sanitizing
Making something sterile
Sanitizing is cleaning something to remove germs or contaminants, or making something acceptable by removing objectionable elements.
You sanitize kitchen surfaces to kill bacteria.
A sanitized version of events omits uncomfortable truths: The documentary sanitized the dictator's brutal reign.
The second sense often implies dishonest tidying-up—making something presentable at the cost of accuracy.
Killing bacteria and viruses
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- wipingRubbing to clean
- sprayingDispersing liquid as mist
- moppingCleaning floors with water
rinsing · bleaching · soap · detergent · suds · antibacterial · decontaminate · wash
Cleaning palms with soap
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
infection control · pathogen · microbial · biocide · virucide · bacteriostatic · hygienist · cross-contamination
Eliminate all microorganisms
- autoclavePressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizeHeat-treat for safety
- asepticFree from pathogens
- germ-freeLacking any microorganisms
sterile · decontaminated · pathogen-free · uncontaminated · fumigate · irradiate · surgical · medical-grade
Porous separation device
- purifyRemove unwanted substances
- distillPurify through vaporization
- clarifyMake something understandable
- refineRemove impurities from
detoxify · neutralize · deodorize · purge · water treatment · reverse osmosis · chlorinate · ozonation
disinfecting
Killing bacteria and viruses
mopping · rinsing · bleaching · soap · detergent · suds · antibacterial · decontaminate · wash · brush
handwashing
Cleaning palms with soap
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
alcohol · infection control · pathogen · microbial · biocide · virucide · bacteriostatic · hygienist · cross-contamination · foodborne
sterilize
Eliminate all microorganisms
- autoclavePressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizeHeat-treat for safety
- asepticFree from pathogens
germ-free · sterile · decontaminated · pathogen-free · uncontaminated · fumigate · irradiate · surgical · medical-grade · hospital
filter
Porous separation device
- purifyRemove unwanted substances
- distillPurify through vaporization
- clarifyMake something understandable
refine · detoxify · neutralize · deodorize · purge · water treatment · reverse osmosis · chlorinate · ozonation · filtration
redact
Conceal text for secrecy
- censorOne who suppresses content
- bowdlerizeRemove objectionable content
- expurgateRemove offensive material
whitewash · clean up · edit · soften · tone down · euphemize · filter · scrub · remove · omit
- sanitizingdisinfecting, sterilizing, antibacterial wash, decontaminating, bleaching
- cleaning propertiesantibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, disinfectant, disinfecting
- cleanlinessclean, cleanliness, clean up, dirty, neatness
- hygienehygiene, handwashing, toothbrush, hand washing, cleanliness
- laundrywashing machine, wash, dryer, clothes dryer, fold
- groomingbrushing teeth, clean shave, bathe, groomed, haircut
sanitizingexposing
Making something known
revealing · telling it like it is · laying bare · uncovering · airing dirty laundry
- hand sanitizingCleaning palms with alcohol
- sanitizing wipesPre-soaked germ-killing cloths
- sanitizing stationHand-cleaning supply point
insane, sane, sanity, insanity, sanitation, sanitary, sanitize, sanitized, sanely