Disinfecting vs. Cleaning: What Your Venue Really Needs

In today’s world, keeping your venue clean isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the standards for hygiene and public safety have been raised, with many communities and stakeholders calling for better sanitisation practices. Businesses and event organisers are under more pressure to keep their venues clean and free from germs.

However, there is a difference between the two. Many people still confuse these two distinct (but important) concepts: cleaning and disinfection. While they’re often mentioned together, they actually serve different purposes.

If you manage a venue or run a business with high foot traffic (e.g., a restaurant, school, or hospital), understanding the difference between cleaning and disinfecting can help you provide a safe, welcoming, and compliant space.

In this article, we will break down the difference between disinfecting and cleaning, why it matters, and how to make informed choices for your venue.

Understanding the Basics

What is Cleaning?

Cleaning is the process of removing dirt, dust, crumbs, and debris from surfaces. This usually involves wiping each surface with soap, water, or a general cleaner. Cleaning makes your venue look its best and reduces the number of germs in a given space, but it doesn’t necessarily kill them.

However, if you’re looking to keep your space tidy and fresh, then cleaning will do just that.

Dusting a mirror

What is Disinfecting?

Disinfecting goes one step further than cleaning by killing the remaining germs and bacteria on surfaces. This process uses chemicals specifically formulated to remove germs, rather than simply wiping them down.

Disinfectants are powerful and effective, but they do not remove visible dirt. If you spray disinfectant on a grimy surface without first wiping off the grime, it simply won’t reach the pathogens hiding underneath. It’s important to always clean before disinfecting.

Why the Difference Matters for Your Venue

Depending on the venue or business you operate, you might have different cleaning requirements. For example, hospital or childcare centres will have more stringent hygiene compliance needs compared to an office space.

Here’s why understanding the type of cleaning you need matters:

Health & Safety Compliance

Australia has strict health and safety regulations, with local councils and governments mandating specific cleaning and disinfecting protocols. For example, school canteens must be disinfected, not just cleaned. Understanding and complying with these standards helps keep your business safe from liability.

Customer Confidence

Since the pandemic, guests and employees have higher expectations of safety and cleanliness. A clean venue or business builds trust, and solid disinfecting measures help ensure that you prioritise their well-being.

Liability Management

Maintaining a clean venue when necessary can help prevent outbreaks, thereby reducing legal and reputational risks to your business. You should consistently maintain a well-documented hygiene plan that safeguards everyone who is in your venue.

It’s important to work with a venue cleaning company that can scale their approach according to your needs. As experienced venue cleaners, Clean Vibes works with all types of venues, from intimate conferences to large outdoor events and music festivals.

When to Clean vs. When to Disinfect

So, how does one decide when to clean or disinfect? It depends on what you are legally required to do and your specific business or event.

Regular Maintenance (Cleaning)

Routine cleaning should be part of your venue’s daily or weekly maintenance plan. This includes mopping floors, vacuuming carpets, wiping down surfaces, and emptying bins. Low-touch areas, such as walls or ceilings, that don't receive much contact typically only require cleaning.

For event organisers seeking event upkeep, collaborating with an event cleaning company can help you maintain your event before, during, and after the event.

High-Risk Situations (Disinfecting)

Disinfecting is a more specialised requirement, and should be considered in these scenarios:

• After high-footfall events (e.g., concerts, expos, or conferences)
• During flu season or following a known illness exposure
• In restrooms, kitchens, and high-touch zones like door handles, handrails, and seating areas

The right cleaning company will be able to explain what you’ll need for your business. For example, Clean Vibes provides both cleaning and disinfection services, and can tailor our approach to suit each venue's needs.

We also follow strict hygiene protocols at every stage of your event. This includes regular sanitisation of high-touch surfaces during the event and a thorough deep clean after the event.

The Case for Doing Both

While it may be tempting to rely heavily on just one approach, we believe the best results come from combining both where possible. Cleaning removes visible dirt, which allows disinfectants to work more effectively. But cleaning alone doesn’t entirely remove bacteria and germs.

By doing both, it ensures your venue isn’t just spotless but genuinely safe.

How to Assess Your Venue’s Needs

Every venue is different. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to cleaning and disinfection. Here are some things to consider when it comes to maintaining venue cleanliness during an event.

• Size and layout: Larger spaces may require more frequent rotation between cleaning and disinfecting tasks.
• Type of activities: A seated seminar has different risks compared to a dance party or expo.
• Foot traffic volume: More people mean more frequent cleaning and disinfecting.
• Budget and frequency: Many businesses attempt to reduce costs by opting for the most affordable cleaning company. However, without proper protocols, this could lead to increased risks and a poor experience for guests.

Clean Vibes staff member cleaning at Australian Fashion Week

At Clean Vibes, we offer flexible venue cleaning services tailored to your space. Our team provides an end-to-end service - from initial preparation and developing waste management plans to real-time cleaning during the function, as well as a complete post-event clean-up and disinfection.

We also work with our clients to customise services within their budget, so that they can meet hygiene needs without overextending their resources.

Key Takeaway

Cleaning and disinfecting serve different but equally important purposes. While cleaning removes mess and makes your venue look great, disinfecting targets harmful germs and bacteria to keep everyone safe.

When done together, they offer the best protection and the highest standard of hygiene. That’s why tailored cleaning plans are essential, as they take into account your venue’s size, function, and frequency of use.

Clean Vibes has helped multiple businesses and event organisers ensure a clean and safe space. To learn more about our venue cleaning services, contact our team today.