Sanitizing device and method for sanitizing articles

The invention provides an apparatus for sanitizing a plurality of articles, which comprises a housing enclosing a sanitizing zone, the housing having a seal for preventing leakage of gas or fluid from the sanitizing zone; a pump for introducing an antimicrobial fluid into the sanitizing zone; and a pump for withdrawing the fluid from the sanitizing zone. The device also includes at least one high power microwave source and at least one ultraviolet irradiating source, or a microwave source that also generates ultraviolet radiation. Preferably, the gas is a halogen, such as chlorine, bromine, or iodine, or a gas or fluid containing chlorine or bromine ions, but it can be ozone or another gas which kills bacteria, microbes, viruses, and other pathogens. The fluid can also be sprayed droplets or vaporized sodium hypochlorite, or similar antiseptic agent.