Sterilize Bottles

Sterilizing bottles kills bacteria and other microorganisms that may be harmful to your health. It's a good idea to sterilize bottles that you plan to repurpose for storing food. The same sterilization methods can be used for baby bottles and any other container made of glass or hardy plastic. Learn how to sterilize bottles using boiling water, steam sterilizer, or chemical sterilizer.

Steps

  1. Wash your hands. Before starting any type of sterilization method, make sure your hands are clean. Use warm, soapy water and rinse them well.
  2. Wash the bottles. Use warm, soapy water to wash the insides and outsides of the bottles. Make sure to scrub around grooves in the neck of the bottle and remove all traces of food, then rinse the bottles well.
    • If you plan to sterilize the bottle lids or nipples, wash them thoroughly as well.
    • If you're working with bottles that have caked-on substances inside, soak them in a mild bleach solution (a capful of bleach for each gallon of water) to loosen the substance, then wash with soapy water and rinse.

Sterilizing Bottles with Boiling Water

  1. Locate a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. It must be big enough to hold the bottles and close the lid. A dutch oven or large soup pot is usually the right size.
  2. Place the bottles in the pot and cover them with water. Make sure they are completely submerged. Put the lid on the pot and turn up the heat to high. Bring the water to a boil and allow the bottles to boil for 5 full minutes.
    • If you have too many bottles to fit in your pot, you can sterilize your bottles in batches.
    • You can add the lids and nipples to the pot with the bottles.
    • Don't add bottles to water that is already boiling. The shock from the heat could cause the glass to break.
    • Don't let the bottles boil for more than 5 minutes. This is a sufficient amount of time to sterilize them.
  3. Remove the pot from heat. Let the water cool a bit, then use a pair of tongs to remove the bottles from the pot and set them on a clean dishcloth to drain.
    • Make sure your hands are clean when you handle the bottles after sterilizing them.
    • Let the bottles air dry, rather than using a dishcloth to dry them. This reduces the chances that they'll get contaminated after sterilization.
    • Avoid drying the bottles in a dish drying rack unless the rack has also been sterilized.
    • When the bottles are dry, they're ready to be used or stored.

Sterilizing Bottles with a Steamer

  1. Locate a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. It must be able to fit a steamer basket as well as bottles, lids and nipples placed inside the basket.
  2. Fill the pot with a few inches of water.
    • Place the steamer basket inside the pot. The bottom of the steamer basket should be just above the water.
  3. Place the bottles in the steamer basket. Add as many as will fit, then cover the pot with a lid.
    • If you have too many bottles to fit in the basket, you can sterilize them in batches.
    • You can also add lids and nipples to the steamer basket.
  4. Place the pot on a burner over high heat. Bring the water to a boil. Allow the bottles to steam for 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from heat. Use a pair of tongs to remove the bottles from the pot and place them to dry on a clean dishcloth. Store or use the bottles when they are cool and dry.
    • Make sure your hands are clean when you handle the bottles after sterilizing them.
    • Use a microwave or electric steamer as an alternative to a steamer basket. Put bottles and teats in a clean microwave or electric steamer. Activate the microwave or electric steamer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Sterilizing Bottles with Chemical Sterilizer

  1. Buy antibacterial sterilizing solution. This is available in tablet or liquid form at pharmacies and drug stores.
  2. Mix up the solution in a large container. Choose a glass or plastic container big enough to hold the bottles, lids and nipples you wish you sterilize. Measure out water and liquid or tablet sterilizing solution according to the instructions on the package.
  3. Place the bottles in the container. Make sure they are all completely submerged in the solution. Add the lids and nipples as well.
  4. Let the bottles soak in the solution. Check the solution's packaging for instructions on how long the bottles need to soak. Most manufacturers recommend soaking for at least one hour.
  5. Remove the bottles from the solution. Use tongs to pick up the bottles, shake off the excess solution and place the bottles on a clean dishcloth to dry.
    • Make sure your hands are clean when you handle the bottles after sterilizing them.
    • Do not rinse the bottles. The residue of chemical solution is considered safe to ingest for both adults and babies.
    • If you wish, you can leave the bottles and other equipment in the chemical solution until you're ready to use them.
    • Change the solution after 24 hours.
  6. Finished.



Tips

  • You can clean and sterilize baby utensils and teething rings with bottles and nipples.
  • To sterilize wine bottles, use a sulfiter. This plastic device holds a sulfite solution and may also be known as a vinator.

Warnings

  • Do not soak metal objects in a chemical cleaning solution. Boil them in water instead.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Liquid soap
  • Bottle brush
  • Saucepan and lid
  • Clean dishcloths
  • Steamer basket
  • Large container
  • Chemical sterilizer tablets or liquid

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Sources and Citations

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