WCICS Group LLC

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Providing commercial, vacancy and construction cleaning services throughout the Houston area.

Do you have a hard water build up problem? Give us a call 📞 254-432-4191
We can help you get your shine ✨ back.

What’s the difference between products that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces?

At EPA, products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides. Sanitizers and disinfectants are two types of antimicrobial pesticides.

Cleaning
Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergents.

EPA regulates cleaning products only if they sanitize or disinfect.

Sanitizing
Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses.

Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize.

Disinfecting
Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.

Yes, EPA registers products that disinfect. To find disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), see List N.

Using hand sanitizer
Using hand sanitizer kills pathogens on skin.

No, hand sanitizers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Surface disinfectant products are subject to more rigorous EPA testing requirements and must clear a higher bar for effectiveness than surface sanitizing products. Many products are registered with EPA as both sanitizers and disinfectants because they've been tested using both methods.

(Information obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.)