The best replacement for sterilization is disinfection.

The best alternatives to sterilization are rated as following:
★★★★★  disinfection
★★★  pasteurization
★★  sanitization
★★  vasectomy
★  high level disinfection
★  sanitation
★  hysterectomy
★  aseptic
★  surgical method
★  autoclave
  disinfectant
  disinfection dental
  gravity sterilization
  decontamination
  sterilisation
  depyrogenation
  prevac sterilization
  tubal ligation
  sterilization
  pasteurization milk
  steam sterilization
  disinfectants
  terminal sterilization
  disinfecting
  eto
  gamma
  gamma sterilization

Your alternative for sterilization is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about sterilization, one probably shouldn't forget about ethylene oxide.

Other search terms related to sterilization and their ratings are:
★★★★★ ethylene oxide
You have in mind a companion for sterilization and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of sterilization in all years. Click on graph for more.
sterilization
disinfection
pasteurization