Objective To study the sterilization effect and cost of three different packaging materials for medical disinfection and sterilization, and to provide reference for rational selection of packaging material. Methods Surgical instruments required in laparotomy were respectively packed with cotton, nonwovens and a new fabric, with 5 packages for each material. Then all the packages were sterilized in the same high-pressure steam sterilizer for 30 repeated cycles. The sterilization effect, wet package, performance parameter and washing cost were compared among the 3 materials. Washing status was also compared between cotton and the new fabric. Results All the packages were successfully sterilized, with the qualified rate of sterilization being 100%, but the incidence of wet package was 3.33%, 1.33%, and 0.67% using cotton, non wovens, and the new fabric. Nonwovens were disposed as medical waste after use. Washing with the same machine, washing parameter and loading volume for 5 times, indicated 266 sheets of cotton and 453 sheets of the new fabric were washed per time set. Conclusion All the packaging materials can ensure sterilization effect. The cotton shows relatively poor resistance of bacteria for high incidence of wet package, nonwovens show good resistance of bacteria but relatively high cost, and the new fabric demonstrates good resistance of bacteria and low cost for washing and drying.