Cleaning vs Disinfecting: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters for Your Family’s Health

What’s the Difference Between Clean and Disinfected?

This may seem like a trivial question, but understanding this difference can help you minimize your family's and pets' exposure to harmful chemicals.

Cleaning means physically removing dirt, crumbs, food residue, sticky spots, and everyday grime from surfaces. Cleaning also removes most germs, allergens, and impurities from objects and surfaces. As a result, cleaning is usually enough to maintain a healthy home.

On the other hand, disinfecting kills bacteria, viruses, and other microbes on surfaces. Generally reserved for higher-risk situations (think raw meat or illness), disinfecting typically involves using stronger, toxin-filled chemicals.

Not sure when to clean or disinfect? Here’s a list of what to keep in mind when deciding whether a situation calls for cleaning vs disinfecting:

When to Clean

• Everyday messes like food spills on countertops, sticky fingerprints on appliances, and splatters on mirrors.
• Dust magnets like bookcases, coffee tables, and nightstands.
• Hard floors made of tile, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, or linoleum. 

When to Disinfect

• After illness or to reduce the risk of spreading germs.
• When cleaning up after raw animal products (meat, poultry, eggs, etc.).
• When someone is at higher risk of getting sick due to a weakened immune system.

Why You Should Use Disinfectants Sparingly

Overusing disinfectants can disrupt your home’s healthy balance (aka microbiome), leaving behind harsh chemical residues that are especially concerning on surfaces where your children or pets play and eat.

That’s because residual disinfectant products can sometimes cause skin or respiratory irritation, and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance when misused.

So it’s important to only disinfect surfaces when absolutely necessary. For most daily cleaning tasks, like wiping down high chairs, door handles, or the kitchen counter, cleaning with a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner will get rid of nasty germs without killing all the good bacteria.

Does a Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner Really Work?

Truly Free Home’s Everyday Cleaner delivers serious cleaning power—without the toxic trade-offs. Its secret?

Cocamine oxide, a plant fatty acid that acts as a natural surfactant to cut through grease, grime, and sticky messes. Instead of masking dirt with toxic fragrances, this formula foams up naturally to lift away buildup and allergens on all your hard surfaces.

It’s powerful enough for stainless steel and kitchen countertops, yet gentle enough for toys, tables, and everyday family spaces, so you can clean confidently, knowing your home is as safe as it is spotless.