Disinfection is best described as a process that:

Disinfection involves the application of antimicrobial agents to non-living objects to destroy microorganisms that are living on the surfaces. The correct answer reflects the understanding that disinfection is not as thorough as sterilization, which eliminates all microorganisms including bacterial spores. Instead, disinfection primarily targets a wide range of pathogens, effectively reducing their numbers to a level deemed safe, but does not guarantee the complete elimination of all microorganisms present.

This process is often crucial in healthcare settings to reduce the risk of infection and maintain a safe environment. While cleaning with soap and water is essential for maintaining hygiene, it primarily serves to remove dirt and organic matter rather than disinfecting. Therefore, while disinfection does involve reducing the microbial load, it does not include spore elimination, which sets it apart from sterilization. This precision makes option C the most accurate description of the disinfection process.