A method for sterilizing an aqueous antiseptic solution, the method comprising: providing a container containing the aqueous antiseptic solution, the aqueous antiseptic solution comprising about 2.0% w/v chlorhexidine gluconate and a solvent containing 100%v/v water; heating the aqueous antiseptic solution to a predetermined temperature; maintaining the aqueous antiseptic solution at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; and terminating the heating of the aqueous antiseptic solution when the predetermined time expires, wherein the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the aqueous antiseptic solution is sterile; characterized in that wherein the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time are selected such that the post-sterilization purity is at least about 90% and a percentage point change in purity from the initial purity to the post-sterilization purity of at most about 8%, the predetermined temperature is between about 100 and 125°C, the sterilization time is: 1) from about 20 minutes to about 33 hours at 100°C, 2) at least about 6 minutes and up to about 11 hours at 110°C, 3) at least about 3.5 minutes and up to about 6 hours at 115°C, 4) at least about 1 minute and up to about 2 hours at 125°C; and wherein the purity is defined as the percent concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate molecules in solution relative to the total concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate molecules plus concentration of substances that are derived from or related to the chlorhexidine gluconate molecules, and "about" means ±5% of the provided value. providing a container containing the aqueous antiseptic solution, the aqueous antiseptic solution comprising about 2.0% w/v chlorhexidine gluconate and a solvent containing 100%v/v water; heating the aqueous antiseptic solution to a predetermined temperature; maintaining the aqueous antiseptic solution at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; and terminating the heating of the aqueous antiseptic solution when the predetermined time expires, wherein the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time are selected such that after terminating the heating, the aqueous antiseptic solution is sterile; wherein the predetermined temperature and the predetermined time are selected such that the post-sterilization purity is at least about 90% and a percentage point change in purity from the initial purity to the post-sterilization purity of at most about 8%, the predetermined temperature is between about 100 and 125°C, the sterilization time is: 1) from about 20 minutes to about 33 hours at 100°C, 2) at least about 6 minutes and up to about 11 hours at 110°C, 3) at least about 3.5 minutes and up to about 6 hours at 115°C, 4) at least about 1 minute and up to about 2 hours at 125°C; and 1) from about 20 minutes to about 33 hours at 100°C, 2) at least about 6 minutes and up to about 11 hours at 110°C, 3) at least about 3.5 minutes and up to about 6 hours at 115°C, 4) at least about 1 minute and up to about 2 hours at 125°C; and wherein the purity is defined as the percent concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate molecules in solution relative to the total concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate molecules plus concentration of substances that are derived from or related to the chlorhexidine gluconate molecules, and "about" means ±5% of the provided value.