Basis of differentiation | Disinfection | Sterilization |
Definition | Is a process used to reduce the number of harmful microbes to negligible levels | Is a process used to kill all harmful microbes and maintain a sterile environment |
Methods used | Uses chemical methods | Uses a combination of heat, high pressure, irradiation, physical and chemical methods |
Effect on microbes | Kills only vegetative cells and not the spores, thus only reducing the effect of microbes | Kills both vegetative cells and spores, completely ridding microbes from the surface |
Cleanliness factor | Adequately clean | Extremely clean |
Techniques used | ||
Applications | Used in daily life in applications such as pasteurization and disinfecting bathrooms | Used primarily for medical and research purposes such as sterilizing surgical and laboratory instruments |
Use on wounds | Wounds can be disinfected using agents such as hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol | Wounds cannot be sterilized as surrounding healthy cells may also get killed in the process |