What process eliminates many or all microorganisms, except for bacterial spores, from inanimate objects?

The process that effectively eliminates many or all microorganisms, except for bacterial spores, from inanimate objects is disinfection. Disinfection involves the use of chemical agents or heat to reduce the number of pathogens to a level that is considered safe, although it does not achieve complete sterilization. This means that while most harmful microorganisms are killed, resilient bacterial spores may remain.

Disinfection is particularly crucial in facilities where sanitation is a priority, such as in cosmetology, to ensure the safety of tools and surfaces that come into contact with clients. It is an essential step in infection control practices to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

In contrast, sterilization is a more rigorous process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including spores, making it unnecessary for non-critical surfaces or instruments. Sanitization generally refers to the process of reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level, which may still involve some pathogens. Filtration is a method of physically removing microorganisms from liquids or air rather than killing them or reducing their numbers chemically.