Best way to wash bottles

How to Clean Baby Bottles

We know babies require a lot of stuff. And by a lot, we mean, a lot! All of those bottles, bottle parts, nipples, pacifiers, and sippy cups need to be cleaned. Over and over. Day after day. Here’s everything you need to know on how to clean baby bottles and parts, so you can worry less about all the “stuff” and spend more time with your little duckling!

How to Hand Wash Baby Bottles

It can seem daunting to have to hand wash your baby bottles, nipples, caps, and sippy cups after every use, but with the right steps you’ll find that scrubbing right away isn’t always necessary. So, you can pay more attention to tummy time and less on cleaning.

Here’s how to wash baby items by hand:

1. Things You’ll Need.

In addition to a sponge, we recommend purchasing a dedicated bottle brush with a nipple brush to clean all the hard-to-reach spots inside your baby’s bottles. For a gentle clean that’s free of dyes, use Dawn® Free and Clear.

2. Rinse Directly After Use.

As soon as you have finished feeding your baby, give your bottle a quick rinse with warm water, just to get rid of most leftover residue. You can come back to thoroughly wash a full day’s worth of bottles when you have more time.

3. Fill A Bowl with Hot Soapy Water.

Apply a squirt of Dawn® to a bowl of hot water. Dawn® works great for cleaning baby items because it does not leave a soapy residue on bottles when rinsed appropriately.

4. Separate the Bottle Parts.

It’s important to take apart every part of the bottle. Old milk can build up between the bottle, the ring, and the nipple.

5. Wash Bottle Parts Separately.

Place all of the bottle parts into hot, soapy water and wash them individually. Use a soapy bottle brush for the bottle and the nipple brush for the plastic nipples and rings. Next, gently squeeze soapy water through the nipple hole to flush out any trapped milk.

6. Rinse Bottle and Bottle Parts.

Rinse off the bottle and bottle parts thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining soap residue.

7. Dry Bottles and Attachments.

Place bottles and nipples upside down in the dish rack to dry. Your baby items are now clean and ready for another feeding. Prepare to do this several hundred more times, even in your sleep.

Handwashing Versus Dishwashing Baby Bottles

Baby bottles can pile up, especially with a newborn! It’s recommended to wash baby bottles after each use, especially during the infancy stage—but don’t worry! You do have a few options when it comes to protecting all those bottles from messes, so you can be more confident with every feeding. You can wash baby bottles and attachments in the dishwasher every few days, but make sure they’re dishwasher-safe before running the cycle. *

To clean baby bottles in the dishwasher:

Rinse baby bottles, nipples, caps, sippy cups and other attachments with warm water
Soak with warm water and a gentle dish soap like Dawn® Free and Clear, which is free of dyes
Rinse off bottles and attachments with warm water
Load into the top rack of your dishwasher
Set to a hot water washing cycle and heated drying cycle
Remove from dishwasher and place on a clean surface or baby bottle drying rack

In cases where your baby bottles aren’t dishwasher safe or your dishwasher is full, handwashing is also a great go-to when it comes to keeping bottles clean and safe for your little bundle.

How to Sterilize Baby Bottles

You’ll also want to consider using a baby bottle sterilizer during the early days. Sterilizing baby bottles and attachments helps remove germs and bacteria—especially if your little duckling is primarily bottle fed. If you’re using a bottle for the first time, you should always hand wash and sterilize it before giving it to baby. This helps ensure you’re starting off with a clean and sanitary bottle, every time.

Allow the baby bottle and parts to soak in warm, soapy water
Rinse off with warm water
Place in baby bottle sterilizer and follow the instructions provided for your particular brand of sterilizer
Once complete, store on a clean drying rack before use

You can also sterilize your baby bottles by placing them in boiling water—but be careful to not damage the nipple or any other attachments.

Can I Reuse My Old Baby Bottles?

When kept in good condition and thoroughly washed, you may be able to reuse your baby bottles with your next baby. However, it’s best to get new bottle attachments, such as nipples, as these can undergo wear and tear over time.

Whether new or used, always be sure to soak your baby bottles in warm, soapy water and sterilize before using.

Best Dish Soap for Baby Bottles

When it comes to ensuring your baby is getting the best, we understand that same notion extends to the dish soap you use as well. Here are our recommendations for top dishwashing liquids to use when cleaning baby bottles, bottle attachments, and first utensils:

For Soaking: Before sterilizing or running your baby’s bottles through a dishwasher, use a foaming dish soap like Dawn® Platinum Dishwashing Foam. Just one pump creates more than enough soapy foam to penetrate leftover formula and milk residue.
For Everyday Handwashing: Dawn® Free & Clear is powerful enough to tackle any leftover messes, including baby food and milk residue, and gentle enough to use on delicate items, while also being free of dyes and phosphates.

With Dawn® dish soap it’s So Dawn Easy to keep all your baby items clean, so you can feel more confident when feeding your cooing little duckling!

How To Clean A Baby Bottle Correctly In 5 Steps

Risks of an Unsanitary Bottle

As Cleveland Clinic notes, babies younger than 3 months old are still developing their immune systems and are more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. The South Australian Women's and Children's Health Network also stresses the importance of sterilizing bottles to prevent sickness in infants up to the age of 6 months — or even up to a year. Unwashed or poorly washed bottles may expose your baby to certain risks, including:

Tooth Decay

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that tooth decay in babies can occur as the result of exposure to liquids for an extended amount of time, such as if you let them sleep with a bottle that contains juice. This allows acid-producing bacteria to build up in their mouth and cause decay. Additionally, according to the Northern Ireland Public Health Agency, formula milk may contain bacteria — which can multiply if a bottle is left at room temperature.

Rotavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that this stomach bug can spread from touching contaminated objects or surfaces. That's why the Government of Western Australia Department of Health advises parents to wash their hands frequently, including before preparing baby bottles.

Cronobacter Infections

The CDC notes that Cronobacter germs can contaminate dry, powdered foods, such as infant formula and, subsequently, baby bottles. This type of bacteria can cause a very rare but potentially life-threatening blood infection called sepsis, particularly in infants.

How to Clean a Baby Bottle Correctly

To avoid these risks, here are five simple steps to get your baby's bottle squeaky clean and ready for use. Remember to clean the bottle immediately after every feeding to prevent any bacterial contamination.

Properly Wash Your Own Hands
You might be surprised that many people forget this crucial first step. In fact, 97% of people aren't washing their hands correctly, according to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This opens up the potential for cross-contamination. If you're out and about, a squeeze of sanitizer or finding the nearest restroom to wash your own hands thoroughly with soapy water can save you from transmitting germs onto the bottle or nipple.
Take Apart Bottle Parts
No matter the type of bottle you're using, the CDC recommends separating all the components to ensure you clean each part properly.
Rinse Under Running Water
The CDC notes that you can rinse your bottle parts under cold or warm water, whichever you prefer. The key step here is to keep them under running water and not let them sit in the sink.
Scrub in Soapy Water
After rinsing the bottle parts under running water, the CDC recommends filling a separate basin with hot water and soap. This should be a dedicated container you use to clean the baby bottle. Scrub each part individually with a dedicated brush only used on bottles. Then, rinse the parts under running water again.
Dry on a Rack or Clean Space
Place all the bottle parts on a clean paper towel or dish towel, and store them in a dust-free, clean space. Allow them to air dry rather than patting them dry, as the CDC explains that patting them dry can transfer germs from the towel to the newly cleaned bottle.

How to Sanitize a Baby Bottle

The CDC recommends fully sterilizing all feeding items at least once a day to rid them of all microorganisms that can spread disease. Sterilizing is especially important for babies under 3 months old, those who were born prematurely or those with weakened immune systems. Here are three sterilization methods you might use:

Wash by hand: The CDC recommends placing all feeding components in boiling water for five minutes.
Use a dishwasher: If your baby bottle is labeled as dishwasher-safe, the CDC advises choosing a hot-water cycle and heated dry or a sanitizing setting to kill more germs.
Use a microwave tool: You might also be interested in using a steaming tool with your microwave. Follow the instructions on your individual product and be sure to clean the steamer after each use, as recommended by the Women's and Children's Health Network. Glass bottles should not be put in a microwave steamer.

Now that you know how to wash a baby bottle correctly, follow these tips every day to ensure your child stays healthy and happy.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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Ways to clean stains inside cans and bottles, traditional and folk methods

Tip from the bartender on how to clean a bottle with a narrow neck at home. A very simple method of washing a narrow-necked jar using rice and soda is used.

Article

How to wash bottles

Each person has narrow-necked bottles and jars in the household. When you need to wash a three-liter jar, this does not cause problems. The neck is wide and the palm can easily pass through it. And then it's a matter of technology.

But what to do when the neck is so narrow that not only the palm of the hand, even a finger can hardly fit through it. And you have to wash. Today, an experienced bartender shares his way. Who better than a bartender to know about washing wine bottles.

It's great to use a special brush for washing. But it doesn't matter if he doesn't.

How to clean the inside of a bottle with a narrow neck

Fill the bottle about one third with water. It's okay if you fill half the bottle with water, it doesn't matter.

Then put ordinary rice in a jar or bottle. We take dry rice, not boiled. If there are certain difficulties when pouring rice into the neck, then use a funnel. If there is no funnel, then roll the paper into a bag.

And add some soda.

We take a bottle filled with rice, soda and water and start shaking. We shake as it is done with ordinary bottles.

Baking soda will kill germs and sanitize the inside of the bottle. And rice will help to scrape off the remnants of the drink, which were not reached by the hands.

How to wash jars if there is no soda

Paper

If you do not have rice in your household, then it is replaced with ordinary paper. To wash a jar with a narrow neck, newsprint is suitable. First, water is poured into the quarter. Fill not completely, about half or a third of the total volume. The newspaper is first torn into pieces. Throw pieces of newspaper into the interior of the container filled with water and wait a few minutes. After the paper swells, the container begins to shake. The paper hits the walls and cleans the dirt.

Rice

Paper is not the best choice to replace rice. It is better to give preference to river sand. Sand cleans bottles better from the dirtiest waste. Sand cleans all hard-to-remove oily substances. Therefore, sand is suitable for cleaning both household containers and household canisters. The principle of exposure to sand is similar to the use of rice and paper. Fall asleep, soak and shake.

Clean water

The glass has been washed, what should I do next? Be sure to wash the bottle in clean water. If the container is planned to be used for drinking needs, then it will be necessary to rinse it with clean water very carefully. It will be very unpleasant when sand or particles of rice get into your favorite drink.

Grass and nettles

You can use the most popular way of cleaning bottles in antiquity - the use of grass or nettles. Actions are similar using rice, soda or sand. Only instead of these fillers, nettles or stems of dense bushes are placed in the container. This approach allows moving the stems to clean the jar more efficiently, because the nettle acts as a brush.

Checking the quality of the wash

Look at the walls of the wine vessel. A small amount of substance remains on the walls of the vessel - as a result, the wine will be spoiled. Even very tiny particles, after filling the container with wine, will swell and rot. The rotting process will render the entire drink unusable.

Detergents

A good housewife will always have vinegar or dishwashing liquid on hand. Such substances cope with simple pollution and precipitation on the walls of bottles. The action of vinegar and dish detergent is so obvious that it makes no sense to consider these options.

Date of publication of the article: October 18, 2018 at 08:00
Last update: February 22, 2021 at 15:470001

Tip from the bartender on how to wash a bottle with a narrow neck at home. A very simple method of washing a narrow-necked jar using rice and soda is used.