disinfect
Purify with chemicals
To disinfect something is to clean it with chemicals or other agents that kill germs, bacteria, and viruses.
The goal is to make a surface or object safe by eliminating microorganisms that could cause disease.
You disinfect a kitchen counter after handling raw meat, or disinfect a wound before bandaging it.
Disinfecting is more thorough than ordinary cleaning but less extreme than sterilizing, which aims to destroy all microbial life.
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizeHeat-treat for safety
- fumigatePurge pests using gas
- irradiateExpose to electromagnetic energy
- gamma radiationHigh-frequency electromagnetic emission
UV light · ozone · steam · boil · heat treatment · aseptic · sterile · sterilant
Chemical stain and germ killer
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- isopropanolSecondary propyl alcohol
hydrogen peroxide · iodine · chlorhexidine · phenol · formaldehyde
Absence of harmful microorganisms
- wound careTreatment of bodily injuries
- antisepsisPrevention of infection
- cross-contaminationTransfer of harmful substances
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
biosecurity · PPE · gloves · hospital-grade · clinical · operating room
Substance killing harmful microbes
- virucideAgent destroying viral pathogens
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
- sporicideSubstance destroying dormant microbes
- microbicideSubstance that kills microorganisms
biocide · antimicrobial · germicidal · bactericidal · fungicidal
Medical treatment facility
- kitchenFood preparation room
- bathroomRoom for hygiene
- poolCollective fund or basin
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
food processing · laboratory · dental office · daycare · gym · public transit · restaurant · drinking water
decontaminate
Remove harmful substances
mop · swab · sponge · rinse · scour · spray · treat · cleanse · purify · spot-clean
autoclave
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizeHeat-treat for safety
- fumigatePurge pests using gas
- irradiateExpose to electromagnetic energy
gamma radiation · UV light · ozone · steam · boil · heat treatment · aseptic · sterile · sterilant · germfree
bleach
Chemical stain and germ killer
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
isopropanol · hydrogen peroxide · iodine · chlorhexidine · phenol · formaldehyde
asepsis
Absence of harmful microorganisms
- wound careTreatment of bodily injuries
- antisepsisPrevention of infection
- cross-contaminationTransfer of harmful substances
pathogen · biosecurity · PPE · gloves · hospital-grade · clinical · operating room
bactericide
Substance killing harmful microbes
- virucideAgent destroying viral pathogens
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
- sporicideSubstance destroying dormant microbes
microbicide · biocide · antimicrobial · germicidal · bactericidal · fungicidal
hospital
Medical treatment facility
water treatment · food processing · laboratory · dental office · daycare · gym · public transit · restaurant · drinking water
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- cleanlinessclean, cleanliness, clean up, dirty, neatness
- DIS- wordsdisagree, disallow, disbelieve, disapprove, disarray
- tidyingtidying, tidy, tidying up, declutter, cleaning
- antivirusantivirus, virus, virus scan, malware, virus scanner
- medical verbsdiagnose, treat, prescribe, cure, heal
disinfectinfect
Transmit pathogens to
contaminate · recontaminate · cross-contaminate · infest · pollute
- disinfectant wipesPre-soaked germicidal cloths
- disinfecting wipesMoist cloths that kill germs
- disinfectant sprayGerm-killing pressurized mist
- disinfection protocolsProcedures for eliminating harmful microbes
disinfectant, disinfected, disinfecting, disinfection, disinfects, disinfectants, disinfector, disinfections