Autoclave sterilization promotes safety for those using hot towels. While hot towel cabinets are common fixtures in many industries, it is those that possess an autoclave sterilizer that should perhaps be most desirable. An autoclave is a controlled steam machine that is used to sterilize everything from metal medical equipment to tools (such as hot towels) that are used in the industry of luxury. Materials intended for sterilization are placed inside the autoclave, which removes the air from inside the enclosed space and then subjects the items to pressurized, saturated steam. The steam reaches temperatures of 120° C (or 2500° F) and towels—the particular item of concern in this case—must usually remain inside for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the load and strength of the autoclave sterilizer in question. Hot towel cabinets that employ autoclave technology are critical in medical professions, from dentistry to the veterinary field, and are key to maintaining a professional work environment in such businesses as massage parlors and spa facilities, as well as tattoo and body piercing shops.

Hot towel cabinets are sold in a vast variety of forms with an equally vast range of sterilizing options. While size and price are worthy and necessary considerations, when it comes to the quality of the sterilizer - the autoclave is overall the non-negotiable winner. Salons in particular—largely due to cost concerns—will employ hot towel cabinets that use UV light sterilizers, the theory (which is technically accurate) being that the UV light can affect the functioning of the cellular structure of bacteria by literally altering their DNA. When such changes occur, the organisms will ultimately die, theoretically leaving towels bacteria-free. However, while the UV light method is often used to great effect in aquariums, where the environment is evenly immersed in water, when dealing with towels that are at different stages of drying out and have different degrees of thickness due to folding. The UV light approach is not nearly full-proof. Not only is it often difficult to notice if the UV sterilizer has stopped working, it also simply cannot eliminate all of the harmful bacteria that are on towels that come into regular contact with human bodies. The autoclave, on the other hand, can.

Just as hot towel cabinets vary in size, so do autoclaves. Recent legislation in some states has begun trending towards requiring autoclaves in nail salons in particular, where metal tools can come into contact with many hands and feet. Smaller autoclaves, roughly the size of a microwave, are the most common for such salons, where these metal instruments can be steam-sanitized prior to each new use. In such cases, special bags are provided that will fully change color when each cleaning is complete. These bags, containing the instruments, should always be opened in front of clients to demonstrate that the steam cycle has been completed. The prices for instruments of this size can range from $400 to $1300, depending on brand, quality and exact sizes or functions. Larger autoclaves, which can be slightly smaller than a washing machine, can range from $1500 to $3000 or even $4000. Autoclaves at the larger and higher end of this size and price range are generally meant for scientific or medical purposes.