After cleaning, how should you destroy any remaining bacteria?

• A. Let it air dry for two hours
• B. Wipe with a dry cloth only
• C. Store immediately
• D. Use hot water at 82°C or chemical disinfectants

Answer: (D)

After cleaning, you still may have bacteria on surfaces. Cleaning reduces soil and many microbes, but it doesn’t guarantee all bacteria are destroyed. The step that actually kills remaining bacteria is sanitizing or disinfecting. Using hot water at 82°C provides a high-temperature sanitizing effect that denatures proteins and damages cell membranes, effectively killing many organisms when maintained for the proper time. Alternatively, applying chemical disinfectants, used at the correct concentration and contact time as per the product instructions, chemically inactivates bacteria. These methods are what reliably reduce microbial load to safe levels. Merely letting things air dry or wiping with a dry cloth do not guarantee destruction of bacteria, and storing items does not kill them either.