What is the term for the removal of gross contamination from an object or surface?

The term for the removal of gross contamination from an object or surface is indeed cleaning. Cleaning involves the physical removal of dirt, debris, and impurities from surfaces or objects typically using water and detergents. This process is essential in preparing items for further disinfection or sterilization, as it reduces the microbial load by eliminating visible contaminants.

In contrast, disinfection involves the use of chemical agents to kill or deactivate microorganisms on surfaces after they have been cleaned. Sterilization refers to the complete destruction of all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, and is a more rigorous process than cleaning. Cleansing can be seen as a broader term, often used interchangeably with cleaning, but it doesn’t specifically emphasize the removal of gross contamination. Therefore, cleaning is the most accurate term for the context given.