Between bottles, utensils, bowls, and plates, our baby can have quite the collection of dishes just for them.  A baby shouldn’t use adult dishes, which are often too big, too sharp, and too breakable, resulting in a host of risks. 

Choosing the right dishes for your baby is a critical part of parenthood.  The right dishes keep them safe, and also, are appropriate for their size.  But, what’s equally important is how we wash them after our baby is done feeding.  Believe it or not, failing to wash your baby’s dishes properly can be just as risky as using the wrong dishes.

So, why is washing your baby’s dishes properly so important? 

Mainly, it’s because of pathogens.  You see, a baby’s immune system is not developed like an adults, and they’re far more susceptible to getting sick as a result.  Baby dishes like utensils and bottles make contact with your baby’s mouth, while plates hold the food that they’re going to eat.  If these dishes aren’t cleaned in the right way, they can attract germs that can be harmful.

How Often Should You Clean Baby Dishes?

There’s only one answer, and it’s after each use.  In fact, it’s preferable to clean dishes thoroughly as soon as your baby is done using them.  The longer they sit, the more of a chance they get to develop germs that you don’t want in your baby’s system.  Many people say that you should wash dishes within 20 minutes of your baby using them, and if necessary, grab a new dish if your baby is taking more than 20 minutes to eat or drink.

Cleaning Baby Utensils

Baby utensils are typically made of plastic or some other shatterproof material, and even have curved instead of sharp edges.  They’re typically small, and their widths/mouths are shaped to fit a baby’s mouth, rather than an adult’s.  This is to specifically avoid spills.

So, how do you clean a baby’s utensils once they’re finished eating?  We ultimately recommend hand-washing, for one simple reason – a lot of dishwasher detergents out there contain harsh ingredients that aren’t ultimately safe for your baby.  They also often contain fragrances and other potential allergens that can cause a reaction.

So, instead, use a baby-friendly dish soap – that is, a dish soap formula made just for babies, which is free of ingredients most commonly linked to unwanted reactions.  Wash the utensils thoroughly, and then put them in boiling water for 10 minutes after rinsing them off.  Boil water, and then turn off the heat before putting the utensils in, to avoid melting or warping them.  And, never boil soapy water, as that can be caustic.

Do You Need to Wash Baby Dishes Separately?

We do recommend washing your baby’s dishes separately, for a few reasons.  One is that by washing them separately, you’ll be more likely to be thorough.  The second reason is that often, a baby’s feeding time is different from yours, and we said that baby dishes should be washed within 20 minutes of being used.  Also, to reiterate, baby dishes should be washed using a different kind of soap, that’s formulated just for a baby’s needs.

Can I Clean Baby Bottles with Dish Soap?

Yes, you can definitely wash baby bottles with dish soap – but again, a dish soap made for washing baby dishes.  First, you’ll want to separate the different parts, like the bottle, nipple, cap, ring, valve, and so on.  Then, rinse each piece thoroughly using cold or warm water. 

Place all of the parts in a basin and fill with hot water and baby dish soap.  Scrub each piece thoroughly with a brush that is used only for your baby’s dishes – that’s important, as scrub brushes can otherwise accumulate germs and food debris.  Make sure to squeeze water through the nipple hole to really clean it thoroughly.  Then rinse again, and allow to air-dry.  Don’t put the baby bottles back together until they’re thoroughly dry.

Do I Really Need a Sterilizer for Baby Dishes?

You may come across sterilizers that are sold for baby bottles, utensils, and other dishes.  But, do you actually need them?  The answer, in short, is no.  A sterilizer is not necessary if you wash your baby dishes using the methods we’ve already discussed.  You can sanitize dishes just as effectively using these methods, so a sterilizer would be an unnecessary item taking up more space in your kitchen.

Should I Wash Baby Dishes After Buying Them?

One thing we want to quickly address is that we urge you to wash any and all baby dishes after purchasing them, before using them to feed your baby.  You can follow the same methods we’ve already gone over, as they’re perfectly effective.  The reason why is that you don’t know what germs may have come into contact with these dishes while they were handled or stored, and besides that, they may contain dust and other unwanted impurities from sitting in warehouses. 

Solutions for Your Baby Dishes at Grab Green Home

Keeping your baby’s dishes clean and sanitized is of utmost importance when it comes to their health.  You may be surprised by how many pathogens can be lurking on dishes that have been sitting out for a while, or even haven’t been cleaned properly and thoroughly.  And, no parent wants their baby to get sick while their immune system is still in the process of developing resilience to the outside world.

Grab Green Home makes it easy with Baby Bottle & Dish Soap.  It’s specially formulated with gentle, nontoxic, allergen-free, and eco-friendly ingredients to ensure your baby’s wellbeing, refraining from all ingredients known to cause potential harm, or be too harsh for a baby’s system.  This way, you can know for certain, that you’re cleaning and sanitizing your baby’s dishes with the proper formula for their needs.