What cleaning procedure involves using detergent and water to eliminate contamination?

The selected answer, which is cleaning, accurately defines the procedure that involves using detergent and water to remove dirt, debris, and potentially harmful substances from surfaces or tools. This process is essential in maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of contaminants in any environment, particularly in beauty and salon settings.

Cleaning with detergent and water focuses on physically removing impurities, improving the overall cleanliness of the area or items being treated. It is often the first step in a comprehensive sanitation protocol, as it lays the groundwork for any further sanitaization or disinfection processes that may follow. By effectively eliminating visible dirt and grime, cleaning prepares surfaces for appropriate sanitizing or disinfecting techniques, which are more targeted at killing pathogens rather than just removing them.

In contrast to cleaning, other methods like sanitizing, disinfecting, and decontaminating have different objectives and may use various chemical agents or processes to achieve their goals. Sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms to safe levels, while disinfecting destroys a higher percentage of pathogens. Decontaminating generally refers to the process of removing or neutralizing contaminants to a safe level, which may include cleaning, but encompasses broader strategies beyond just the use of detergent and water.