Sanitation is crucial for homebrewers, as nothing can spoil a batch of beer faster than an infection. To avoid potential disasters such as bottle bombs and soured beer, it's important to thoroughly clean and sanitize all equipment that will come into contact with your brew. While cleansers can remove surface residues and potential hiding places for bacteria, sanitizers are necessary to eliminate any wild yeasts and bacteria that may be lurking in your equipment. It's essential to use both for optimal results.