Introduction

A quality cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting procedure can help protect animal and human health at exhibitions and events. It is essential to understand the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, why each step is important, and how they work together to create a safe environment. These guidelines can be used by animal event organizers, superintendents, exhibitors, and families to maintain a clean exhibition environment, and prevent disease transmission.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and disinfecting: What’s The Difference?

Cleaning

Cleaning is the act of using water and soap (or detergent) to wash, scrub, rinse, and dry surfaces to remove unwanted contaminants and reduce the risk of illness. Contaminants, such as dirt, grease, germs, and manure, are found on many surfaces and objects in our daily lives and at animal events. Hands, fencing, door handles, equipment, phones, and other objects can quickly become contaminated, especially when working with animals.

Cleaning is an essential step and must be completed before sanitizing and disinfecting. By cleaning first, you ensure that any chemical agents (sanitizer and/or disinfectant) applied can effectively reach and impact germs without being inactivated or blocked by organic matter. Cleaning also reduces the number of germs on a surface.

Cleaning of high touch surfaces should be completed at least at the end of each day, even if you do decide to sanitize or disinfect. Cleaning on a regular schedule can reducing the buildup of germs and other contaminants. Hands should be cleaned by washing often throughout the day, including before and after working with animals, and before eating or drinking.

Sanitizing

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on a surface. While not all germs are eliminated by sanitizing products, less germs present on the surface may help to lessen the risk of illness. Sanitizing agents are milder than disinfecting agents and can include isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol products.

If your hands are visibly dirty, it is best to wash them with soap and running water rather than using hand sanitizer. Although using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available can reduce the amount of germs on your hands, sanitizer will not be very effective if it is blocked by dirt and grime. Sanitizing should be performed daily during events after cleaning when disinfection is not needed. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when sanitizing surfaces.

Disinfecting

Disinfecting can be completed on inanimate objects to eliminate most or all germs. You should disinfect high-touch or high-risk items daily during an event, such as door handles and cell phones. Select a disinfectant agent that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against specific germs. Disinfecting agents are typically stronger chemicals than sanitizers. Examples include bleach and quaternary ammonium (i.e., Clorox, Lysol) products. Always follow the directions on the label for safe and effective use. Keep humans and animals away from disinfected surfaces while the surfaces are still wet.

Selecting The Right Product

When choosing a disinfectant, it is important to select a product that is both effective and appropriate for use around animals. Several types of disinfectants are commonly used in animal care settings. Each disinfectant type has its own mixing and use guidelines. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, contact time, and safety. A versatile disinfectant is effective at eliminating many different types of pathogens (i.e., viruses and bacteria).

An important aspect to consider is the contact time, which indicates how long the surface must stay wet with the product for disinfection to truly occur. This information can be found on the product label, and often differs based on the chemical. Contact times longer than five to 10 minutes may be challenging to use in a busy environment such as an animal exhibition. While a disinfecting product is still wet on a surface, do not allow people or animals to come in contact with it. Always read the label, and follow all safety and mixing instructions.

When working with young people, such as those in 4-H and FFA programs, consider how safe and easy the product is to use. Disinfecting wipes and sprays may be the best fit. Young children should not be allowed access to disinfecting products, as they can cause significant harm to health if they are ingested. Call the poison control hotline if you suspect a child has ingested or been exposed to a disinfectant.

For more detailed information and guidelines on disinfectant use in animal care settings, refer to the CDC's Infection Control resources.

Sanitizing and Disinfecting Agents

Sanitizers used on hands should be alcohol-based (i.e., isopropyl or ethyl alcohol) with a concentration of 60% or higher. Chlorhexidine is a common antiseptic used around animals.

Household bleach can be an effective disinfectant for many germs and should be diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the product label and look for the word ‘disinfecting’ as not all bleach products actually disinfect. Bleach may also vary in concentration, so be sure to read the product recommendations and measure the exact amount of tap water, then bleach. Do not store diluted bleach mixtures for more than 24 hours, as bleach loses its ability to disinfect over time once mixed with water However, manufactured bleach products are designed to last up to one year, so check expiration dates.

Commercially available disinfectants like Prevail can be more stable during storage than diluted bleach, and may be safer to use. Quaternary ammonium products like Clorox and Lysol are also common disinfecting products, and come in easy-to-use packaging such as wipes and sprays. Quaternary ammonium may not be effective against all germs, however, and is not safe to use on surfaces used for eating and drinking, unless surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with soap and water afterwards.

Other commercial disinfectants for animal operations are also available, such as BioSentry™ EZ Kleen™.  Never eat or drink anything that has been exposed to a sanitizing or disinfecting product until it has been thoroughly washed with soap and running water, and you are sure that the product has not caused any harm of the object.

Staying Safe While Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

When working with contaminated surfaces and with potentially harmful chemicals such as disinfectants, it is important to take steps to stay healthy and safe. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, disposable boot covers, and eye protection can provide a barrier between you and the germs, and solutions you are exposed to when cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting. Other examples of PPE can include boot covers, coveralls and protective suits, and masks.

PPE should be selected based on the context, germs of concern, the product, and its application method. For example, when spraying a strong disinfectant and/or working around germs that can be transmitted through particles in the air, a mask and ear protection should be worn. Gloves should be used when wiping down a high-touch surface like a doorknob with a disinfecting wipe, as these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin. Consider wearing washable shoes or disposable shoe covers in case your footwear is exposed to germs or chemical solutions when cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

PPE should be removed and disposed of properly to reduce the risk of contaminating yourself and your surroundings.

Learn the proper procedure for donning and removing PPE by visiting this CDC PDF. Always wash your hands after cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and after removing PPE. Taking a shower may also be necessary if you believe you have been exposed to a potentially harmful contaminant or chemical. Furthermore, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products should be stored properly to ensure young children and pets do not accidentally ingest them and to ensure that they maintain their efficacy.

Exhibitor Considerations

Before the exhibition or event

• Clean and disinfect all equipment and items that will leave your operation to reduce transmission of germs to visitors, exhibitors, and other animals at the event.
• Pack your biosecurity kit (learn more here) and be sure to include cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting solutions, applicators such as spray bottles, and PPE. Select products and PPE that are appropriate for an animal exhibition environment (i.e., soap, disinfecting wipes, gloves).
• Invest in and bring your own equipment whenever possible to minimize sharing between exhibitors. You may also consider investing in separate buckets, hay bags, and other common animal care items that you only use when attending animal exhibitions, in order to provide additional safeguards against the transmission of germs to your operation.
• Sharing trailers with another exhibitor is strongly discouraged, as this may expose your animals to germs and diseases. If you must share trailers, they should properly cleaned and disinfected before use.

At the exhibition or event

• Before unloading your animals, clean and disinfect the pens, stalls, and other spaces where your animals and tack will be situated in at the event. Make sure the disinfectant is safe for animals and is dry before they come in contact with the surface.
• Clean and disinfect equipment often throughout the event, especially if it has been used by other exhibitors. Halters and show sticks, for example, can be contaminated easily, and can expose you and your animals to harmful germs.
• Always wash your hands before feeding your animals, after working with your animals, and before eating or drinking.

After the exhibition or event

• Clean and disinfect all equipment before packing it into the trailer or vehicle.
• Clean and disinfect trailer and vehicle surfaces after returning from the exhibition or event. This should be completed away from animal areas of your operation, so the contaminated water does not run into the animals’ environment.
• Disinfect all footwear that was used at the exhibition or event. Consider designating a pair(s) of shoes that are only used for off-farm events.
• Wash laundry from the event in a separate bleach load, and dry it in the sun if possible.
• Clean and sanitize or disinfect your personal items, such as phones, chargers, and toys.
• Restock on any cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products or PPE items as needed before the next event.

Conclusion

Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are necessary steps to reduce exposure to disease-causing germs at animal exhibitions and events. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and best practices for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting to keep animals and humans healthy and safe around these chemical solutions.

Resources

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (Updated 2024, March 20). NVAP Reference Guide: Cleaning and Disinfection. United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/nvap/reference-guide/cleaning-disinfection 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, January 31). When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). PPE Sequence Toolkit. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/media/pdfs/Toolkits-PPE-Sequence-P.pdf 

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectants. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/selected-epa-registered-disinfectants 

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). 6 Steps for Safe & Effective 6 Steps for Safe & Effective Disinfectant Use. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/documents/disinfectants-onepager.pdf 

Medline Plus. (n.d.). Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing. NIH National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/cleaningdisinfectingandsanitizing.html 

Tomis, S. M., Shea, H., Przech, O., & Cushman, J. (2025). Biosecurity Best Management Practices for Animal Exhibitors. UConn Extension Publication.