Product labels and cleaning advice often use the words cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting as if they were interchangeable, but they describe different things. Knowing the difference helps hosts choose the right approach for tables, toys, play areas and food surfaces before and after a kids’ party, without overusing strong products where they are not needed.
What Each Term Means
Public health agencies describe the three steps roughly this way:
- Cleaning removes dirt, crumbs, sticky residue and many germs from a surface, usually with soap or detergent and water. It does not necessarily kill germs, but it physically removes much of what is there.
- Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on a surface to a level considered safe by public health standards. It is commonly used on food-contact surfaces and items.
- Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces, according to the claims on the product label.
Cleaning always comes first. Sanitizers and disinfectants work best on surfaces that have already been cleaned, because dirt and grime can get in the way.
When Each One Matters at a Party
For most party surfaces, thorough cleaning is the foundation. Wiping tables, chairs and play surfaces with soap and water before guests arrive and after they leave takes care of most everyday mess. Sanitizing makes sense for food prep areas, high chairs and serving surfaces. Disinfecting is usually reserved for situations with a higher risk of spreading illness, such as surfaces that have come in contact with bodily fluids, or after a guest was sick.
For items that go in small mouths, like teething toys and sippy cups, washing in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher, if the manufacturer allows it, is often the gentlest effective option.
Reading the Label
The product label is the most important instruction you have. A few things to look for:
- Registration number. Disinfectants sold in the United States are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and show an EPA registration number on the label.
- Contact time. Many products must stay wet on a surface for a set amount of time to work. Wiping a surface dry right away may not give the product time to do its job.
- Surface use. Labels say which surfaces a product is suitable for and whether food-contact surfaces or toys need rinsing afterward.
- Safety directions. Follow the guidance on ventilation, gloves and keeping children away until surfaces are dry.
For play equipment, mats and furniture, also check the manufacturer’s care instructions, since some cleaners can damage vinyl, foam or fabric finishes.
Safety Rules That Never Change
Never mix cleaning products. Bleach combined with ammonia, or with acidic cleaners such as vinegar, can release dangerous gases. Store products in their original containers, out of children’s reach and sight, and never in drink bottles or food containers. Clean and sanitize before children arrive rather than around them, and let surfaces dry completely before little hands touch them.
For more general guidance on cleaning and disinfecting at home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency both publish plain-language resources. With the basics in mind, cleaning before and after a party becomes a simple routine rather than a guessing game.
A Before-and-After Party Routine
Knowing the definitions is helpful, but a simple routine is what makes them useful. Here is a general approach many hosts follow. Always defer to product labels and manufacturers’ instructions.
The Day Before
- Wipe tables, chairs, high chairs and booster seats with soap and water.
- Wash toys that will be put out for play, following the manufacturer’s care instructions.
- Wash sippy cups, teething toys and any reusable cups or plates.
- Check that cleaning products are stored up high or locked away, not under a sink children can reach.
The Morning Of
- Clean, then sanitize food prep counters and serving surfaces, and let them dry.
- Give the snack table a final wipe.
- Set out paper towels, a trash bin and a small spray bottle of soapy water for quick spills, kept out of children’s reach.
During the Party
- Wipe up spills right away with soap and water or a damp cloth.
- Keep stronger products put away unless they are truly needed, such as after a child is sick.
After the Party
- Clear and clean food surfaces, then sanitize if needed.
- Wash cups, dishes and toys that went into mouths.
- Clean play surfaces according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Wash tablecloths, blankets and towels.
Questions to Ask a Soft Play Rental Company
If you are renting play equipment, it is fair to ask how it is cared for. A few questions to consider:
- How is the equipment cleaned between events, and with what kinds of products?
- Are the products suited to the materials, such as vinyl, foam and fabric?
- Is there anything I should or should not use to wipe the equipment during my party?
- What should I do if a child is sick on the equipment?
- Are there any guidelines for food, drinks or shoes in the play area?
Common Cleaning Mistakes at Parties
- Skipping the cleaning step. Spraying a disinfectant on a sticky, crumb-covered table does not do the job well. Clean first.
- Wiping too soon. Many products need to stay wet for a set contact time. Check the label.
- Using more product than needed. Stronger is not always better, especially on surfaces children touch and toys they mouth.
- Cleaning with children nearby. Fumes, wet surfaces and open bottles are not a good mix with curious toddlers.
- Leaving products out. A spray bottle left on a table during a party is an invitation to a curious child.
Questions Hosts Ask
Are wipes a good option?
Wipes are convenient, but they vary. Some are for cleaning only; others are labeled for sanitizing or disinfecting with specific contact times. Read the package to know what you are using.
Are “natural” cleaners enough?
Soap and water handle most everyday cleaning well. If you need to sanitize or disinfect, choose a product whose label says it does so and follow the directions.
How often should I wipe the snack table during the party?
A quick wipe with soap and water between snack time and cake, and again after cake, keeps it pleasant without bringing out stronger products while children are nearby.
What if a child is sick at the party?
Keep other children away from the area, clean up with gloves, then disinfect according to the product label. Wash your hands well afterward.
