Sterilizing A Used Device?

I would boil it. Probably 2 or 3 cycles

 

I'd boil. But I'd also use hydrogen peroxide. And a toothbrush. I am sure the "germs" are long dead from the previous user. It's the calcified organic matter you want to make sure is gone.

 

1. Boil it to kill everything.
2. Run it through an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with soap to strip off any oils or other stuff. A dishwasher can also work for this.
3. Closely inspect for anything else that might be stuck.
4. Hydrogen peroxide and a toothbrush might work well for anything that is still there.
5. Boil it again just to be sure.

 

No need to go nuclear on cleaning. Isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing!) will kill anything and completely evaporate leaving no residue, which is the goal here. If you're looking for overkill, soak it in a dish of it and use a cotton swab dipped in it to scrub any holes / crevices. $3 later, you're good to lock.

 

What about chlorine / bleach , would it be safe to use with metallic materials? (like steel or others?) .

(We had recently similar dillemas like in this thread, regarding metallic uretha rods - even new, we wanted to make sure they are super clean.)

 

If boiling is sufficient to keep your canned tomatoes from developing botulism, probably good enough for a used cage.

When I sold my used mature metal stainless device I did what would have me feel comfortable if I received it. I used a cotton ball and generous isopropyl alcohol to wipe it down. Then I ran it through a hot cycle in the dishwasher. I’m pretty comfortable the new owner got a very sterile device.

 

I've seen crud stay on body jewelry after being soaked overnight in isopropyl alcohol, so while it would kill pretty much anything it might not remove it.