Disinfectant Vs Cleansing Wipes: What's The Difference & Why It Matters For Your Cleaning Routine

Wipes are a convenient cleaning tool to have around the house, but do you know what the type of wipes you have are designed to do? Most people tend to think they are all interchangeable, but cleansing wipes and disinfectant wipes aren't actually the same. And if you don't know the difference, your wipes might be a cleaning product you've been using the wrong way all along. Cleansing wipes remove dirt and grime from the surface, while disinfectant wipes kill pathogens like bacteria and viruses.

The ingredients and how they are designed are different, too. Cleansing wipes contain a soap or detergent component, mixed with water, and are designed to absorb. This allows the wipe to break up any oily residue or dirt and pick it up off the surface. Disinfectant wipes contain chemicals that are effective against microorganisms, to kill bacteria and viruses, and are designed to leave the surface wet, giving the chemicals time to work effectively. Understanding the difference in wipes can help you figure out how to have a cleaner home.

When you put in the effort to clean your home, you want to make sure you're making the most effective use of your time. No one wants to clean their whole kitchen only to find out that nothing actually got disinfected, which is a good reason why you should think twice the next time you use disinfectant wipes. If you're only using disinfectant wipes on their own, it's probably not doing exactly what you think it's doing. In order for the disinfectant wipes to work appropriately, the surface first needs to be cleaned with some type of soap and water or a regular cleansing wipe. This will remove any dust, dirt, or particles that can make it harder for the disinfectant to work.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned the surface, then you can go over it with a disinfectant wipe. When you disinfect, make sure you're leaving the disinfectant on the surface long enough for it to do its job. The chemicals on the wipe need time to work. The label on the container will have directions for how long the product needs to saturate the surface in order to effectively kill germs. Disinfecting takes more time than just giving it a quick swipe, and you might not need to disinfect every time you clean. However, doing it when someone in the home is or has been sick is a good idea.