If you’re a new mom, you’ve heard the name “Dr. Brown” and wonder why Dr. Brown’s bottles are so popular among parents? This is because their design allows parents to feed their children comfortably. They are also great for newborns and people with colic. Unfortunately, being a new mom also means you need to learn how to clean all those new supplies for your kids. So, what is the deal? Can you wash these bottles in the dishwasher?
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Are All Dr. Brown’s Bottles Dishwasher-Safe?
Yes, they are. The entire brand is dedicated to providing mothers with worry-free, mess-free feeding tools. If you’re not sure about certain accessories, it’s best to call their customer service line to double-check. That being said, anecdotal evidence suggests that dishwashers are perfectly fine with these bottles.
How Safe Is it to Wash Baby Bottles in the Dishwasher?
Many experts consider it safe to wash baby bottles in the dishwasher. Aside from worrying about whether you’ll be cleaning all the different parts of the bottle effectively, there’s also the safety of the cleaning process. You can rest easy knowing that Dr. Brown’s bottles are safe to wash in the dishwasher.
To ensure effective and safe cleaning of these bottles, the hot dry cycle mode should be set on the dishwasher first. This helps prevent the growth and eventual accumulation of bacteria and mold.
It is also important to sterilize the bottle with hot water. You should also make sure the baby bottles you throw in the dishwasher have the manufacturer’s dishwasher-safe label.
How to Put Baby Bottles in the Dishwasher
Dishwashers make it easy for parents to clean baby bottles. Unlike putting other dishes in the dishwasher as a whole, you have to follow a specific program to clean the bottle effectively. You will need to disassemble all baby bottle parts and wash them separately.
You should clean the parts with hot water or a small dose of detergent to help them sanitize. The bottle brush is handy when wiping the bottle.
You can then place these parts on the top rack of the dishwasher to complete the cleaning and sanitizing process. You can sterilize baby bottles with boiling water or a bottle warmer.
How To Clean Dr. Brown Bottles In Dishwasher
Other baby bottles are easy to clean, whether you wash them by hand or in the dishwasher. Since there are a lot of parts on Dr. Brown’s bottles, you may take longer to clean them. Over time, however, cleaning them will become easier once you learn how to safely clean them in the dishwasher.
There are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when you wash Dr. Brown’s bottles in the dishwasher.
These bottles are safe to wash using the top rack of the dishwasher but are not suitable for heating in the microwave. You can use these five easy steps to clean these bottles just like any other baby bottle.
- Step 1: Disassemble the Bottle Parts
Dr. Brown’s bottle has many parts that can become a hindrance when cleaning. As mentioned above, disassembling all the individual parts of the bottle makes cleaning efficient and easy.
Among other insert parts, Dr. Brown’s bottle components include nipples, nipple rings, vent inserts and reservoirs, caps, travel discs, and bottles.
- Step 2: Place the Bottle Parts in the Dishwasher Basket
Bottles have many small parts that can fall to the bottom of the dishwasher and be damaged by the heat. Dr. Brown sells dishwasher baskets that you can use to clean all parts of your dishwasher aren’t equipped.
You can place all bottle components such as nipples, nipple covers, and vents in the basket to ensure they stay in place while cleaning.
- Step 3: Place Baskets and Bottles on the Top Rack of the Dishwasher
With all the small parts and other bottles inserted into the dishwasher basket, you can now put it in the dishwasher.
Make sure to place the basket on the top rack of the dishwasher to prevent small parts from falling to the bottom of the machine. Putting the basket on the bottom runs the risk of damaging parts during the cycle.
- Step 4: Run the Dishwasher
Once everything is securely in place, you can add mild detergent and run the dishwasher as usual. You can run the dishwasher on whichever cycle you are used to. However, the sanitizer cycle is very effective when cleaning baby bottles.
Once the wash cycle is complete, you can steam clean the baby bottle by running a dry cycle.
- Step 5: Make sure the bottle parts are dry before reassembly
You can wipe the bottle and all its parts with a dry towel to remove any remaining moisture and condensation on the bottle. All parts can then be air-dried for a few hours before putting them back together.
Can You Just Hand-Wash The Bottles?
It’s actually perfectly fine to hand wash baby bottles, as long as you still have some sterilization schedule in place. To make sure your bottles are clean, be sure to scrub them clean with soapy water that is hot to the touch. Cook the bottle once a week to ensure that any remaining buildup will dodo-like.
Tips For Washing Brown’s Bottles In Dishwasher
Babies are not as strong as adults or children, especially when it comes to immune systems. This is why parents need to sterilize baby bottles. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to make sure your bottle is baby-safe. The following tips are most helpful:
- If you’re using a dishwasher, be sure to use a natural dishwasher detergent. Extremely caustic substances may be too harsh on the bottle and may actually trigger allergic reactions in babies.
- Good to know that Dr. Brown’s bottles can also be microwaved. The company actually sells a microwave steam sterilization kit for parents who need to sterilize their bottles in an instant. Two of the most popular microwave sterilization products they offer include microwave sterilization bags and microwave retort sterilization kits.
- It’s worth buying a bottle holder if you want to be extra careful with your bottles. Dr. Brown sells them as part of a bottle care accessory, and they’re great for those who need a place to air dry their bottles.
- You might also want to invest in a drying rack. While it’s not strictly necessary, most new moms find it a great way to keep their bottles organized
What Should You Do If A Dr. Brown’s Bottle Gets Damaged?
While the company makes every effort to make durable bottles and materials, mistakes can also occur. It’s not uncommon to hear of a bottle being melted by a heating element or the cap being tossed around until it breaks. For this problem, you can use the following protocols:
- First, remove the offending section and any other debris that came loose in the dishwasher. This is for the safety of your dishwasher and any other components. If you find shards or cracks, manually pick up any shrapnel you find.
- Then check which part is broken. The bottle needs to be thrown away, but if it’s something along the nipple or vent, you can do something else.
- Call Dr. Brown’s customer service line and explain the situation. If it is a “missing part” or a damaged part, you can replace it free of charge. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy a new bottle or two.
Verdict
Although all the ingredients were found on Dr. Brown’s bottles, they are dishwasher safe. The above steps can help you clean the bottle effectively. If your dishwasher doesn’t have a basket, you can buy one of the baskets sold by Dr. Brown. Although all the ingredients were found on Dr. Brown’s bottles, they are dishwasher safe. The above steps can help you clean the bottle effectively. If your dishwasher doesn’t have a basket, you can buy one of the baskets sold by Dr. Brown.
