How to Sterilize Bottles

It may be necessary to sterilize baby bottles when using well water or traveling outside the United States. You should also sterilize baby bottles before you use them for the first time. Use the following steps to sterilize your bottles and to keep your baby safe.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Wash your hands in warm, soapy water. Get a saucepan and lid large enough to hold the bottles and any other utensils you may be sterilizing.
2. Clean the bottles and any other items you may be sterilizing along with them in warm, soapy water. Use a bottle brush and make sure you brush any grooves and along the neck of the bottle.
3. Place the bottles and any other items inside the pan and fill it with enough water to submerge them. Bring the water to a boil.
4. Boil for 5 minutes. When finished, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool.
5. Remove the items from the water with clean hands. Allow them to dry on a clean towel.

Tips & Warnings

• When sterilizing bottles that are used to store commercially purchased filtered water, use a few drops of bleach per gallon of hot water to clean the inside of the bottles. Rinse them with tap water and allow them to dry.
• It isn't necessary to sterilize baby bottles when using publicly treated tap water in the United States. It has been considered safe for baby bottle washing since the 1950s.
• You can also sterilize bottles using a steam sterilizer or chemical sterilizer.
• Don't allow bottles to boil dry. Turn off heat after 5 minutes.