Our sense of smell tells us a lot about the world around us: what we’re in the mood to eat, whether or not rain is on the horizon, and how clean our space may be. But what if we told you that last point isn’t always so reliable? While a fresh, pleasant-smelling home may seem clean, it might actually just be perfumed. Read on if you find yourself asking, “Is it disinfected or just covered up?”
Is It Disinfected or Just Covered Up?
The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
First, let’s address what it means to disinfect a space. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “cleaning” refers to the removal of germs and dirt from surfaces. Cleaning may reduce the number of germs in a space, but it does not kill germs or lower the risk of infection that germs may carry. On the other hand, disinfecting involves using chemicals to actively kill germs. Of course, you should frequently clean hard surfaces like tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, cell phones, toilets, faucets, and kitchen counters – but you also need to disinfect these surfaces to truly eliminate the germs that can make you sick.
The Problem with Air Fresheners
You walk into your home, and you notice a pleasant smell right away. Maybe your spouse has lit a new candle, or your roommate has sprayed a lavender-scented room spray. But then you make your way to the kitchen and find the counters piled high with dirty dishes and food debris. Is your home clean and disinfected, or are harmful germs just being masked by a nice smell? In this scenario, the latter is true.
That brings us to the problem with our odor obsession. From laundry detergents to body sprays, Americans are obsessed with clean smells. From body odors to offices and auto interiors, Americans want everything to have a pleasant scent. Manufacturers react to market drivers, so everywhere you look, product advertisements focus on cleanliness and freshness, using images of swaying pine trees and bright white laundry to peddle their wares. These images are tempting – but the truth is that “clean” fragrances often just cover up the sinister bacteria that lies beneath. In reality, spraying a citrus-scented room spray doesn’t make a room any cleaner than spraying a can’s worth of nonstick cooking spray.
Getting to the Bottom of Germs
Instead of covering up funky smells with powerful air fresheners, you should direct your energy to disinfecting those areas. Start with obvious spots like hard surfaces, litter boxes, garbage cans, and pet beds, all of which can harbor odors. If you’re not sure which products to use to achieve a truly clean space, look to SafeSpace Company® products. For general household and business spaces, as well as crowded areas like classrooms, try the original, EPA-approved SafeSpace® Disinfectant & Deodorizing Germ Fogger. Our signature fogger contains a hospital-grade contact disinfectant that can kill up to 99 percent of the germs responsible for colds, flu, staph, MRSA, and many more. The same approach goes for your vehicle. Skip the cloying car freshener and work toward a truly clean car, instead. Our Auto Disinfecting & Deodorizing Mist generates an ultra-fine, contact mist that leaves no spots, stains, or residue. Instead of masking smells, it eliminates odor-producing organisms.
At the end of the day, a clean home should smell like – well, nothing. The good news is that a disinfected space doesn’t need a fragrance, as disinfecting kills most odor-causing bacteria. And if you love a scent, you can always light a candle after your disinfecting is done.
If you need some help properly disinfecting your space, check out SafeSpace Company®. For general household and business spaces, as well as crowded areas like classrooms, try the original, EPA-approved SafeSpace® Disinfectant & Deodorizing Germ Fogger. For more information, give us a call at 1-800-735-2506.
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