Quick Answer
Washing baby bottles with just soap and water is generally not recommended. Health organizations like the CDC and FDA advise using bottle sterilizers or boiling water to fully sanitize and disinfect bottles. Soap and water alone cannot kill all potentially harmful germs and bacteria that could make a baby sick. However, if boiling or using a sterilizer is not possible, washing bottles thoroughly with hot, soapy water is better than not washing them at all. Be sure to scrub every surface and rinse very thoroughly. Allow to fully air dry before each use.
Overview
New baby bottles should be sterilized before first use to remove manufacturing residue and germs. After that, the CDC recommends sterilizing bottles at least daily during the first 3-6 months, and continuing until 1 year old if your baby has a weak immune system or was born prematurely.
Bottles only need to be sterilized before first use if they are brand new. However, after bottles have been used, they need to be thoroughly sanitized between each use to prevent illness. The warm, moist environment inside bottles provides the perfect place for bacteria, viruses, and other germs to rapidly multiply if not fully killed.
Without proper sanitizing, germs can build up over repeated uses. Babies have very new immune systems, so they are extremely vulnerable to becoming sick from contaminated bottles. Therefore, it is not recommended to just rely on soap and water washing. Using a sterilizer or boiling water is the best way to sanitize used bottles and prevent harmful germ exposure.
Why Sterilize Bottles?
Sterilizing bottles eliminates dangerous microorganisms that could make a baby very sick:
- Bacteria – E. coli, listeria, salmonella, streptococcus, etc.
- Viruses – rotavirus, respiratory viruses, polio, etc.
- Yeasts and molds
- Parasites
Babies do not have fully developed immune systems, so ingesting these types of germs can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration. Infections could even result in hospitalization. Some viruses and bacteria like polio can have lifelong consequences. Proper sterilization destroys these microbes to prevent illness.
How Soap Fails to Fully Sanitize
Washing bottles with soap and water simply cannot eliminate germs and bacteria as effectively as sterilizers. Here’s why:
- Does not heat bottles enough to kill most viruses and spore-forming bacteria.
- Does not remove all traces of soap residue.
- Does not fully dry the inner surfaces enough to prevent mold/yeast growth.
- May not remove bacterial biofilm buildup over time.
The friction of scrubbing with soap and water helps remove some germs and dirt. However, simply washing does not heat bottles to the high temperatures required to destroy things like fungal spores. Any leftover soap residue also encourages bacterial growth.
For these reasons, the FDA and other health organizations caution against solely relying on soap and water for bottle cleaning. However, if you are unable to boil or sterilize bottles, washing with soap and very hot water is still better than nothing.
Proper Washing Technique
If sterilizing is not an option, follow these steps to wash baby bottles as safely as possible with soap and hot water:
- Wash hands thoroughly before handling bottles.
- Take apart all bottle pieces – separate nipples, caps, internal parts.
- Wash bottle parts in hot, soapy water. Use bottle brush to scrub insides.
- Rinse 2-3 times with very hot, clean water.
- Air dry fully on a disinfected surface.
- Reassemble before next use.
Be sure to scrub every surface, especially the bottle nipple where milk residue can get trapped. Pay close attention to crevices and textured areas. Fully rinse away all soap each time to prevent residue buildup.
Air drying is also critical. Do not dry with towels which can harbor bacteria. Bottles must completely air dry after each wash to discourage any potential microbial growth in remaining moisture.
Tips for Better Hand Washing
To optimize the safety of hand washed bottles:
- Use hot water around 140°F and avoid cold water.
- Choose fragrance-free dish soap to prevent skin irritation.
- Consider microwave steam sanitizing bags to heat nipples/pacifiers.
- Replace bottle parts like nipples every 2-3 months with regular use.
- Wash hands frequently and avoid touching inside surfaces.
The hotter the water, the more effective it will be for killing microbes. Be cautious of burns though. Use dish soap without added scents, oils, or moisturizers which can stick to bottles. Microwave steam bags provide a quick way to heat small parts like nipples to sanitize without chemicals. Replace parts regularly as they wear out and can trap more dirt over time.
Of course, hand hygiene when handling bottles is also critical. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after contact with bottles to prevent spreading germs.
Sterilizing vs Sanitizing
What’s the difference between sterilizing and sanitizing bottles?
Sterilizing bottles refers to fully destroying and removing all forms of microbial life – bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and spores. This requires high heat of 212°F for at least 10 minutes.
Sanitizing aims to reduce the microbial load to much safer levels, but does not kill all microorganisms. Typically involves chemical sanitizers or heat below 212°F. Still highly recommended for bottles over just soap and water.
Boiling water, steam sterilizers, and dishwasher cycles are common ways to fully sterilize bottles. Bleach solutions, vinegar, and other sanitizers reduce germs to safer levels when sterilizing is not an option.
Sterilization Methods
| Method | How it Works |
|---|---|
| Boiling | Heats bottles in 212°F boiling water for 5+ minutes to kill germs. |
| Steam sterilizers | Uses hot pressurized steam around 254°F to sterilize. |
| Dishwasher | High heat dishwasher cycles sanitize at 155-165°F. |
| UV light | UV lamps emit radiation lethal to microorganisms. |
| Microwave steam bags | Bags heat small parts like nipples in the microwave. |
Any sterilization method using very hot temperatures above 212°F ensures strong enough heat to kill all germs fast. Steam also penetrates surfaces well. UV light effectively destroys contamination too.
Sanitizing Options
If unable to sterilize bottles, these sanitizing options reduce microbial contamination:
| Method | How it Works |
|---|---|
| Diluted bleach | Kills many bacteria and viruses. Rinse thoroughly. |
| Vinegar | Acidity fights bacteria. Rinse fully. |
| Dishwasher | sanitize cycle uses heat around 155°F. |
| Steam microwave bags | Bags heat small parts like nipples. |
| Bottle sanitizer tablets | Dissolving tablets release sanitizing solution. |
The key is thoroughly rinsing any soaps, bleaches, or chemicals after treatment to prevent residue. Steam heating small parts also helps reach hotter temperatures.
Conclusion
Sterilizing baby bottles with steam, boiling water, or steam bags is highly recommended, especially for newborns in the first 3-6 months. Sterilization destroys all types of harmful germs that could make a baby sick.
If sterilization is not possible, thoroughly washing bottles in very hot, soapy water can reduce bacterial contamination – but not fully sanitize. Take care to completely scrub all surfaces and rinse away soap residue each time. Let bottles completely air dry before reuse. Replace nipples and parts regularly.
While not ideal, hand washing bottles with soap and hot water is still better than not washing at all. Be diligent with technique and supplement with other sanitizing options when able. With proper washing, bottles can be reused safely. But when in doubt, sterilize!