Autoclaving, sometimes called steam sterilization, is the use of pressurized steam to kill infectious agents and denature proteins. This kind of "wet heat" is considered the most dependable method of sterilizing laboratory equipment and decontaminating biohazardous waste.

Autoclaves use saturated steam under pressure of approximately 15 pounds per square inch to achieve a chamber temperature of at least 250°F (121°C) for a prescribed time—usually 30–60 minutes.