Our guide to the best baby cleaners (+ how to use them)
Did you know that a baby’s immune system is not mature enough to fight against bacterias until the time they are at least 12 months old? First thing we can do to help the baby stay healthy is prevent him from having contact with such bacterias and getting sick by having a high hygiene level.
Keeping your baby’s feeding equipment clean and sterile is essential to avoid bacterias from being developed on their bottles and teats and will reduce their chance of getting an infection, that is mainly diarrhea and vomiting.
Whether your baby is formula fed or you express breast milk, all equipment should be cleaned and sterilised before first use and after every use - formula milk storage container, breast pump, storage bottle, baby bottles and teats.
The process is very simple and we will explain to you how to do it effectively with the right products and utensils below.
Baby bottle cleaning liquids
Baby bottle cleaning liquids are detergents that were developed specifically for baby’s equipments. But what is the difference between a baby bottle cleaning liquid and a regular dish detergent?
A baby bottle cleaning liquid is free from harmful chemicals such as sulfates and phosphates, and are formulated for sensitive skin to avoid the baby from having allergic reactions.
Pigeon Liquid Cleanser is made from food grade ingredients with a low sud formula that kills 99.99% of bacteria. It is formulated with easy rinse properties to ensure no soapy residues are left behind and is also even safe to wash fresh fruits and vegetables.
You can also find the Pigeon Liquid Cleanser Citrus, with the new Yuzu Citrus scent.
Easy-peasy: pump the Pigeon Liquid Cleanser onto a sponge and scrub the baby’s feeding equipment normally. Rinse thoroughly in running water for about 5 seconds and let it dry.
Baby bottle brushes
It might be difficult to wash a baby bottle on the inside with a normal dish brush, so it’s helpful to use a proper baby bottle brush to reach the inside bottom of the baby bottle.
Pigeon offers two types of baby bottle brushes:
1. 2-in-1 Bottle and Nipple Brush
Features an easy grip handle and separate brushes for bottles and teats to effectively clean the bottom of the bottles and the smaller areas of the teats.
The bottle brush combines two effective ways of cleaning - 360° rotary use and straight use. The high density nylon bristles enable thorough scrubbing and cleaning of bottle walls and effectively removes tough stains from the bottom. The 2-in-1 bottle brush can also be used on both slim and wide neck baby bottles.
2. Baby Bottle Sponge Brush
Features a 360° rotary handle for easy grip and thorough cleaning, with a soft sponge that won’t scratch your baby’s bottles.
Its folded double layered sponge catches dirt and effectively cleans the walls of the bottle and removes tough stains from the bottom.Can be used on both slim and wide neck bottles.
Do you really need to sterilise your baby bottles?
Yes, sterilising will completely eliminate all microorganisms from your baby’s bottles and feeding accessories, guaranteeing that he won’t be infected by any germs or bacteria that could be harmful to him. It is essential to do this process until your baby is at least 12 months old when his immune system is most developed.
There are many ways that you can sterilise your baby’s feeding equipment effectively, below are some safe and easy options that we recommend:
Microwave (steam): At Pigeon you can find the Microwave Steriliser that is easy to use and allows to accommodate up to 5 Pigeon bottles.
1. Pour 100ml of water onto the container;
2. Place the bottles, teats and accessories on the tray (bottles always facing down)
3. Place the tray in the container and the lid, then bring it to the microwave for 7 minutes on a heating level between 700-1000W;
4. Once the cycle is finished, carefully remove it from the microwave and let it cool for 5 minutes. Done!
Tip: all bottles and accessories will remain sterilised for 24h, provided that the lid remains closed.
Boiling water:
1. Place the bottles, teats and accessories on a large pan and fill it with water until everything is covered - make sure all air bubbles are out of the bottles;
2. Bring it to the stove and let it boil for 5 minutes;
3. Turn the stove off and let it cool before you take the products out of the pan.
UV Sterilisers: These are electric sterilisers that use just an ultraviolet light bulb, with no steam, no heat and no chemicals. They’re normally very practical and don’t require any assistance. Always check the instructions manual to learn how to use it.
Keeping a high hygiene level in regards to your baby bottles and feeding equipment is so important for your baby’s health and so easy for you to do. It might be a little fussy at the beginning but it will quickly become a part of your routine. Just make sure to choose the right bottle liquid cleaner, the right bottle brush and the right steriliser, and you and your baby are all good! Pigeon is here to help you in every step of the way!