You might notice that some cleaning businesses have a sanitizing or disinfecting service. Although cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing are not the same process, they are closely related. This year, keeping the home safe and sanitized should be a priority for homeowners.  In this blog, you'll learn what to expect from a professional home sanitizing service.

Cleaning and sanitizing are the same?

Understanding the difference between sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning could be complex, but bear with me. Bacteria and microscopic organisms are present in most environments, including your home. While many microorganisms are harmless to humans, others can cause serious diseases. By sanitizing, we mean lowering the number of disease-causing organisms (also called pathogens) to a safe level. Sanitization can be done by removing the pathogens from the surface (cleaning) or by killing the pathogens with a chemical that destroys them on contact (disinfecting). 

Why we should sanitize our homes

Disinfecting and sanitizing your home is important to prevent pathogens and diseases from spreading, keeping your household safe and healthy. Disinfecting highly touched surfaces is crucial to eliminate the viruses, foodborne bacteria, bathroom germs, and other pathogens lurking in your home. When you hire a professional to sanitize your home, you should expect them to clean and disinfect the surfaces where pathogens might be. 

How professionals sanitize my home?

The first part of sanitizing a space is cleaning to remove dirt and most germs. After cleaning, professionals use adequate disinfectants and follow the product's instructions to maximize effectiveness. A disinfectant is a chemical product that kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens on surfaces and environments. As pathogens are invisible to the naked eye, using EPA-approved disinfectants is the only way to ensure your home is safe for everyone. 

Could I do the disinfecting myself?

Most homeowners have disinfectants and sanitizer products stored with other cleaning supplies. These products are commonly used during daily chores, but homeowners usually don't focus on disinfecting. While you could disinfect your home following the proper guidelines, disinfectants have strict procedures and contact times for killing specific pathogens. When a task is as important as disinfection, letting professionals take the job is the safer choice. 

NOTE: Remember that disinfectants are harsh chemicals that can be harmful to humans and animals. You should always use disinfectants with care.

When do I need to sanitize my home?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized how important it is to live in a sanitized and disinfected environment. The CDC recommends cleaning your home regularly to prevent diseases from spreading. However, Hiring a professional sanitizing service to disinfect your entire house every few months helps eliminate hidden bacteria and germs. 

CHRIStal clean cares for your health. We offer a preventive sanitization service for homes and offices to help you build a safe space. We take disinfection very seriously; that's why we only use hospital grade, CDC approved, and non-toxic disinfectants. To make sure we are disinfecting where pathogens are, we focus on the high traffic areas using our "High Touch Point Sanitization" system. Request your quote now and make sure your home is safe!

With a newborn arriving, or an enthusiastic toddler at home, you need to make some routine changes and home improvements to ensure safety. Most changes come from common sense and experience during parenthood, but you can get ahead with these nine quick tips for a baby-proof home. 

1. Ensure Safe Nights

A crib has to be manufactured according to safety standards. However, you need to follow certain practices to make sure your newborn is sleeping safely. Plush toys, soft beddings, and bumpers must stay out of the crib to prevent suffocation. Position the crib with care; install it far from windows, lamps, cords, or any decoration.

2. Secure Furnishings

When a toddler is feeling adventurous, they can try to use a dresser or bookshelf to climb. A TV on a dresser can be a huge danger for your child. Secure all heavy furniture with straps to prevent them from tipping over, and use bumpers on sharp furniture edges within your child's reach.

3. Keep Electricity Away From Your Child

Securing electrical outlets is one of the essential must-do tips to baby-proof your home. With a toddler crawling around your living room, you need to replace your electric outlet covers with baby-proof ones. Avoid using individual plugin covers; your kid can take those off easily.

4. Keep Cords Out of Reach

Any dangling cords on your windows and appliances can become hazards. You can keep blind cords out of reach or tie them high. Also, it is better to unplug and store rarely-used appliances.

5. Protect the Windows

You can install child-proof screens or guards to ensure windows aren't a risk for your child's safety. If you have climbable furniture near a window, consider moving it.

6. Buy the Right Toys

If a toy fits in your child's mouth, it's not safe! Stuffed toys may seem lovely, but their small pieces can be dangerous for your kid. Always check for loose parts and disinfect toys frequently. You can use your dishwasher to sanitize plastic toys.

7. Keep the Bathroom Safe for Kids

To make your shower child-proof, install a temperature guard on your water heater, use anti-slip mats on the tub's bottom, and add a soft cover on the faucet and hard surfaces. As a general rule, your children must never be alone in a bathtub. 

8. Close the Doors

If you can't child-proof a room, it's better to keep the door closed. You can get doorknob covers to prevent your toddler from opening or closing a door accidentally. If your house has multiple stories, consider installing stair doors.

9. Store Safely

When your toddler starts moving around your home, the place where you store your household products and appliances becomes highly relevant. If you stock cleaning supplies at floor level, always keep them under lock and key. Lock doors on all cabinets and cupboards where you don't want your child poking around.Speaking about safety, we know how important it is to live in a disinfected and clean space—important for kids and grown-ups alike! However, parenthood can take most of your time. If you need help with your household chores, let CHRISTal Clean lend you a hand! We are professional cleaners serving the Mukwonago area. Get a free quote now!