Sterilization is the complete destruction of all microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores, which is a far more stringent standard than simple cleaning or disinfection. For common household items like nail clippers, craft scissors, or hair shears, achieving true sterility requires careful technique. This article provides practical, step-by-step instructions for safely processing these instruments at home, ensuring they are safe for tasks involving contact with broken skin or sensitive areas.
Essential Pre-Sterilization Cleaning
Before any sterilization method can be effective, the scissors must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all visible organic material, such as tissue, dirt, or dried blood. This cleaning step is mandatory because remaining organic debris physically shields microorganisms from the sterilizing agent, rendering the subsequent process ineffective. Without this mechanical removal, high heat or chemical solutions cannot make direct contact with the microbes.
A simple technique involves using warm water, a mild detergent or dish soap, and a small scrub brush or an old toothbrush. Special attention should be paid to the hinge, joint, and any serrated edges where debris tends to accumulate. The mechanical scrubbing breaks up and removes the protective layer of soil.
Once scrubbing is complete, the instrument must be rinsed thoroughly under running water to remove all soap residue. Immediately dry the scissors completely with a clean towel or allow them to air-dry. Drying is important to prevent flash rusting on metal surfaces and to avoid diluting any chemical agents used in the sterilization process.
Practical Methods for Home Sterilization
The highest level of microbial destruction achievable at home without specialized equipment is through extended boiling, though this method is only suitable for all-metal scissors. To perform this, fully submerge the cleaned instrument in water and bring it to a rolling boil. The duration of the boil must be maintained for at least 20 minutes, with the timing starting only once the water has reached the boiling point.
For instruments with rubber, plastic, or composite handles, chemical methods are necessary, though these generally achieve high-level disinfection rather than true sterilization. High-level disinfection kills all organisms except high numbers of bacterial spores, which is sufficient for household use. Two household agents are isopropyl alcohol and household bleach.
Isopropyl alcohol must be used at a concentration of 70% or higher, as water helps the alcohol penetrate cell walls. Submerge the cleaned scissors in the 70% solution for a minimum of 30 minutes to achieve high-level disinfection. A bleach solution for high-level disinfection is a 1:10 dilution, mixing one part standard household bleach (typically 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) with nine parts water.
The 1:10 bleach solution requires a contact time of 10 to 30 minutes for high-level disinfection. Afterward, the instruments must be thoroughly rinsed with clean water to prevent corrosion. Chemical solutions should be made fresh daily, as their strength degrades quickly after mixing. Avoid using home dry ovens or open flames, as these methods lack the temperature control necessary for reliable sterilization and can damage the metal’s temper.
Post-Procedure Handling and Storage
After the sterilization or high-level disinfection process is complete, careful handling is necessary to prevent immediate recontamination of the instrument. Use sterile tongs, or freshly gloved hands, to remove the scissors from the boiling water or chemical bath. This practice, known as aseptic technique, minimizes the transfer of microbes from the handler’s skin.
The scissors must then be dried completely, either by allowing them to air-dry on a sterile surface or by carefully patting them dry with a freshly laundered or newly sterilized towel. Any remaining moisture can encourage microbial growth and cause corrosion on metal instruments.
To maintain the instrument’s state, it should be stored in a clean, sealed container, such as a zip-top bag or an airtight box. This protective enclosure guards against airborne dust and contaminants. If the scissors inadvertently touch any non-sterile surface, the entire cleaning and sterilization process must be repeated before the instrument is used again.