Cleaning, Sanitizing, Disinfecting: A Guide to a Healthier Virginia Beach Home

Preparing Your Home for a Healthy Cold & Flu Season

As the weather cools down in Virginia Beach, we all start spending more time indoors. While that means cozy evenings and family time, it also means it's easier for germs to spread. Preparing your home is one of the most proactive steps you can take to keep your family healthy during the upcoming cold and flu season.

But is a standard clean enough? Understanding the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting can help you create a truly healthier living environment.
 

Understanding the Lingo: A Quick Breakdown

 

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things.
 

Cleaning

Cleaning is the physical act of removing dirt, dust, crumbs, and germs from surfaces. This is always the essential first step. You can't effectively sanitize a dirty surface.
 

• Goal: Remove visible dirt and reduce the number of germs.
• Example: Wiping down a countertop with soap and water.

 

Sanitizing

Sanitizing involves using a chemical product to lower the number of remaining germs on a surface to a safe level, as defined by public health standards.
 

• Goal: Reduce bacteria to a safe level.
• Example: Using a food-safe sanitizing spray on kitchen counters after cleaning them.

 

Disinfecting

Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill virtually all viruses and bacteria on a surface. This is the most powerful step in germ warfare.
 

• Goal: Kill nearly 100% of germs.
• Example: Using a disinfectant wipe on a doorknob after a sick family member has touched it.

 

Your Home's High-Touch "Hot Spots" Checklist

 

During cold and flu season, focus your sanitizing efforts on the surfaces that get touched the most throughout the day.
 

• Doorknobs and cabinet handles
• Light switches
• TV remotes and game controllers
• Faucets and toilet handles
• Refrigerator and microwave handles
• Stair railings
• Countertops and table surfaces

 

The Professional Advantage: A Truly Healthy Clean

 

While wiping down hot spots is a great daily habit, a professional cleaning service provides a deeper level of clean that forms a strong foundation for a healthy home. The team at Gleam & Glisten Cleaning understands the science behind cleaning.

We know which products are safe and effective for every surface in your home. Crucially, we understand "dwell time," which is the amount of time a sanitizer or disinfectant must sit on a surface to be effective.

Our systematic, top-to-bottom approach ensures that your home isn't just visibly clean; it's professionally cleaned and sanitized for your family's well-being.
 

Give Your Family an Extra Layer of Protection