A steriliser unit (10) for sterilising an absorbent body (30), such as a sponge is disclosed. The steriliser unit firstly comprises a container (12) for holding a disinfectant, the container providing a soak position (22) and a discharge position (26). The steriliser unit also includes a discharge unit (14) for cooperation with the container, the discharge unit defines a compression compartment (28) in which the absorbent body can be held. The discharge unit is further movable between a release position in which the absorbent body can be located within the compression compartment and a compression position in which the discharge unit will apply a compressive force on the absorbent body inside the compression compartment. In use the compression compartment can be located within the soak position of the container when the discharge unit is located in its release position, thereby allowing the absorbent body to absorb an amount of disinfectant. The discharge unit can also be moved to its compression position when the compression compartment is located in the discharge position of the container, such that the absorbent body is compressed to squeeze out the disinfectant which it had absorbed when it was located inside the soak position of the container. This feature allows the user to place the steriliser unit into a microwave, for example, to heat the disinfectant while the sponge is in the disinfectant, and then squeeze out the hot disinfectant without risk of harm from the hot liquid.
