Simplifying Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing

Remember once upon a time, when the biggest villains in the kitchen and dining room were E. coli and norovirus? And those were the good old days from today’s perspective. Now that our roster of dangers has grown as quickly and dramatically as it has, cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing have become a central part of our foodservice operations, serving the dual purpose of safety and visual reassurance to those we serve.

The distinction between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing can be confusing, however, which can lead to safety gaps. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the following clear and helpful explanation of the differences on cdc.gov:

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

 

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.

 

Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

If you’re currently using multiple products to clean, sanitize, and disinfect, we have great news that can help you streamline the process. Our friends at TableCraft recently introduced us to Nu-Foamicide, a one-step cleaner and disinfectant that reduces the number of products needed to clean and sanitize, simplifying these critical processes and ensuring that no important steps are missed. Most importantly, Nu-Foamicide is approved by the EPA to fight against COVID-19, and it’s made in USA by Glissen Chemical, a trusted manufacturer that has been in business since 1930.

Nu-Foamicide is a highly concentrated solution, which translates to 32 gallons of cleaning and disinfecting solution packed into a single one-gallon container. Once diluted with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it can be used in a bucket or basin, trigger spray bottle, or an electric sprayer. Nu-Foamicide cleans and sanitizes non-porous hard surfaces reducing 99.999% of germs and bacteria. To sanitize, the solution needs to be left on for 60 seconds followed by removing any excess fluid with a cloth. As a sanitizer, it is safe for food contact surfaces.

To disinfect non-porous hard surfaces, the solution must be left on for 10 minutes followed by removing any excess fluid with a cloth. Nu-Foamicide will kill most viruses and bacteria and fight against Covid-19. As with any chemical, it’s essential to carefully follow the instructions on the label and use only as directed to ensure safe and effective use.

Ready to streamline your cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting protocol? Contact us!