Dish soap can technically kill germs to some degree, thanks to its pin-shaped molecules that can break through hydrophobic viruses and bacteria. For this reason, if you need something that can kill germs without additional scrubbing, you may consider commercial disinfectants. While disinfecting is the only way to truly kill germs on contact, you still have to clean surfaces before you disinfect them. Disinfecting is a good way to kill any germs left behind on surfaces after you've cleaned them with soap and water. Aside from knowing the key differences between cleaning and disinfecting, it's worth understanding the main difference between sanitizing and disinfecting, too.