Whats the difference?

[Martin the fish]

between Steriliser Cleaner Bottlewash & Sodium Metabisulphite? I got 250g of each with my starter kit. I've only used the sodium meta so far. Don't seem to have any probs. But i'd really like to know what each is actually for? They are both manufactured by Brewcraft.
The Steriliser Cleaner Bottlewash States 1 level tsp per 5 litres warm water. If that helps at all...

[Martin the fish]

Ok. Why didn't they tell me that in the instructions?

I'll use the steriliser for sterilising from now on.

I'm learning something new everyday here

[Immy's Dad]

Is there a cheap source of Sodium Met, apart from home brew shops? Is it called anything else?

[BarryNL]

Isn't sodium (or potassium) metabisulphate only effective as a sanitizer provided you add an acid as well? It's certainly on the instructions on the packaging of the campden power I have from Brewferm.

[Aleman]

It is more effective in an acid solution, however it is not all that effective for beer, although it does act as an antifermentative knocking back wild yeasts