Sterilization refers to the removal of all viable microorganisms from a surface. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol, peroxide and boiling in water do not sterilize jewelry. Only an autoclave, a machine that uses high-pressure saturated steam can render jewelry truly sterile. Most piercers will autoclave jewelry for you for a small fee, or you can use a cold-soak sterilant solution. Cold sterilants are a good alternative if no autoclave is available.
Step 1
Purchase a bottle of cold-soak sterilant solution from a tattoo supply store or website. Brand names of cold sterilants include MadaCide, Clidox, Cidex, Alcide and Cetylcide.
Step 2
Drop the jewelry into an unused disposable plastic cup. Medicine cups work well for this purpose.
Step 3
Pour enough of the sterilant solution into the cup to cover the jewelry.
Step 4
Read the label on the bottle to find out how long your jewelry should soak. If you are unsure, check the active ingredients in the solution. The Center for Disease Control gives the following guidelines: for a sterilant made of 2 percent glutaraldehyde, 10 hours; for a sterilant made of 8 percent formaldehyde and 70 percent alcohol, 18 hours; and for a sterilant made of 6 percent stabilized hydrogen peroxide, 6 hours.
Step 5
Pour the sterilant into the sink after the jewelry has finished soaking. Dump the jewelry out of the cup and onto a sterile dental bib.
Things You'll Need
- Metal jewelry
- Cold sterilant solution
- Disposable plastic cup
- Sterilized dental bib
