Article: Steam is one of the most widely used and effective methods for sterilizing needles. No living thing can survive direct exposure to saturated steam at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius) for longer than 15 minutes. Use a steaming pot to do this. Put water in the bottom pot. When it starts to boil, place the needle in the pot with the holes over the boiling pot, then cover it with a lid. Let it steam for at least 20 minutes. An autoclave is a tool specifically made for sterilizing needles and other tools by steam. If you need to sterilize needles often and precisely, you may want to invest in one. Wrap the needle in multiple layers of clean cloth. Bake the needle for 1 hour at 340 degrees Fahrenheit. This is one way to completely sterilize the needle by killing all the microorganisms. Make sure you leave it in the oven long enough. This method can be used to sterilize needles used for acupuncture, medical use, and piercings and tattoos. Dry heat can cause the needle to become brittle. Use a gas-fueled fire because they leave less residue behind. Place the needle tip in the flame until it glows red. Sterilizing a needle in a flame is good for home use, but doesn't get completely sterile because the needle can pick up contaminants in the air afterwards. If there are any soot or carbon deposits on the needle, wipe it with a sterile gauze pad. This method is effective for removing a splinter, but is not the most sterile. Therefore, it is not recommended for piercing, tattooing, or medical uses. One way to sterilize a needle is to drop it in boiling water. After you wash and rinse your tools, cover them with water and boil for 20 minutes. Start counting the 20 minutes after the water has reached a boil. You can sterilize a needle by using chemicals. Soak in the mixture for at least 20 minutes, unless it's drinking alcohol. If you use drinking alcohol, soak it in that solution for an entire day. You can rinse the needle in the following chemicals: Bleach. If it's 5% available chlorine, you can use it undiluted. If it is 10%, use 1 part bleach to 1 part water; for 15%, use 1 part bleach to 2 parts water. If you don't have bleach, use one of the following chemicals: ethanol (medical alcohol) 70%, isopropyl alcohol 70%, or hydrogen peroxide 6%.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use steam. Bake the needle. Use fire. Boil the needle in water. Use chemicals.