Bottle washing. It’s not something any of us look forward to, but it is a really important task. Whether you’re giving your little one formula, pumped milk or water, keeping those bottles clean and sterilised is inevitable. And while it might not be top of your favourite to-do-list it doesn’t have to be a chore.
With our essential bottle cleaning tips (and a few handy products), it’ll be super simple and safe. Even if you end up doing it at midnight, ready for a long night and day of feeding!
Super sanitisation
Just because something’s straight out of the package, it doesn’t mean it’s ready to use. NHS advice is to sterilise all feeding equipment until your baby is at least 12 months old. When you get any new bottles, teats or pump parts, a five minute bath in some boiling water is ideal for sterilising. Or you can opt for one of our handy sterilisers.
So, do you need to sterilise daily? It’s a question you’ll likely be asking yourself, and if you speak to your mum or dad friends you’ll probably get conflicting answers. Some parents opt for simple soaking and washing every day and then use a steriliser every few days. Whilst others will opt for sterilising every day. It really is up to you.
But (and this is a big but) if your baby has a weakened or compromised immune system, daily sterilisation may be the way to go. And if you’re unsure, check with your midwife or doctor.
At Munchkin, you’ll find a variety of options when it comes to sterilisers. Our favourites include the 59s Mini Portable UV Steriliser Plus (yes, that’s right it uses UV light) which can sterilise bottle teats and soothers in just 59 seconds. It’s also great for on-the-go and travel sterilising.
We also love these Cool Touch Steriliser Bags which are reusable and go straight in the microwave – that means there’s no need to sacrifice precious counter space to get those bottles and bottle parts clean.
Clean, clean… and then do a bit more cleaning
It’s time to break out the soap and water! Grab your basics – large bowl, gentle soap, bottle brushes and a drying rack – don your washing up gloves and off you go.
First, take apart the bottle or pump, piece by piece. Rinse each part in hot water and make sure you get rid of any visible traces of milk or other liquid. Then take the parts out one by one and start scrubbing each crevice with a bottle brush. Circle the brush inside the bottle several times. A teat brush will help you get into those hard to reach places.
Finally, don’t forget to rinse and clean your cleaning tools. Try and put them in the steriliser or dishwasher at least once every few days. And if you’re looking for some safe suds for your little one when washing their bottles, brands like Attitude and Milton are a good place to start.
Get some specialty brushes… and a drying rack
We’ve already mentioned brushes haven’t we? To really make sure your bottles, bottle parts and pump parts are properly clean, you need some specialist brushes.
At Munchkin, our brushes have earned a permanent spot in many kitchens up and down the country. And for good reason. They are specially designed to clean awkward spots, whether bottle teats or pump parts. You’ll find our brushes have a strong sponge scrubbing tip and the durable bristles are scratch-free, yet soft. Most importantly, the soft rubber teat brush is gentle on small parts too. For an added bonus, our bottle brushes stand upright, keeping the heads off counters and away from germs.
So, once you’re done washing, where’s the best place to dry all your bottle and pumping paraphernalia? A drying rack of course!
Having a drying rack for all your brushes, bottles and other utensils is ideal to finish off your washing session. It will keep them separate from any other washing up in your kitchen and will ensure all that cleaning and sterilisation wasn’t wasted! This Fold Deluxe Bottle Drying Rack is the perfect pick to keep all your bottles upright as they dry.
Whether you’re doing it first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed – or just when you need a clean bottle – cleaning and sterilising doesn’t have to be a burden. With the right equipment it’ll be a breeze.
Looking for more parenting tips and tricks? Why not check out our StrollerCoaster podcast?