Which type of cleaning method uses heat to kill bacteria?

The method that uses heat to kill bacteria is sterilization. This process involves applying heat to eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. Sterilization is considered the most effective way to ensure that instruments and surfaces are free from any pathogens, making it crucial in settings such as healthcare and beauty treatments.

Disinfection, while it involves killing many bacteria and viruses, does not necessarily eliminate all microbes, particularly resistant spores. It typically uses chemical agents rather than heat. Sanitization reduces the number of pathogens to a safe level but does not guarantee total eradication, and it may also involve both cleaning and disinfecting processes. Decontamination is a broader term that includes any process that removes, inactivates, or destroys pathogens to a level considered safe, which can involve cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization but does not specifically refer to the use of heat.