This document discusses sterilization and disinfection methods. It describes sterilization as a process that completely destroys microbes like bacteria and spores, while disinfection only kills harmful microbes. Common sterilization methods include heat (dry and moist), radiation, filtration, and chemicals. Moist heat via autoclaving is a standard hospital sterilization technique. Disinfectants are chemical agents used to reduce microbes on surfaces and include phenols, iodine, chlorine, alcohols and glutaraldehyde. Factors like temperature, concentration, and contact time impact disinfectant effectiveness.