Organized, Clean, Sanitary, Sterile: Defining the Terms

This post may contain affiliate links which means I get commissions for purchases. Sponsored posts will always be clearly disclosed. Privacy Policy

defining the terms
Heather says:

It dawned on me last night -because even in my head the clock is off- that after nearly three years of posting I have never described the difference between: clean, organized, sanitary, and sterile. Well… hang on because it isn’t that difficult.

I’ve got lots more easy to understand and very practical information in my book: Home-Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living – Cook it, Clean it, Fix it, Wash it

A home can be organized and still be filthy. Organization is simply a matter of creating a place for all of your stuff. Sometimes that place is the landfill, recycling center, or thrift store.

A clean home can still be unsanitary. The act of cleaning only implies the removal of dirt.

home organizing tips
Click the picture for more tips!

Sanitary? That’s the killing or removal of microorganisms to an acceptably safe level. The legal version of this term depends on local health codes, here at Home-Ec101.com I stick with the USDA’s guidelines. It’s possible to have a disorganized but clean and sanitary home, it’s just a pain in the butt.

And sterile? Sterile implies a state where all microorganisms have been killed or removed. Sterile is for operating rooms.

Got it?

Send your domestic questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Sharing is caring!

16 thoughts on “Organized, Clean, Sanitary, Sterile: Defining the Terms”

  1. so my home is unorganized, semi-clean all the time (as i cycle thru clean up after 3 children), and my home is clean when guests arrive. My mother's home is sanitary 24/7/365 and sterile when guests arrive! — got it – rofl.

    Reply
  2. I need to move some of my neuroses from one area to another. Sheesh.

    Actually what's really sad is that I'm a nurse and (this is embarrassing, but I guess we can file it under an early Sunday confessional) I am privately such a slob. At work I tidy up, clean, sanitize, and occasionally sterilize ALL THE TIME since I work with cancer patients who have no immune system. We have a clean hand and an unclean hand when we do procedures, for example. Everyone gets their bed linens changed every day. Etc, etc. At home, notsomuch.

    I think I'm going to go change my sheets now.

    Reply
  3. Hmmm. I think my house is sanitary and organized on the day that I clean. And then a bit lived-in for the rest of the week. Sterile? Nope. Funny timing, I just posted my cleaning schedule on my blog today. But I don't have kids. I imagine when I do, my cleaning schedule will go down the drain with the rest of my spare time!

    Reply
  4. OK not sure where the best place to post a question is but I have one for ya…….How is the best way to clean a mattress?? Dec 2008 I splurged and upgraded from a queen bed to a fabulously huge king size bedset.I'm wondering how is the best way to clean the mattress? I have a small "spot" cleaner by hoover (I think)-and I use that to get stains/spills-thank goodness there have only been a few.But I've been thinking how does everyone clean their mattresses? I've heard of putting it outside and letting it "air out" but that's not feesable where I live.Recently in a yoga catalog I saw a sanitizing "wand" sort of thing (uses UV I think) and have thought about getting that.Just curious as to what other people do…..THANKS

    Julie
    the_fraziers@hotmail.com
    meridian,ms

    Reply
  5. I will share this post with my dad. His house is always very organized but not sanitized yet he complains about my sanitized but disorganized home.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.