‘Thorough cleaning is required before high-level disinfection and sterilisation because inorganic and organic materials that remain on the surfaces of instruments interfere with the effectiveness of these processes.’
(Rutala and Weber, 2016)⁴

 

 
Ultimately, if the cleaning process is compromised, it is likely that the subsequent disinfection process will be adversely affected. Cleaning holds particular importance for UV-C systems, where no manual abrasion is used. If cleaning fails, soiling will persist even after exposure to UV-C disinfection, rendering the entire process ineffective. In contrast, manual processes like wiping, involves an additional abrasion step, facilitating the removal of any remaining soiling.
 
It is crucial to emphasise that cleaning agents must be thoroughly removed from the device prior to disinfection with UV-C, and the device should be completely dry before being placed in a UV chamber. Any residual surface moisture can hinder the delivery of the required UV dose to the surface.