Cleaning sterilliser

[choc]

I feel pretty embarrased asking this as it is probably something I should have been doing but haven't.

It only just occured to me that I should probably clean the sterilliser, but how do I do it?

 

[missy1]

I suppose with some hot soapy water? It has just occurred to me that I have never cleaned my steriliser, I don't think it can be that dirty if it has recently washed bottles put in it and is constantly being sterilised??? Maybe I'm wrong, I'm sure someone who is more into cleaning than me will correct me lol! x

 

[choc]

Thanks, glad I'm not the only one!

 

[OmarsMum]

I clean it before every use. I use warm water & anti bacterial liquid. I wash the steriliser & the basket then rinse with warm water. I also use anti bacterial liquid for the bottles as I hate using hot water when washing them xx

 

[Kitten-B]

I don't think you need to clean it but it says in my manual to descale it every 4 weeks I think. Had a wee look in Tescos but couldn't see any descaling tablets\solution though so still not sure how that works x

 

[Ang1873]

i was told to wash it out regularly, but i have to admit - i don't remember very often.

when i do, i just use hot, soapy water.

descaling isn't a problem up here though with our soft water.

nmbwb78 - what's the reason you don't use hot water?

 

[OmarsMum]

i was told to wash it out regularly, but i have to admit - i don't remember very often.

when i do, i just use hot, soapy water.

descaling isn't a problem up here though with our soft water.

nmbwb78 - what's the reason you don't use hot water?

I always burn my hands

 

[summer rain]

Its not recommended to use anti-bacterial washing up liquid on the bottles as it can cause some types of bottles to crack in contact with steam. Normal hot or very warm soapy water is sufficient. If you live in a hard water area you will need to descale your steriliser fairly regularly. If its a microwave one; I have found the pink cillit bang liquid the best for this; just scrub it gently with the spray and a scourer and rinse well. If its a steam steriliser you will need to do it according to the instructions; you need citric acid; this is available from most ethnic food shops usually in an aisle with the spices.

 

[choc]

It is a steam one and we do live in a hard water area so citric acid it is! Does it say that in the sterilliser instructions?

 

[summer rain]

usually it does say citric acid; at least in the avent instructions. There should be instructions on how to do it with your particular model of steriliser, here are all the avent manuals; if your model of steriliser is similar it should be able to be descaled in a similar way

https://www.support.philips.com/sup...le=Sterilisers&cateId=BABY_FEEDING_CA_GB_CARE

To save you the hassle of going through all the manuals, Its basically saying to mix 10grams of citric acid (approx 2 teaspoons) with 200ml of water, pour into the empty steriliser (without lid) and switch on for 1-2 minutes; then switch off. Then switch off at mains and leave to stand for 30 minutes. Then run a full empty cycle (lid on) with 90ml of water (or however much water your model uses for a normal cycle), then rinse the whole unit out well and wipe it dry. Be careful with citric acid as it can be an irritant if inhaled or you get it in your eyes

 

[choc]

Thats brill thanks! It's a TT one but must be similar x

 

[summer rain]

Hi

no worries; make sure you do descale it fairly regularly because with my old avent one; I didn't and it got to a point where it just couldn't be descaled and the cycle timings started messing up. This time I've got an NUK one as the water goes in a huge tray section at the bottom; and this comes away from the main unit for easy cleaning.

 

[OmarsMum]

I use bottled water in the steriliser.

 

[summer rain]

Most bottled water here is quite hard as well; not as much as tap water but still it contains a fair bit of calcium deposits because of where it comes from within the UK...you could use filtered water but I'd still descale the steriliser once every few months just in case.