Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization, Methods and Examples
Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization is that disinfection reduces or eliminates harmful microbes from objects. Sterilization kills all microorganisms using physical and chemical methods.
Krati Saraswat23 May, 2025
Share
Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization: Disinfection and sterilization are both methods of sanitization, but they differ in their goals and the methods used to achieve them. Disinfection is the destruction or reduction of harmful microorganisms on inorganic objects and surfaces, while sterilization is the complete elimination of all microorganisms.
Sterilization is a more rigorous process than disinfection and is used where destruction of microorganisms is essential, e.g. in critical operations, laboratories, hospitals and industrial environments. Disinfection is a simpler method that is suitable for everyday use. This article explains the difference between disinfection and sterilization, including the methods used to achieve each objective, the types of microorganisms to be controlled and the areas where both methods are commonly used.| NEET Biology Syllabus | NEET Biology Diagrams |
| NEET Biology MCQ | NEET Biology Chapter wise Weightage |
| NEET Biology Notes | NEET Previous Year Question Papers |
Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization Overview
Microorganisms have the potential to cause a broad spectrum of diseases in humans and animals, and they may also endanger health by contaminating food. As a result, eliminating or inhibiting their growth is beneficial in mitigating their negative effects. Decontamination is the process of removing harmful microorganisms from a medical device, instrument, or environment by killing or inhibiting their growth. Decontamination may be accomplished via a variety of methods, including disinfection, sterilization, and antisepsis. Disinfection and sterilization are both terms used to describe the process of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Sterilization and disinfection are critical in the pharmaceutical industry for ensuring that products are free of harmful microorganisms and contaminants. However, there are significant differences between disinfection and sterilization, as outlined below.
Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization
Disinfection reduces the number of viable microorganisms on a device, but does not guarantee complete inactivation. Disinfection is used to ensure a device is suitable for its intended purpose. A sterile device has the minimal number of viable microorganisms. In contrast to disinfection, sterilization eliminates all types of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and resistant bacterial spores. However, it may not be effective against prions. This limitation arises from the inherent difficulty in detecting all organisms on a device. The term "sterile" is applicable when the potential bio-burden has been reduced to a level where there is less than one in a million chance of any organism surviving. The detailed difference between disinfection and sterilization are outlined in the table below.| Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization | ||
|---|---|---|
| Character | Disinfection | Sterilization |
| Definition | Minimizes the number of harmful microbes to a negligible level. | Completely eliminates all microbes from the medium. |
| Method | Utilizes chemical methods for disinfection. | Employs a combination of heat, irradiation, high pressure, chemical, and physical methods. |
| Effect | Targets only vegetative cells, not spores. | Targets both vegetative cells and spores. |
| Microbes | Reduces the impact of microbes. | Completely eradicates microbes from the surface. |
| Wounds | Disinfects wounds. | Wounds cannot be sterilized. |
| Cleanliness | Requires adequate cleanliness. | Demands extreme cleanliness. |
| Use | Applicable in daily life. | Primarily used for medical and research purposes. |
| Techniques | Utilizes disinfecting agents like phenol, alcohol, chlorine, iodine, etc. | Involves sterilization techniques such as high temperatures, steam, radiation, filtration, etc. |
| Example | Examples include pasteurization, disinfecting urinals, etc. | Illustration includes the sterilization of instruments used during surgery by autoclaving. |
Disinfection
Disinfection involves the process of diminishing the number of viable microorganisms on surfaces or objects to a level considered safe for public health. In contrast to sterilization, which eradicates all microorganisms, disinfection significantly decreases their numbers, rendering the environment or item suitable for use. Commonly applied to non-living surfaces and equipment in pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, and manufacturing areas, disinfection is also utilized to clean pharmaceutical production equipment between batches, preventing cross-contamination. Various methods of disinfection are employed in the pharmaceutical industry, including chemical disinfectants such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium compounds, and chlorine compounds. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is utilized to disinfect surfaces and air in specific environments. Additionally, both dry heat and moist heat treatments can be employed for disinfection at temperatures lower than those required for sterilization. In essence, sterilization seeks to eliminate all microorganisms, whereas disinfection reduces their numbers to safe levels without achieving a sterile state. Both processes are of vital importance to the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring product safety and protecting public health. The method chosen is determined by the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical product, equipment, or environment being treated.Sterilization
Sterilization is the process of completely eliminating all forms of life, including bacteria, viruses, spores, and other microorganisms, from a surface, object, or substance. The primary objective of sterilization is to achieve a state of “sterility,” in which no viable microorganisms remain. This process is of immense significance for products and equipment that directly interact with the human body, such as medical devices, surgical instruments, and certain pharmaceutical products. Sterilization methods employed in the pharmaceutical industry include:- Steam sterilization (autoclaving) : Uses high-pressure steam to kill microorganisms.
- Dry heat sterilization: Achieves sterilization through elevated temperatures.
- Gamma radiation: Deploys ionizing radiation to eliminate microorganisms.
- Ethylene oxide gas sterilization: Uses gas to sterilize items sensitive to heat.
- Filtration: Passes liquids or gases through a sterilizing filter to remove microorganisms.
Difference Between Disinfection and Sterilization FAQs
What is the method of sterilization and disinfection?
Sterilization can be achieved through physical, chemical, and physiochemical means. Chemical agents used for sterilization are referred to as chemisterilants. Disinfection, on the other hand, is the process of eliminating most pathogenic microorganisms (excluding bacterial spores) on inanimate objects.
What are the 4 types of sterilization?
Sterilization can be accomplished through high-pressure steam (autoclave), dry heat (oven), chemical sterilants (such as glutaraldehydes or formaldehyde solutions), or physical agents (radiation). As sterilization is a process, not a singular event, all components must be executed correctly for effective sterilization.
What is the difference between disinfection, sterilization, and decontamination?
Decontamination involves reducing the antimicrobial presence in an area or on a surface. Sterilization is a type of decontamination, alongside disinfection and antisepsis. Disinfection does not aim to remove all contaminants; instead, it reduces the amount of contamination.
What are the 3 types of disinfection?
Chlorination, ozone treatment, ultraviolet light exposure, and the use of chloramines are primary methods for disinfection.
Why is sterilization important?
Sterilization is very important as it eradicates all microorganisms on the surface of an article or in a fluid, preventing the transmission of diseases associated with the use of that item.
🔥 Trending Blogs
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.