to our lives regardless of a pandemic. According to the guide, "Reopening America requires all of us to move forward together by practicing social distancing and other daily habits to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19." The guide goes on to say that cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, including your workplace, school, home, and business requires you to develop a plan, implement your plan, and revise the plan as needed.


The pandemic has shown us just how vulnerable we are on many levels when it comes to germs, bacteria, and viruses. The CDC emphasizes the importance of cleaning and sanitizing for COVID-19. While it is important to maintain a clean, well-disinfected space at all times, it becomes even more important during an outbreak, particularly when the country continues to go about its daily business. The CDC says that "Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces." They stress that this is something we should always be concerned with, but with COVID-19 still, on the rise, cleaning and disinfecting regularly becomes even more important. For this reason, all businesses should develop and implement a plan to ensure the safety of those who come into contact with them. This includes schools, daycares, offices, stores, restaurants, medical facilities, long-term care facilities, and anywhere the public gathers. Social distancing guidelines and masks are not enough. They should be used in conjunction with a thorough cleaning and disinfecting routine.

Business owners and consumers nationwide are starting to pay attention to this. An emphasis on cleaning and disinfecting is becoming the new normal. There are companies suddenly cropping up with products and services aimed at cleaning and sanitizing. Germinator has been in the business of sanitizing and disinfecting for years. We're not new to the game. We've always understood the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. Our customers understand that too. While COVID-19 has placed a great deal of emphasis on reducing the threat of germs and viruses, Germinator has emphasized this since we started. COVID-19 has shown all of us just how vulnerable we are. Reports tell us that this won't be the last virus to cause a problem, which is why we stress being prepared.

Our patent-pending process is the ideal way to reduce the threat of germs and bacteria in an efficient way:

Step 1 – Test Surfaces:
We first test your surfaces for ATP using a luminometer to detect light that can come from cellular activity. This measurement immediately tells us the level of clean on your surfaces.

Step 2 – Application of Genesis Surface Treatment:
Genesis is a one-step cleaner and broad-spectrum sanitizer and disinfectant treatment that harnesses the power of HOCl (hypochlorous acid) solution. Derived from naturally occurring minerals, Genesis not only eliminates odors at their source but kills a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and viruses including norovirus, rotavirus and adenovirus on hard, non-porous, environmental surfaces. It meets the AOAC germicidal spray standards for Hospital Grade Disinfection and is on the EPA N List of products determined to meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result, this treatment will eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.

Step 3 – Application of Bacteriostatic Finish:
The Shield is a water-based quaternary ammonium compound that imparts a durable bacteriostatic finish to a wide range of non-food contact surfaces. It is EPA-registered as effective against mold, mildew, algae, and odor-causing bacteria. This application creates an invisible barrier that combats deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months.

The Genesis and Shield products are applied by using an electrostatic sprayer, which is the most efficient and effective means of delivering the products to the intended application sites.

Step 4 – Retest Surfaces:
After our surface treatment and protectant services, we retest to ensure the surfaces have achieved the intended results.

At Germinator, we are proud of our ability to provide consumers with a way to sanitize and disinfect the places where they work, live, and play. It's affordable, effective and also very convenient. We come to you on your schedule, do the work, and leave your home, business, and organization clean and disinfected. We are the best choice for your sanitizing and disinfecting needs for many reasons:

• Knowledge and experience. This is our specialty. Since 2015, we have been 100% focused on just sanitizing and disinfection services. We have conducted extensive studies based on experiments with other methods like ozone, UV light, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, and other quats. These studies were reviewed by our Scientific Board comprised of top medical professionals, including a former Assistant Surgeon General for five administrations.


• Product Efficacy. Based on this review, Germinator acquired the products that would provide the most effective combination for cleaning and disinfecting and protection services available for commercial applications on the market. Our products are EPA registered as effective for their intended uses and further validated by our own Scientific Board.


• Patent Pending. The methodology developed by Germinator is patent-pending and is the most unique and cost-effective means of providing enhanced antimicrobial protection for your environment.


• Professionalism. Germinator's goal is to exceed your expectations. We achieve this by a commitment to excellence in our products and services. Our highly trained staff will treat you with respect and professionalism in all interactions.


• Cost-Effectiveness. Germinator uses state of the art services at the most competitive and cost-effective prices available. Germinator's program improves upon routine janitorial services that use more harsh chemicals and have limited application capabilities.


• Verification. Germinator is so confident in the efficacy of its program that it includes a verification component. For each application, we verify that the surface treatment and protectant services have achieved the intended results. We stand by our program.

The latest news on possible COVID-19 vaccines has us excited, but it's important not to let your guard down. Proper sanitizing and disinfecting is still important for the success of the COVID-19 vaccine. A vaccine is meant to prepare your body to fight infection if it is exposed, and proper cleaning and disinfecting helps reduce your exposure, so proper cleaning and disinfecting is critical toward the success of a vaccine. The CDC posts specific guidelines about proper cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting for the flu and other viruses on their website, even though a vaccine for the flu exists. This will apply COVID-19 too. A vaccine for any virus does not eliminate the need to keep your environment as free of germs and bacteria as possible. The combination of sanitizing and disinfecting and the vaccines, according to the CDC, work together to achieve the best results.

Germinator is a great way to sanitize and disinfect. Many products aimed at cleaning and disinfecting contain harsh chemicals. Not Germinator. Upholding the highest standards of sanitization and disinfecting, we only make claims that are scientifically supported and within EPA regulations. To research and further validate its practice of sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces, the company recently created the Germinator Scientific Advisory Board. The board is made up of key leaders such as Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. —who was an Assistant to the United States Surgeon General for five administrations.

To learn more about how you can get Germinator into your facility, call us at 855-NO-GERMZ (664-3769) to find a location near you. Let us help you get ahead of germs and bacteria with a proactive approach to sanitizing and disinfecting your home or business.