Choosing A Baby-Safe Dishwashing Soap
With so many products on the market aimed at parents and caregivers, it can sometimes feel like a full-time job just navigating the grocery store shelves, especially when it comes to products that come in close contact with your children. You can get overwhelmed and ask yourself how to clean baby bottles and if you can wash them with regular dish soap.
You will want to avoid many of the ingredients found standard in dish soaps, including surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances.
Here are a few ingredients to avoid:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A detergent/surfactant used to break down surfaces so cleansers can work more effectively. Linked to Nitrosamines, a strong carcinogen that allows your body to absorb nitrates, another known carcinogen.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Can become contaminated with Dioxane, a possible carcinogen, which the liver has a difficult time metabolizing and so it remains in the body for an extended period.
Artificial Fragrance: A major cause of allergic reactions, fragrances can contain thousands of chemicals, including phthalates. Phthalates are man-made chemicals that can hurt hormone levels. Because fragrances are protected as a "trade secret", their ingredients are not required to be listed on the label.
Many of these potentially harmful ingredients are found in conventional dish soaps and other cleaning liquids. Knowing this, it may not be safe to wash baby bottles with dish soap.
While many products are targeted at caring for babies, this doesn't at all guarantee a mild, baby-safe solution can be found inside that pastel package. Rather than opting for products marketed as "baby-safe," a better bet is to use The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, as a tool to select a dishwashing soap that has been awarded an A-rating.
what soap can I use to wash baby bottles?
When washing baby bottles, it's crucial to use a mild soap that won't leave any residue and is safe for your baby's delicate skin. Here are some popular options:
Baby-specific dish soap: These soaps are formulated specifically for cleaning baby items, ensuring they are gentle and free from harsh chemicals.
Mild dish soap: Look for a dish soap that is free from dyes, perfumes, and phosphates.
White vinegar: White vinegar can be used as a natural cleaner for baby bottles. It is effective at removing residue and germs without leaving a soapy taste.
How To Clean A Baby Bottle Correctly In 5 Steps
To avoid these risks, here are five simple steps to get your baby's bottle squeaky clean and ready for use. Remember to clean the bottle immediately after every feeding to prevent any bacterial contamination.
Properly wash your own hands. You might be surprised that many people forget this crucial first step. 97% of people aren't washing their hands correctly, according to a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This opens up the potential for cross-contamination. If you're out and about, a squeeze of sanitizer or finding the nearest restroom to wash your own hands thoroughly with soapy water can save you from transmitting germs onto the bottle or nipple.
Take the bottle apart to clean. No matter the type of bottle you're using, the CDC recommends separating all the components to ensure you clean each part properly.
Rinse the bottle under running water. The CDC notes that you can rinse your bottle parts under cold or warm water, whichever you prefer. The key step here is to keep them under running water and not let them sit in the sink.
Scrub the bottle in hot, soapy water. After rinsing the bottle parts under running water, the CDC recommends filling a separate basin with hot water and soap. This should be a dedicated container you use to clean the baby bottle. Scrub each part individually with a dedicated brush only used on the bottles. Then, rinse the parts under running water again.
Dry on a rack or clean space. Place all the bottle parts on a clean paper towel or dish towel, and store them in a dust-free, clean space. Allow them to air-dry rather than patting them dry, as the CDC explains that patting can transfer germs from the towel to the newly cleaned bottle.
