In the world of restoration and cleaning, the term "clean" is often more complex than meets the eye. While most people think of "clean" as simply removing visible dirt, true cleanliness, particularly in environments impacted by biohazards or severe damage, goes beyond surface-level appearances.
At Steamatic Australia, we adhere to a comprehensive process to ensure spaces are not just clean but truly safe and habitable. But how do you know when clean is really clean? It comes down to understanding the four critical levels of cleanliness: Cleaning, Sanitisation, Disinfection, and Elimination.
Understanding Levels of Cleanliness: Cleaning, Sanitisation, Disinfection, and Elimination
Level 1: Cleaning
Cleaning is the first step in any restoration process, and it’s the one we’re all most familiar with. It involves the removal of visible dirt, dust, debris, and organic matter from surfaces. This is what many people consider “basic cleaning,” using water, detergents, and scrubbing to make a space look tidy.
But in situations such as after a flood, fire, or biohazard event, cleaning alone isn’t enough. While it creates a cleaner environment and improves aesthetics, it doesn’t address invisible threats like bacteria, viruses, or mould spores that may be lurking below the surface. This is where the deeper levels of cleanliness come into play.
Level 2: Sanitisation
After a thorough cleaning, the next step is sanitisation. This process reduces the number of germs on a surface to a safe level, as judged by public health standards. Sanitisation doesn’t necessarily eliminate all pathogens but focuses on lowering their numbers to reduce the risk of infection.
In restoration projects, such as water or storm damage, sanitisation is critical in making homes and commercial spaces safe for reoccupation. Our IICRC-Certified technicians use specialised equipment and safe, effective sanitising agents to ensure that germs and bacteria are significantly reduced, making your environment safer for everyday use.
Level 3: Disinfection
The third level—disinfection—takes the cleaning process a step further. Disinfection is about killing nearly all harmful germs, viruses, and bacteria present on surfaces, dramatically reducing the risk of spreading diseases. This process is essential in cases where biohazards are involved, such as sewage backups or after outbreaks of contagious diseases.
At Steamatic Australia, we use hospital-grade disinfectants as part of our deep-clean protocols to eliminate pathogens in the hardest-hit areas. Disinfection ensures that surfaces are not only visibly clean but that the harmful microbes that can pose health risks are neutralised. Our technicians use state-of-the-art fogging machines and specialised sprays to target hard-to-reach areas, ensuring thorough disinfection.
Level 4: Elimination
In some extreme situations—such as mould remediation, biohazard cleaning, or during pandemic responses—the ultimate goal is elimination. Elimination refers to the complete removal or destruction of all contaminants, whether they are visible or invisible. This level of cleanliness is typically reserved for environments where safety and health risks are at their highest, such as hospitals, schools, or disaster zones.
Steamatic’s biohazard cleaning services follow strict protocols to ensure that harmful contaminants are completely eliminated. This involves not only killing bacteria and viruses but also removing any materials that could harbour these harmful agents, including porous materials like carpets, upholstery, and plasterboard.
So, When is Clean Really Clean?
The answer depends on the context. For everyday spaces, basic cleaning or sanitisation may be sufficient. However, in high-risk environments—whether due to fire, flood, or biohazard contamination—disinfection and elimination are necessary to restore the space fully.
At Steamatic Australia, we ensure that your property is not only clean but thoroughly restored to a safe and habitable condition. With our expert technicians, advanced equipment, and rigorous standards, you can rest assured that when we say “clean,” we mean it at every level. Because your safety and peace of mind matter to us, clean isn’t just a look—it’s a commitment.