None of these chemicals sterilize the surface to which they are applied. Sterilization requires high temperatures, such as found in an autoclave. These chemicals, and others such as iodine, are used to sanitize surfaces. The best results are obtained by soaking the item in the chemical solution for several minutes. The most common of these sanitizing agents is household bleach or sodium hypochlorite. Bleach and bleach compounds are widely used in industry for sanitizing equipment, particularly in the food industry. It is usually sold at the retail level in concentrations of 4% or 5%, which is further diluted for sanitizing purposes. If you purchase household bleach from a grocery store for this purpose, you must use one that is pure sodium hypochlorite, without any added fabric softeners or perfumes. Metals such as stainless steel are usually resistant to bleach, but it can affect the surface finish of some. Note that bleach can react with other chemicals and form dangerous gases. Iodine cleaners work as well as bleach, but without the chemical complications. Bleach and iodine compound cleaners are available from home wine- and beer-making suppliers in economical quanitities. Rubbing or isopropyl alcohol is equally effective, but much more expensive to use. Ammonia is not recommended, because its fumes are toxic and it is highly reactive. It is the most dangerous of these chemicals to use and provides no benefits.

submerge your metal item in alcohol, better yet, a high proof beverage like Everclear, for 24hrs. that will be as close to sterilization as you'll get without an autoclave, gas sterilizer, or radiation.

soaking in rubbing alcohol does NOT sterilize. not even close. hepatitis of all types survive it, as will staph, no matter how long you soak it. madacide sterilizes, provided you use it properly. it requires submersion or complete wetting of the surface for 10 minutes to be effective. spraying and wiping it off is not adequate, although i've seen lots of people do it. . .read the bottle. and take a blood-borne pathogens certification course!