Disinfection and sterilization aren’t identical. These words, therefore, aren’t interchangeable. Disinfectants like alcohol kill unhealthful (disease causing) microorganisms as well as bacterium. However, there square measure bacterium that square measure immune to disinfectants like spores. Alcohol, as any disinfectant, reduces the quantity of organisms. Disinfectants are applied only on inanimate objects.

Sterilization destroys/kills all forms of microorganisms. It kills bacteria (including spores), fungi, viruses. It is achieved by using chemicals, heat (either moist or dry), irradiation, filtration. When something has been sterilized, it is absolutely free (not reduced) of all microorganisms.

Credit: Faridah Maria