What characterizes the difference between cleaning and sanitizing?

The distinction between cleaning and sanitizing primarily lies in their purposes and outcomes. Cleaning is focused on removing visible dirt, debris, and impurities from surfaces. This process involves the use of soap or detergent and water to physically lift and wash away contaminants. The goal of cleaning is to create a visibly clean surface.

On the other hand, sanitizing aims to reduce the number of microorganisms on a surface to a safe level, as determined by public health standards. While sanitizing may involve the use of specific chemical agents designed to kill or reduce the presence of germs, its primary function is not to eliminate all visible dirt but to ensure that the surface is safe from a microbial standpoint.

In this context, the first choice accurately captures the essence of each process: cleaning removes visible dirt, while sanitizing works to lower the number of germs, emphasizing the different objectives and methods of these two practices.