Am I cleaning too much? Is that a thing I should be worrying about?
Setting and maintaining high hygiene standards is not cleaning too much. It is an important part of defending ourselves against infections and illnesses. You want to focus on cleaning regularly at key times for health.
There may be different reasons why you worry about “cleaning too much.” It could be that you’re worried about cost, the amount of product you’re using in your home, or the use of disinfectants. Whatever your reason, something to keep in mind is to clean smarter. This means being strategic about what you’re cleaning, how often and with what product. First, choose products that fit your needs based on their label instructions (i.e. hard surfaces, soft surfaces, food contact surfaces)
The label instructions also give important information on how to use the product safely. You can rest assured that if you’re following the directions, you’re using the product in a safe way. Next, consider if you should use a cleaner, or a disinfectant. If your goal is to protect against the transmission of germs, identify which surfaces are touched frequently, where transmission may occur. Use a disinfectant on these surfaces regularly. For other low touch surfaces, cleaning is likely enough to remove dirt and grime. If you’re worried about allergens or sensitivities to cleaning products, you can find formulations that meet those needs as well.
Do I need to disinfect to kill germs?
Disinfecting is important for killing germs, especially on surfaces that are frequently touched. While cleaning removes dirt and some germs, disinfecting uses chemicals to actually destroy bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of infection.
Does disinfecting prevent you from getting sick?
Disinfecting surfaces helps reduce the spread of germs and lowers the risk of getting sick, especially from illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses. However, it is not a guarantee—proper hand hygiene and other preventive measures are also important.
Updated: March 31, 2026