Bottle Sterilizer vs Dishwasher: Which Do You Need to Clean Baby Bottles?
Bottle sterilizer vs dishwasher: what the CDC says about cleaning and sanitizing baby bottles, when sanitizing is needed, and how to boil, steam or use a dishwasher.
Quick answer: You can clean baby bottles in a dishwasher or by hand, and you do not always need a separate sterilizer. The CDC says to clean bottles after every feeding, and to sanitize daily, or more often, for babies under 2 months, born prematurely or with a weakened immune system. If your dishwasher uses hot water and a heated drying or sanitizing setting, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary.
Sterilizers, steam bags and dishwashers all promise clean bottles, and it is hard to know which you need. This guide sets out what the CDC says about cleaning, when sanitizing matters, and the sanitizing options, so you can choose without buying more than you need. It is general information, not medical advice.
Cleaning Comes First
The CDC's guide to infant feeding items says to clean bottles after every feeding. In a dishwasher, take parts apart, rinse them and put small items in a closed-top basket or mesh bag, using hot water and a heated drying or sanitizing setting if possible. By hand, wash your hands for 20 seconds, use a basin reserved for feeding items instead of the sink, scrub with a dedicated brush, and squeeze water through the nipple holes. Cleaning removes milk residue, and sanitizing is an extra step on top.
Do You Need to Sanitize?
The CDC says to sanitize daily, or more often, if your baby is under 2 months old, was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system. For older, healthy babies, daily sanitizing may not be needed if items are cleaned carefully after each use. It adds that if your dishwasher uses hot water and a heated drying cycle or sanitizing setting, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary.
Bottle Sterilizer vs Dishwasher vs Boiling
| Method | What the CDC says | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Use hot water and a heated drying or sanitizing setting; small parts in a closed basket or mesh bag | Everyday cleaning, and sanitizing if the setting is hot enough |
| Boiling | Cover items with water, bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes | No equipment, small batches |
| Steam | Use a microwave or plug-in steam system, following the manufacturer's instructions | Fast sanitizing at home or travelling |
| Bleach solution | 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon of water, soak at least 2 minutes, do not rinse afterward | Occasional use when other methods are not available |
Drying and Storing
- Let items air-dry thoroughly on a clean towel, and do not rub or pat them dry with a dish towel.
- Wash your hands before reassembling dry parts.
- Store clean items in a clean, protected place, such as a closed cabinet used only for clean dishes.
- Throw away unfinished formula if your baby does not finish a bottle within 2 hours.
Which Should You Buy?
- If you have a dishwasher with a hot-water cycle and a heated drying or sanitizing setting, you may not need a sterilizer.
- If you do not, boiling for 5 minutes costs nothing, and a steam sterilizer is a convenient option that the CDC lists as an accepted method.
- If your baby is a newborn, born early or has a weakened immune system, sanitize daily and ask your pediatrician for advice.
For more on feeding safety, see our guides to checking if baby food is recalled and baby food and product safety. LabelBaby scans baby food and product labels, and it is a mobile app that is coming soon. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
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