Different Types of Needles

1
Solid vs.

Solid vs. Hollow

There are various types of needles meant for different purposes. For example, some are meant for sewing, but they can also be used for stitching a wound. Some are hollow as they are meant for injecting and extracting fluids. The different needles need to be cleaned differently. The hollow needle, for example, should be cleaned on the inside as well as the outside.

2
Material

When sterilizing a needle, you need to consider its material as well. Needles are made of glass, metal or plastic. Chemicals might react with some metals resulting in poisonous combinations. When using plastics, remember that they have low melting points and sterilization by heat is a bad idea. Always have this at the back of your mind before sterilizing a needle.