Can Baby Bottles Go in Dishwasher? Full Guide & Must-Haves

Having a new baby comes with many responsibilities, one of which includes cleaning bottles. This can often feel like a never-ending task.

Parents’ lives can be made easier when they learn how to quickly and efficiently clean bottles in a safe manner.  

Can you put baby bottles in dishwasher? You can wash baby bottles in the dishwasher. Plastic and silicone bottles and nipples are almost always top-rack dishwasher safe. Dishwashers have high-temperature water and steam settings that efficiently kill bacteria in bottles. It’s usually less time consuming and laborious than other methods.

Read on to learn the best way to handle this baby chore effectively. 

Washing Baby Bottles in Dishwasher – What To Know

Most major brands of bottles are safe for use in the dishwasher. Your first step should be to double check that the bottles you are registering for or purchasing are explicitly marked as dishwasher safe.

Bottles also come with instructions on how to best clean the product. The method matters for safety, so it’s best to research your bottles a bit before using them. 

Are Baby Bottles Dishwasher Safe?

Yes! Baby bottles from most major bottle manufacturers are perfectly safe to put in the dishwasher. This is true for plastic and glass bottles.

However, you want to put all the parts on the top rack to avoid any melting from being too close to the heating elements.

The FDA has banned the use of BPA in the making of baby bottles so parents don’t need to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into the milk or formula as they feed their babies. 

Are Baby Bottle Nipples Dishwasher Safe?

Nipples are dishwasher-safe. The best way to clean the nipple of a bottle is by using a bottle basket.

Bottle baskets have compartments for all the components and keep them upright while washing. This allows the nipples to be cleaned more thoroughly and become safer for use. 

Difference Between Sanitize and Sterilize

Sanitizing is a small step up from basic cleaning. This step removes food or milk residue from plates or bottles before going into the dishwasher.

Some believe that dishwashers only sanitize bottles and do not sterilize them because of the level of steam involved in cleaning.

Sterilizing is a more in-depth process that removes 99.9% of bacteria from something, typically using steam.

The CDC recommends that parents use steam to sterilize their babies’ bottles during the first 3 months until babies are able to build up a bit more immunity. 

Does the Dishwasher Sterilize Bottles? 

Depending on your settlings on your model, the dishwasher could sterilize bottles. However, the best way to guarantee that you’ve sterilized your bottles would be to use a microwave bottle sterilizer or a sterilizing machine for bottle sterilization. 

Do You Still Have To Sterilize Bottles After Using the Dishwasher? 

According to CDC guidelines, if you use a heated drying cycle or a sanitizing cycle, you don’t need to do a separate step to sterilize bottles after the dishwasher.

If your washer doesn’t perform these settings, it would be best to sterilize bottles using one of the pieces of equipment mentioned above, especially for the first three months. 

Washing Baby Bottles in the Dishwasher With Other Dishes 

Baby bottles are safe to wash with other dishwasher-safe items. It’s important to separate tiny parts from bottles in a bottle basket. Also, try to use a high-heat drying cycle to get bottles sterilized. 

How To Clean Baby Bottles After Each Use

Rinse baby bottles with hot, soapy water, and use a bottle brush to make sure the inside is clean. It’s best to try to rinse bottles within two hours of use to prevent the spread of bacteria.

After rinsing them with a little hot, soapy water, either load them into the top rack of the dishwasher and run them in a high-heat setting or use a sterilization machine. 

How To Wash Baby Bottles in the Dishwasher

Rinse out bottles with some hot, soapy water, and use a bottle brush to clean out any residue. Then load the small parts of the bottle, such as the nipple and vent, into a bottle basket on the top rack.

Actual bottles can be placed directly into the top rack, facing down to allow water to clean them. Dry the bottles on a bottle tree or drying rack, and avoid putting bottles away when they are wet. 

Baby Bottle Dishwasher Baskets

Modern inventions can make bottle washing so much easier. Several companies make bottle baskets that hold bottle components while in the dishwasher.

These bottle baskets can prevent small pieces from disappearing and possibly harming your dishwasher while also ensuring that bottles are cleaned properly. 

Munchkin Deluxe Dishwasher Basket 

This Munchkin bottle basket comes in a variety of colors and promises to fit any dishwasher. The basket is BPA free and cleans up to 14 standard-size nipples and four straws for hassle-free cleaning.

Munchkin is a very trusted brand for new and experienced parents alike. 

Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottle Dishwasher Basket 

This bottle basket by Dr. Brown’s is made to specifically wash Dr. Brown’s bottles. It can hold the components for up to three bottles, and it has a bit of a lower profile in your dishwasher than other baby bottle baskets. It is also BPA free and top-rack dishwasher safe. 

Best Dishwasher Detergent for Baby Bottles 

Several factors go into choosing the best detergent to use when cleaning baby bottles in the dishwasher.

Things to consider are natural products, products free from harsh chemicals, and fragrance-free detergents to prevent any allergic reactions. Parents also want to be sure that their detergent is effective in cleaning the bacteria out of bottles. 

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs 

A great option for detergent to clean your bottles in a safe and eco-friendly way is the dishwasher pod from Seventh Generation. These packs are free from dyes and harmful chemicals as well as fragrances.

Puracy Free & Clear Dishwasher Pods

Puracy dishwasher pods are also a favorite among experts who evaluate clean products for families.

These pods are made from plant- and mineral-derived products that provide a great deep clean for your dishes while still being free from harmful chemicals and dyes.

Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods

Dropps markets themselves as a powerful clean for your dishes while being safer for the environment and your family. Like Puracy pods, these are made from plant-derived materials.

Dropps also eliminates the pre-washing phase of dishes but still promises to remove food that’s been caked on dishes for up to 24 hours. A package contains 32 pods in recyclable and compostable packaging. 

Related Questions: 

How Often Should I Sterilize Pacifiers? 

The CDC recommends daily sterilization for pacifiers in the first 3 months and then frequent cleanings after 6 months.

Pacifiers often spend more time in babies’ mouths than bottles do, so a good sterilization either in the dishwasher on a high-heat setting or in a sterilizing device is best daily. 

Are Glass or Plastic Bottles Better? 

The type of bottes you use is entirely subjective and up to you. Choosing either glass or plastic bottles comes down to what priorities are most important to you.

Plastic bottles are more lightweight, generally BPA free (after 2014), safe to use in the dishwasher, affordable and easy to find, and nearly impossible to break.

Glass bottles are considered to be better for the environment and dishwasher safe because glass can handle high temperatures and is durable enough to be used for multiple kids.

However, glass bottles are sometimes harder to find and more expensive than plastic. 

Conclusion

Time is a precious commodity in your life when you have a baby. The dishwasher is a safe and convenient way to decrease the time spent on necessary tasks that come with infant life.

Dishwashers, when used on a high-heat setting, can reduce your labor and leave time in your life to do the more important and satisfying jobs of parenthood.

Hallelujah for modern inventions that make our life’s most crucial roles easier!