What process effectively destroys all living organisms on a surface?

Sterilization is the process that effectively destroys all living organisms on a surface, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This high-level disinfection ensures that no viable microorganisms remain, making it essential in settings where the highest level of cleanliness is required, such as operating rooms or laboratories.

In contrast, sanitization reduces microbial populations but does not eliminate all organisms, thus making it suitable for everyday hygiene purposes rather than complete sterilization. Disinfection, while it may kill many pathogens, does not achieve the thorough eradication of all microorganisms. Cleaning typically involves the physical removal of dirt and debris, which may eliminate some microbes but does not ensure their complete destruction.

Thus, sterilization is unique in its ability to achieve a completely sterile environment, which is crucial in many professional and clinical scenarios.