Washing and Sterilizing Baby's Dishes

It may seem like the suds won't stop with all the handwashing of baby's dishes. If you're like me, I just can't do a dishwasher for baby's items. This may be a different wash routine than others, but this is what I feel cleans best. Who knows, it may be overkill. . .  . 

I like to use two wash basins that are specifically for baby's dishes - one for wash, one for rinse. Squirt some dish detergent in hot, hot water. Baby dish detergent is available, but good ole' blue Dawn will do. Add a capful or two of bleach every two weeks or so. Some will disagree with this, but bleach is a great killer of bacteria. Beware that the bleach will make bottles cloudy. 

Don't forget a $1 baby bottle brush with small nipple brush from Dollar Tree to get those hard to reach bottle spots or small nipple areas. 

In a large pot with water, allow water to reach boiling point. Start this when first washing items. After rinsing dishes, add several items to the boiling water. Start with washing/rinsing/boiling soft items, like nipples or silicone materials such as the Haakaa, for about five minutes. Hard plastic items can boil 10-15 minutes. After soft items, I like to do the hard items such as breast parts, then bottles, last any solid food items such as spoons, plastic food containers, glass baby jars. As you can tell in the picture, I mixed items in together this time. That's fine. I am just an organizer and like things in order.

Have a pair of tongs to pull hot items out of boiling water. 

Place on a bath towel, drying rack, or a container. 

Air dry or dry with a kitchen towel.

Again, this may be overkill. Better safe than sorry... I guess. 

This is basic information, but for some MooMa's or daddy's everything is all new and any information is great. I hope this helps you in thinking about and deciding a wash routine. If you choose to stick it in the dishwasher, it may be just as well. Research the options on your own, deciding what is best for you and your baby. Let MooMa know if you use this wash routine or another routine by commenting below.