What term is defined as the physical removal of all visible dust, soil, and foreign material from an object in New York State regulations?

The term that refers to the physical removal of all visible dust, soil, and foreign material from an object is cleaning. Cleaning is an essential first step in maintaining hygiene standards in any aesthetic practice. It involves using soap and water or other detergents to eliminate any dirt or debris, effectively preparing surfaces and tools for further disinfection or sterilization.

While sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization are essential practices in infection control, they each serve different purposes. Sanitation refers to the reduction of pathogens to a safe level, disinfection is the process of killing or inactivating nearly all microorganisms on non-living surfaces, and sterilization is the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life. Cleaning, however, specifically focuses on the physical removal of materials, making it a crucial foundational practice before any further steps in infection control.