text: what is "autoclaving" ??? i have a pack of q-tips that i clean stuff with at work, on the outside of the packet is says "autoclaving will turn the pink line brown" obviously a pink line is present. so no autoclaving here? wtf is it? and what can i do to it to turn it brown? the q-tips are in a sterilizable packet. this packet can be put into an autoclave - an instrument used for sterilizing medical supplies and equipment. most are steam sterilizers. when the packet has been "baked" in the autoclave, the line turns color at a certain temp to let you know the packet reached a temp that would effectivley sterilize the contents.