Can you put baby bottles in the dishwasher? Most parents pose this question when they have had enough of handwashing. Baby bottles pass through several feedings, and with each feeding and it is important to clean them in order to maintain the health of your baby. The positive thing is that nowadays most bottles can work with a dishwasher, provided that you take several clever precautions.
It’s important to know when to use dishwashers and which settings to use, the hazards that you should be aware of, and convenient options in case you wish to have dishwashers but decide to wash them manually. This guide makes it easy so that you are sure of your cleaning habits.
Are Baby Bottles Dishwasher Safe?
The majority of baby bottles can currently be put into a dishwasher, but not everything can withstand the same heat and pressure. The most popular label is a top rack only, which safeguards plastic bottles subjected to heat on the bottom of the machine.
Look for:
- A dishwasher-safe symbol on the bottom of the bottle.
- A “top rack only” label for plastic bottles.
- Guidance on how to handle nipples, rings, and vents.
Glass bottles can withstand a greater amount of heat and normally perform well in the bottom rack. Plastic bottles must remain on the top rack as far as possible to avoid being closer to the source of heating.
Best Practices for Washing Baby Bottles in the Dishwasher
It is better to realize beforehand that correct loading and soft settings are all that it takes. A dishwasher, when properly used, can clean a bottle without breaking anything. This is to assist you in achieving a safe and effective wash and avoiding the most common mistakes.
Step 1: Rinse Bottles Right After Feeding
Rinsing bottles immediately prevents milk from drying inside. Removal is also more difficult with residue that has been dried, even with a dishwasher, and could leave some sort of film or smell. To make the wash cycle effective, a quick rinse is used.
Step 2: Disassemble All Parts
Disassemble all the parts of the bottle, such as the bottle body, nipple, ring, vents, and internal inserts. This stops the milk from hiding in small areas and ensures that all surfaces are covered by water.
Step 3: Place Bottles Correctly
The bottles are to be consistently positioned at the top shelf, tilted downward, allowing the water to drain. This helps in diminishing heat exposure and warping of plastic bottles.
Little pieces are to be placed in a mesh bag or in a bottle basket that can be used in a dishwasher.
Step 4: Use Gentle, Baby-Safe Detergent
Select an unscented laundry detergent made for delicate baby clothes. Stinky smells or an aggressive chemical might leave a residual odor that the baby might taste or smell.
Step 5: Consider Baby-Specific Washers
A more basic and compact cleaning process, in which you insert bottles and select a longer cleaning cycle, would need such tools as the Momcozy infant bottle washer that provides a quick and gentle cleaning cycle without the risk of losing tiny parts or subjecting bottles to undue amounts of heat.
Step 6: Air-Dry After Washing
It is generally safe to air-dry the bottles, even in case your dishwasher has a drying option. Dry cycles give a bottle of plastic bottle its shape over time due to heat. Put all the parts that have been washed onto a dry rack until they are completely dry. Using a bottle sterilizer and dryer is also a good method.
Common Risks When Using a Dishwasher for Baby Bottles
Dishwashers are convenient, but they do come with a few risks. Knowing these ahead of time helps you avoid bottle damage and ensures your baby’s feeding items stay clean and safe.
- Heat Damage
In high temperatures, particularly in the process of heated drying, plastic bottles and nipples may distort. The warping will touch the bottle seal and life span, hence never store plastic goods in the lower tray and never dry in high temperatures.
- Lost or Damaged Small Parts
The strong spray pressure may dislodge nipples, valves, and rings. When they drop at the bottom of the dishwasher, they will melt, deform, or become trapped in the spray arms.
- Detergent Film
Baby items are too delicate to use some detergents and may leave behind a slight film or scent. Babies have delicate tastes or smells, and hence they can reject the bottles washed using severe detergents.
- Scratches on Plastic Bottles
Scratches inside plastic bottles may occur due to high water pressure and frequent contact of the containers. These scratches are able to trap remains and thus, the bottle becomes difficult to clean.
Dishwasher Settings Suitable for Baby Bottles
The correct settings in a dishwasher will be important in the preservation of bottles without the heat turning them into ashes. These guidelines make cleaning efficient, though sensitive.
- Best Setting for Routine Washing
Normal/gentle wash cycle is normally the safest one. These cycles are deep cleaning cycles that do not expose to high temperatures or harsh spray pressure.
- When to Use “Sanitize” Mode
Sanitize mode employs hot water, which kills bacteria and may be useful in deep cleaning. This is just safe, though, when your brand of bottle assures you that it can withstand extremely high temperatures.
- Settings to Avoid
Baby bottles should not be subjected to heavy-duty or high-temperature cycles or pot scrubbing. They are rough and can result in warping or melting, or damage to small components.
Alternatives to Dishwasher Cleaning for Baby Bottles
These are wonderful alternatives for parents who desire additional regulation on the cleaning procedure or must have an approach that applies to dainty bottle plans.
- Handwashing With Warm Soapy Water
The most prevalent alternative is this. Clean the inside with a soft bottle brush, though without scratches. Ensure water flows to the tight places, such as nipple ends and vents.
- Automatic baby bottle cleaning machine
Using a dedicated baby bottle cleaning machine will free up mothers’ hands and make the process safer.
- Microwave Steam Sterilizers
These employ the use of steam to destroy bacteria. They are cheap, quick, and very useful for everyday sanitizing.
- Electric Steam Sterilizers
These are machines with more powerful and even heat compared to the microwave sterilizers. They come in handy when you do not need to use a full dishwasher cycle.
- Boiling Method
In case your bottles can withstand boiling, put them in boiling water, approximately five minutes. The sanitization measure is very effective, but not applicable to all plastics.
Conclusion
To save time, energy, and stress, particularly on a hectic day, washing baby bottles in the dishwasher can help. With the help of the appropriate choices, mild backgrounds and cage-like covers, dishes can find the option of washing bottles in the dishwasher safely and efficiently. Knowing about the dangers will enable you to prevent harm, whereas knowing the options will allow you to be flexible whenever you require it. Using a correct method, you will be able to keep all bottles clean and your little one ready, and yet doing all the chores a day will not seem overwhelming.