Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which method is best for removing visible dirt from tools and equipment?

1. Disinfecting

2. Sterilization

3. Cleaning

4. Sanitizing

The correct answer is: Cleaning

Cleaning is the best method for removing visible dirt from tools and equipment because it involves physically removing soil, debris, and contaminants from surfaces. This process typically includes the use of soap or detergent with water to thoroughly scrub items, ensuring that visible particulates and dirt are eliminated. While disinfecting, sterilization, and sanitizing are important processes used in maintaining hygiene, they do not specifically address the removal of visible dirt. Disinfecting reduces the number of pathogens on surfaces but doesn’t necessarily remove physical debris. Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life, but it’s usually performed on equipment that is already clean and is often not necessary for tools with visible dirt. Sanitizing reduces microbial counts but also doesn't directly focus on the removal of visible dirt. Thus, for tools and equipment that display physical grime, the initial step must always be thorough cleaning to ensure that subsequent steps of disinfection or sanitization can be effective.