Step 1: Cleaning

Cleaning is the first step in infection control

Cleaning is a mechanical process using soap and water or detergent and water to remove all visible dirt, debris, and many disease causing germs.

Cleaning ALSO removes invisible debris, oil, residue that might interfere from disinfectants from being able to work properly.

There are three ways to clean your tools and implements:

• Washing with soap and warm water and then scrubbing them with a clean and properly disinfected nailbrush

• Using an ultrasonic unit

• Using a chemical cleaner

When you are cleaning, you must remove all visible and surface dirt and debris from tools, implements, and equipment by washing them with: liquid soap (or detergent) and warm water, (or a chemical cleaner), and using a clean an disinfected brush to scrub any grooved or hinged portions of the item.

A surface must be properly cleaned before it can be properly disinfected. Using a disinfectant without cleaning first is like using mouthwash without brushing your teeth — it just does not work properly!

Applying antiseptics to your skin or washing your hands with soap and water will drastically lower the number of pathogens on your hands.