When it comes to feeding your littles one thing most parents end up dreading is the seemingly never ending queue of dirty bottles. There’s the mess and then there’s also the opinions. Opinions on how best to clean, what soap to use, can you use the dishwasher, how often you should sanitize…one Google search inquiring ‘how to clean baby bottles’ and the next thing you know you’ve been scrolling for hours.

We here at Stork Exchange feel your pain, so allow us to simplify the process for you! As a family who leans heavily on eco-friendly options, check out our super simple recommendation to help guide you on how to clean used baby bottles, safely and naturally.

• Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil
• Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, gently stir the mixture
• Step 3: Place all bottles and parts in the mixture and soak overnight
• Step 4: The next morning, rinse all items in cool water thoroughly
• Step 5: Allow bottles, nipples and valves to completely dry before you feed your baby or put them away

For extra mess
If your bottles need a little extra love, scrub away! Prior to soaking and sanitizing overnight, create a simple scrubbing solution with a bit of natural dish soap dissolved into hot water. Using a bottle brush, give those bottles a little extra TLC before rinsing with a mixture of boiled water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

To eliminate sour milk smell
No matter how diligent your cleaning routine is, over time nearly all bottles will develop a leftover milk smell. To combat this, first wash the inside of the bottle, using hot water, natural soap and a bottle brush. Next fill the bottle about halfway with a mixture of hot water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Close the bottle and shake vigorously for several minutes. Rinse your bottle well with cool water and repeat the process as necessary.

Lastly, don’t forget that humidity attracts bacteria. Always make sure all bottles, nipples and additional parts are fully dry before feeding your baby or before you put those items away. A bottle drying rack comes in super handy for this!

Are you a baby bottle sanitizing pro!? Be sure to visit us over on the Stork Exchange Instagram to share your best tips for cleaning used baby bottles.