Sterilization is the completely remove or kill all vegetative cells, endospores, and viruses from the item/environment. Sterilization is the most extreme form of microbial control and is typically reserved for lab and medical settings. There are multiple ways to sterilize, either through moist-heat, dry-heat, or sterilants.

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Fomites are inanimate surfaces that can harbor microbes. To control microbial growth on fomites, we can use the following
- -cidal agents
- sterilization
- disinfection
- sanitization
- -static agents

Types of Microbial Control for Fomites.

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Sanitization refers to the cleansing of inanimate objects that may harbor disease causing pathogens. The goal to remove enough microbes to be considered safe for public health. For example, commercial dishwashers used in the food service industry typically sanitize the dishes used by customers. Similarly, surfaces in hospitals are sanitized using a disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease between patients

Sanitization

Sterilization

Disinfection inactivates most microbes on the surface of a fomite by using antimicrobial chemicals or heat. Some microbes remain, so the disinfected item is not sterile. Disinfectants should be fast acting, stable, easy to prepare, and inexpensive. An example of a natural disinfectant is vinegar; its acidity kills most microbes. Chemical disinfectants, such as chlorine bleach, are used to clean nonliving surfaces such as clinical surfaces. Disinfected surfaces are not considered sterile because endospores can survive even when all the vegetative cells have been killed.

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