How often should you clean a baby steriliser?

FAQ's

Find some answers to the most frequently asked questions about your Closer to Nature® Electric Steam Steriliser.

Can I dry baby bottles after sterilisation?

Thankfully, you can cross this off your to-do list. Any water left inside the bottles after sterilisation is sterile and won’t collect germs so there’s no need to dry. In fact wiping the inside of a bottle after sterilisation could even add germs, so it’s best not to.

Do I need sterilising fluid for the electric steriliser?

Nope - just water. 2.7 fl oz/ 80ml to be precise. The water turns to steam and that’s what sterilisers anything you place inside.

Do I really need to sterilise my bottles?

Of course not, it’s entirely your choice. The main reason for using a microwave or electric steriliser is that they are guaranteed to reach the 100 deg C needed to kill off harmful bacteria that can build up in milk. You don’t get that guarantee with a dishwasher.

How do I descale my electric steriliser?

There are two simple options. You could use a descaling product that's specifically suitable for electric steam sterilisers or you could use cleaning or food grade white vinegar. If you choose a specialist product, it should come with instructions; if you choose vinegar, here's what to do:

1. Empty the steriliser and wipe inside with a sponge or damp cloth
2. Pour in 1 cup (250ml) of white vinegar and leave for between 30 mins and 24 hours, depending on the extent of limescale
3. Pour any remaining liquid down the sink and rinse with cool water. Use a sponge or cloth to remove any loose bits of limescale
4. Plug your steriliser back in, adding the regular volume of water for a normal cycle.
5. Turn on and run for 5-minutes then give a final rinse.

Or you could watch this quick video on how to descale your electric steam steriliser.

We know it’s hard to find time, but it’s good to descale your steriliser every 4 weeks if you can. You can of course do it sooner if you notice limescale building up, which you may do if you live in a hard water area. Bad luck if you do - it probably makes your kettle a bit yucky too. And we’re guessing you need that more than ever now that baby has arrived!

How do I reassemble my bottle after sterilisation?

Just reassemble as normal, but wash your hands thoroughly first, or use a pair of nipple tongs if you have some. The idea is to keep the bottle as clean and sterile as possible.

How much water should I use in my electric steriliser?

We recommend using 2.7 fl oz/ 80 ml in the electric steriliser.  To make it super easy to remember we have marked 80ml on the bottle with a small dotted line so no matter how little sleep you get you will always remember!

How often should I descale my steriliser?

We know it’s hard to find time with a newborn in the house, but if possible we recommend you descale your steriliser every 4 weeks. If you live in a hard water area you may need to do it more often, just as you do with your kettle. Sorry about that:(

Here’s a picture of your heatplate fresh out the box, (A) and here’s a picture of a heatplate that hasn’t been descaled (B)

How should I position bottles in my steriliser?

The aim is to allow steam to get inside and all around every bottle. The best position for this is upside down, ideally at an angle. If you’d like to see this in action check out our video on how to use the Tommee Tippee electric steam steriliser.

Should I have a lot of steam during a cycle?

Not really. If you have way more steam than you’d expect, it could be you’ve just got a few too many items inside. There are marked areas on the trays to show where to put your bottles, and if you’re popping other items like teethers or soothers in, just be sure to space these out evenly.

Should there be water left in the bottom after a cycle?

Yes - that’s pretty common. Just empty it out once you’re finished and you’re ready to start again.

Watch our Electric Steam Steriliser Top Tips Video for some further guidance.

What’s the best way to remove the lid?

You don’t really want a face full of steam, so use the tabs on either side and tilt the lid so the underside is facing away from you. This also means any condensation will drip back into the unit rather than making a mess for you to clear up.

Watch our Electric Steam Steriliser Top Tips Video for some further guidance.

Which bottles fit in the electric and microwave sterilisers?

That’s simple, all of them! The steam steriliser will comfortably house 5 Closer to Nature bottles or 4 Ultra bottles.

Why do my bottles still have marks on after I sterilise?

The chances are, the marks are milk residue. Sterilising removes bacteria, but bottles still need to be washed beforehand to remove any bits of milk clinging on inside. Hot soapy water will do the trick - a thorough wash, then rinse and pop them in your steriliser.

Why should I descale my electric steriliser?

De-scaling removes the limescale that can build up around the heat plate, just as it can inside a kettle. Descaling regularly helps your steriliser enjoy a long and happy life, with no bits fading before their time.

You can watch our How to Descale video for further guidance on how to do this.

Here’s a picture of your heatplate fresh out the box, (A) and here’s a picture of a heatplate that hasn’t been descaled (B)

How often should I clean my steriliser?

What happens if I don't descale my steriliser?

How long do bottles stay sterile once removed from steriliser?