Baby Gear Safety Cleaning Tips

Babies drop things on the floor all the time! It's some kind of a routine for them. In  addition, they can make a mess when playing or eating. As a result baby gear gets so dirty sometimes that it needs proper regular washes in order to ensure baby's safety. Here we will talk about how you can clean pacifiers, chairs, feeding bottles, bowls and spoons so that you don't jeopardize your child's life.

 Pacifiers and bottles 

An interesting fact is that you no longer need to sterilize pacifiers and bottles! Specialists say that this is an outdated practice. In the past, there weren't safe water supplies in countries, which explains why bottles and pacifiers needed sterilization before use. Nowadays, parents can be assured that they can use tap water to clean baby gear. There is only one exception here: well water needs to be sterilized. So unless you use the latter, there is no need to worry. 

Even though you don't need to sterilize your child's gear, you still have to clean it. You can either wash baby items by hand using water and soap or put them on the top rack of the dishwasher. This should be done before each use. When you are done cleaning, make sure you let them dry completely every time. It is proven that when bottles have liquid at the bottom left for an indefinite length of time, this can lead to bacteria growing inside. 

Moreover, make sure you avoid BPA. BPA is short for bisphenol A. This is a plastic additive. In short, when it is exposed to heat, it may cause chemical emission that will expose risk to your baby. For this reason, it is not recommended to put bottles that contain BPA in the dishwasher or microwave oven. The good news is that most manufacturers don't use BPA anymore. 

Don't forget that your germy hands are another threat for pacifiers and bottles. Which is why you should wash your hands regularly.

 Additional tips 

• Sippy cups. When cleaning sippy cups, use a Q-tip to get to the most hard-to-reach places. Dip a Q-tip in a soapy water and rub the surface. Make sure you get all the dried-up juice and milk.
• Strollers/pushers. The easiest way to deal with strollers is to take them to a DIY car wash. Simply spray the whole stroller and dry it with a towel. After that let it rest for a while until it is completely dry. The spray jets used can literally do miracles without harming the fabric. If there are any accessories such as a thermometer or digital clock, you need to protect them from moisture. Simply cover them with plastic wrap. Use tape to secure the wrap.
• Tub toys. Fill a bucket with water, add one tablespoon of soap and put all the bath toys inside. Let the toys rest for a while. Next, wipe them with a cloth. Make sure you rinse well. Check for any remaining soap. After that let the toys air dry.
• Bowls and spoons. These items are easily washed with water and detergent. You can also put them in the dishwasher.
• Hard-to-reach places. In order to clean those hard-to-reach places of baby items, you can use a toothbrush. Mix together detergent, soap, water and fabric softener and scrub the area with the toothbrush.
• CAUTION! You should never use bleach to clean baby gear, clothes and toys! There is no need to explain why this is not safe for children. 

Paula Sheamus is a mother of two and one of the founders of a company which workers are specialists in domestic cleaning . She barely has time to do things other than cleaning, cooking and working but loves to share her experience whenever gets the chance. 

Image:  fred_v on Flickr