A process is described for the sterilisation treatment of post-consumer textile bales in which the non-sterile bales are exposed to pressurised steam. Preferably, the treated bale has less than 5 CFU.g-1 (BS1425) and, more preferably, less than 10 CFU.g-1. The treatment process may also clean, remove or degrade non-microbial contaminants. Preferably, the bales are comprised of chemically heterogenous material including stitched fabrics and textiles of single or mixed polymer composition. Preferably, the textile bundle comprises fabrics with a density of between 100 and 650 kg.m-3 and, more preferably, 255 and 650 kg.m-3. Preferably, the disinfection process is performed in a single step. Preferably, the vessel in which the material is contained is an autoclave capable of accommodating bales of approx. 1 m3 or greater. Preferably, the pressurisable vessel is a pre-vacuum autoclave. Preferably, the core temperature of the bale is from 120 °C to 140 °C for a period of five to 20 minutes and a steam pressure of between 1.5 bar and 4 bar.
