Dr. Brown’s baby bottles are best known for their anti-colic venting systems. It’s also a brand that’s been around for over 20 years, making them a popular choice for bottle feeding. But, how easy are they to clean, and are Dr. Brown bottles dishwasher-safe? If you’re wondering, read on and find out!
All Dr. Brown’s baby bottles and nipples are dishwasher-safe. The bottles are made with high-quality plastic or glass and nipples with 100% silicone which can withstand high temperatures. Dr. Brown’s baby bottles and parts can also be sterilized using the dishwasher or microwave.
Types of Dr. Brown bottles and are all of them dishwasher safe?
The range of Dr. Brown’s baby bottles is available in polypropylene-plastic and premium glass materials, with both wide-neck and narrow-neck designs. The silicone nipples are available at different flow rates.
Here are some examples of Dr. Brown’s baby bottle range:
- Dr. Brown’s Options + Anti-Colic Bottle: Can be used with or without the venting system. The bottle is both dishwasher- and sterilizer-safe.
- Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Bottle: Specially designed to reduce feeding problems, this bottle is both dishwasher- and sterilizer-safe.
- Dr. Brown’s Options + Anti-Colic Wide-Neck Glass Bottle: Made with pharmaceutical-grade borosilicate glass, this bottle is both dishwasher-and sterilizer-safe.
What makes some bottles dishwasher-safe?
Dr. Brown’s baby bottles are made with premium materials that can withstand high temperatures. This means they can handle the hot wash cycle used to clean baby bottles in the dishwasher. These materials also last longer under extreme conditions, making them a good choice for safe use in the dishwasher.
Are Dr. Brown’s nipples dishwasher safe?
Dr. Brown’s Nipples are made with 100% silicone and they’re dishwasher-safe as long as you place them on the top rack. The manufacturers recommend placing the smaller parts such as the nipples and venting system inside a dishwasher basket. This way, you can rest assured you won’t lose the teats during a wash cycle!
Sterilizing Dr. Brown baby bottles
There are a number of methods you can use to sterilize Dr. Brown’s bottles. Before using them for the first time, place them in boiling water for five minutes. Thereafter, use any of the following methods to keep your Dr. Brown’s baby bottles and parts clean and sterilized.
Using a dishwasher
Using a dishwasher is really the most convenient way of cleaning and sterilizing Dr. Brown’s bottles and parts. Baby experts recommend using the hot wash cycle with a minimum temperature setting of 65°C for the most hygienic cleaning. The heated air cycle also helps to remove germs while air-drying the bottles and parts at the same time.
If your dishwasher has a sanitizing setting or baby care wash cycle, select it for optimal sterilization. Avoid using abrasive detergents if you want to maintain the lifespan of your bottles and parts.
Some manufacturers’ units, such as the portable countertop dishwasher from Farberware, even have a baby care cycle. You can buy it also at Walmart here.
Using hot water
Baby bottles can be cleaned hygienically by hand using hot water and mild detergent. You can use gentle detergents such as Dawn dish soap to wash baby bottles. The bottle must be completely disassembled before being washed. This way, the bottle, and parts can be thoroughly cleaned.
A baby bottle brush is a useful accessory for cleaning bottles efficiently and getting into the grooves. Find one that has a specially designed nipple cleaner for cleaning teats safely and thoroughly.
Using a (steam) sterilizer
Dr. Brown’s bottles and parts including the anti-colic venting system can be sanitized using a steam sterilizer. You can use Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Electric Baby Bottle Sterilizer which holds up to six bottles, all the parts, and pacifiers in one go!
The bottles and parts can also be sterilized in the microwave. You’ll find using Dr. Brown’s Microwave Steam Sterilizing Bags makes sanitizing baby bottles and parts a breeze!
Watch this video which demonstrates how to use the electric steam sterilizer for sanitizing baby bottles and parts.
How to wash Dr. Brown bottles using a dishwasher
Use the following steps when washing Dr. Brown’s bottles and parts, using a dishwasher.
1. Take apart the bottle and parts
If you place an assembled bottle into the dishwasher, it won’t clean properly. To ensure milk residue is completely removed during a wash, you need to disassemble the bottle and parts, including the components of the venting system.
2. Rinse bottle and parts
The bottle and parts must be rinsed under running tap water before being placed in the dishwasher. This helps to remove excess buildup of milk in the grooves and thread of the bottle as well as from the nipples. Cold or warm water is sufficient.
3. Use a bottle brush
Stubborn milk residue can be removed by using a bottle brush. Make sure you use one that allows you to clean the nipples safely too. Dr. Brown’s manufacturers recommend using the Dr. Brown 3-Piece Bottle Brush to get into the hard-to-reach grooves. The base of the brush, with its chevron channels, can be used to clean the nipples.
4. Place bottle and parts in a dishwasher basket
A dishwasher basket helps to keep smaller items all in one place during a wash cycle. Use a dishwasher basket that’s specially designed to hold baby bottles and parts or use a mesh laundry bag. The Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottle Dishwasher Basket is specially designed to hold 3 sets of standard baby bottle parts.
5. Place in the dishwasher
All baby bottles and parts must be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. This will prevent them from becoming discolored from other dirty items. This is one of the most common reasons why baby bottles and nipples turn yellow or orange!
6. Select wash settings
Select a hot wash cycle with a minimum temperature of 65°C. If there’s a sanitizing or baby care wash setting, select these to sterilize the bottles and parts.
7. Remove from the dishwasher
When the wash cycle is finished, remove the bottle and parts from the dishwasher. Use clean tongs or hands to place the bottle and parts onto paper towels for air-drying if they’re still wet. Store away for the next feed.
Conclusion
It makes sense to use a dishwasher when cleaning and sterilizing Dr. Brown’s baby bottles and nipples. All the bottles and parts, including the venting system, are dishwasher-safe, just like the bottles from Boon, which I wrote about in a separate article. You can also safely sanitize them in a bottle steam sterilizer.
And, if you’re wondering if Dr. Brown’s Blue or Green baby bottles are dishwasher-safe, relax! While these bottles’ venting systems may differ slightly from each other, all components are made with high-quality materials that can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher or sterilizer.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
