Toronto, Ontario — For automotive industries, navigating the new COVID-19 cleaning protocols can be tricky. With so many different types of cleaning materials on the market, confusion is bound to happen. Understanding the proper use of cleaners, disinfectants and how they work together is essential in minimizing risk.
CRC Canada, a Toronto-based chemical wholesaler, has released a technical bulletin entitled, ‘The Urgent Need for Proper Workplace Cleaning and Disinfecting of Hard Non-Porous Surfaces’ to help eliminate some of this confusion by explaining the different types of cleaning products and their specific functions.
CRC says that cleaning products can fall under four categories: cleaner, sanitizer, disinfectant, and sterilant—each serving a different purpose in the cleaning process.
CRC’s breakdown of the four types of cleaning products are as follows:
| Cleaner | Sanitizer | Disinfectant | Sterilant |
| Removes dirt and contaminants from surfaces
Prepares surface for sanitizing or disinfecting treatments Can remove germs, but does not kill them |
Targets bacteria
Lowers the amount of bacteria on surfaces to a level considered ‘safe’ under public health standards Most commonly used on food contact surfaces |
Targets bacteria, viruses, and/or fungi (many disinfectants target all three)
Kills active bacteria, viruses and fungi for which it makes claims (refer to product label) |
Targets bacteria, viruses and fungi Kills both active microbes and spores
Commonly used in medical applications |
| No Registration Required | EPA Registration Required | EPA Registration Required | EPA or FDA Registration Required |
Click here for more information on CRC’s technical bulletin.
