Disinfecting vs. Cleaning: What’s Most Important in Winter?

Winter in Australia brings cool breezes, cosy nights, and unfortunately, a rise in sniffles, coughs, and flu cases. As temperatures drop, Australians naturally spend more time indoors, making the spread of germs and viruses easier than ever. With winter illnesses on the rise, keeping your home or workplace clean and safe becomes a top priority. But when it comes to protecting your family or employees, is disinfecting more important than cleaning — or vice versa?

Many people confuse cleaning and disinfecting, using the terms interchangeably. However, understanding the difference is key to effective winter hygiene. Both cleaning and disinfecting play crucial roles in reducing germs and keeping spaces healthy. This article will break down the distinctions between these two essential tasks and provide practical winter cleaning tips for Australian homes and businesses.

At Clean Co, we’re experts in winter hygiene and committed to helping Australians maintain safe, germ-free environments throughout the colder months. Read on to discover how you can protect your loved ones and colleagues this winter with the right cleaning and disinfecting strategies.

What is cleaning?

Cleaning is the physical removal of dirt, dust, organic matter, and some germs from surfaces. It involves mechanical actions like scrubbing, wiping, and rinsing with soap and water or general cleaning products. By removing visible contaminants, cleaning helps maintain a tidy and visually appealing space.

In winter, cleaning offers important benefits beyond just appearances. Dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens often accumulate in closed indoor environments, triggering respiratory issues that worsen cold symptoms. Regular cleaning reduces these allergens and prepares surfaces for effective disinfection.

Common winter cleaning tasks include wiping down benchtops, vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, and dusting surfaces. These routine activities help prevent buildup that can harbour germs and allergens.

Prioritise cleaning as daily maintenance, especially before disinfecting. Remember, disinfectants work best on clean surfaces — dirt and grime can interfere with their effectiveness.

Winter cleaning tips for Australian homes include using appropriate cleaning products that tackle winter-specific messes like mud and damp debris. Following a winter house cleaning checklist ensures no area is overlooked.

What is disinfecting?

Disinfecting means using chemical products designed to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens on surfaces. Unlike cleaning, disinfecting does not remove dirt or grime — its purpose is to destroy the microorganisms that can cause illness.

Disinfectants must be applied correctly to work effectively. This means allowing the product enough “dwell time” or contact time on the surface to kill germs thoroughly. Using Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved disinfectants guarantees you are using safe and effective products suitable for Australian conditions.

The key difference from cleaning is that disinfecting targets and kills germs but cannot do so effectively if the surface is dirty. Therefore, cleaning before disinfecting is essential.

In the Australian winter months (June to August), disinfecting is especially important to prevent the spread of seasonal viruses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus, and the common cold. It protects vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals and provides peace of mind in homes and high-traffic workplaces.

Common targets for disinfection include high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, mobile phones, and kitchen handles.

Disinfect more often during peak flu season and anytime someone is sick in your household or office.

Why Winter Requires a Combined Strategy

Winter creates the perfect storm for germs to thrive. Cold, dry indoor air allows viruses to survive longer on surfaces, increasing the risk of transmission. Australians spend more time indoors in closer proximity, further facilitating the spread of infections. Additionally, cold weather can weaken immune responses, making individuals more susceptible to illness.

The most effective winter hygiene approach is a one-two punch: clean first, then disinfect. Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter that can inactivate disinfectants, ensuring that the disinfectant can reach and kill germs properly.

Winter hotspots to focus on include:

• Homes: kitchens, bathrooms, and children’s play areas.
• Workplaces: Desks, meeting rooms, break rooms, shared equipment.
• Public spaces: gyms, childcare centres, aged care facilities, schools, and retail outlets.

Adopting this combined strategy helps reduce the spread of winter illnesses and keeps your environment safe.

Common Mistakes People Make

Even with the best intentions, people often make errors that reduce cleaning and disinfecting effectiveness:

• Using disinfectant on dirty surfaces: Dirt and grime shield germs from disinfectants.
• Not allowing sufficient dwell time: Wiping off disinfectants too soon stops them from killing germs.
• Using non-TGA-approved products: These may not be effective or safe.
• Overusing disinfectants: Excessive use can damage surfaces and lead to chemical exposure.
• Misunderstanding “natural” products: Many do not have proven disinfecting power and should not replace effective disinfectants.

Avoiding these mistakes is key to winter hygiene success.

Practical Winter Hygiene Tips for Homes & Businesses

• Choose the Right Products: Use eco-friendly, general-purpose cleaners for routine cleaning. For disinfecting, always pick TGA-registered products.
• Read and Follow Labels: Pay attention to dwell time, dilution instructions, and safety precautions.
• Focus on High-Touch Surfaces: Clean and disinfect doorknobs, light switches, phones, keyboards, taps, and toilet flush handles daily.
• Ventilate Regularly: Open windows for short periods, even in winter, to improve air circulation.
• Practice Personal Hygiene: Encourage regular handwashing, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Set a Cleaning Schedule:
  • Daily cleaning for high-touch areas.
  • Weekly deep cleaning for less frequently touched surfaces.
  • Extra disinfection after illness or public gatherings.

Following these steps will help you maintain a healthier indoor environment through the winter season.

When to Call in the Professionals

While many winter cleaning tasks can be managed in-house, there are situations where professional services are invaluable:

• Professionals have the expertise and industrial-grade equipment needed for deep cleaning and thorough disinfecting.
• Access to hospital-grade, TGA-approved disinfectants ensures maximum germ kill.
• Advanced methods like fogging and electrostatic spraying provide comprehensive coverage.
• Hiring professionals saves time and allows businesses to focus on core operations.

Professional cleaning is particularly important after illness outbreaks, in high-traffic commercial spaces like schools, gyms, aged care facilities, and during peak flu season.

Protect your family, staff, and customers with Clean Co’s expert winter cleaning and disinfecting services.

Conclusion

In summary, cleaning removes dirt and germs, while disinfecting kills the remaining germs on surfaces. Both are essential, especially during the Australian winter when viruses spread more easily. The best defence is to clean first, then disinfect — a simple yet powerful approach to protect your home, workplace, and loved ones.

At Clean Co, we are dedicated to helping Australians maintain safe, hygienic environments year-round with professional, reliable cleaning and disinfecting services tailored for winter conditions.

Contact Clean Co today for a free consultation and let us help keep your home or workplace winter-safe and germ-free.

Bonus Research Snippets

• Each winter, Australia experiences approximately 3,000 hospitalisations due to flu complications (Australian Department of Health, 2023).
• Influenza viruses can survive on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours in cold, dry conditions (World Health Organization).
• Always choose disinfectants registered with Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for safety and effectiveness.