There are a number of different ways to clean baby bottles. As you want your baby’s bottles to be sparkling clean and fresh, free from bacteria, and completely safe, you might like to consider some “tried-and-true” ideas.

For the best results, your baby’s bottle should be thoroughly cleaned before its first use, after each use, and also if it has not been used for a long period of time. Brushes are an inexpensive but important investment. You can purchase individual bottle brushes and nipple brushes, or choose one product which contains both brushes. As these, also, need to be kept clean and fresh, it is a good idea to purchase more than one.

One aspect of bottle cleaning depends upon the type of bottle your baby uses. While boiling water is safe for glass bottles, you should not use boiling water if you have plastic bottles. The reason for this is that some plastic bottles contain a chemical which can be released if boiling water is used. Even if the bottle does not contain these chemicals, boiling water may damage the bottle itself.

While mothers have been using bleach to clean baby bottles for generations, this is not the best option. Although the small amount of bleach would generally not be considered toxic, there is no reason to use it at all when there is a much safer alternative. Not only is baking soda a non-toxic alternative, it is also completely natural. Baking soda is the healthiest product you can use to clean your baby’s bottles.

You may be tempted to put your baby’s bottles in the dishwasher. However, if you want a thorough cleaning job, cleaning them by hand does not take much time or effort, and you will have better results. You should begin by taking the bottle apart, so that the bottle, nipple, and ring are all separate. You can allow these parts to soak in the hot water with baking soda added. This will also help any dried or sticky material to loosen, so the bottle can be cleaned more easily.

Each part of the bottle should be gently scrubbed with the appropriate brush. A small amount of mild dish detergent can aid in the cleaning. Each piece should be thoroughly rinsed afterward, to ensure that no soap residue remains.

After you have cleaned and rinsed each part of the bottle, they should be allowed to dry separately. It is a good idea to refrain from using a towel, as small fibers can come off the towel and attach to the bottle. The separate pieces should dry in a clean area, and not be put back together until they are all completely dry.

Keeping your baby’s bottles clean is important for his good health. He will also enjoy his milk, juices, and water much more when his bottles are fresh and safe. While you may consider investing in a bottle sanitizer, cleaning them by hand is not difficult. A little time put into cleaning his bottles will result in a healthy, happy baby.