What is the purpose of a sanitizer?

The purpose of a sanitizer is to reduce microorganisms to a safe level, which is crucial in various settings, especially in healthcare and food service environments. Sanitizers are formulated to destroy or inactivate a significant number of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, thus minimizing the risk of infection and contamination.

Using a sanitizer does not imply the complete elimination of all microorganisms, as that is the role of disinfectants, which are intended for more stringent sterilization. While sanitizers indeed play a role in enhancing the effectiveness of cleaning agents, their primary function centers on reducing microbial presence to a level considered safe for health. Increasing the shelf life of products is generally associated with preservatives, which is unrelated to the primary function of sanitizers.

Therefore, the objective of sanitizers is to ensure a clean, safe environment without necessitating the complete eradication of every single microorganism present.