We review the different sterilisation methods to help you choose the one that fits your needs
Safety, time and cost are the three most important questions for parents when it comes to sterilising their baby bottles and breast pump parts. With an overwhelming number of methods at bamboozling price points, it can often be unclear as to what exactly the risks and benefits are for each.
Note: This article covers sterilisation of breast pump parts as well as baby bottles. But we only reference baby bottles to make the article more readable.
Step 1 - Decide what you want to optimise for:
Safety
The NHS recommends sterilising baby bottles for every use until a baby is 12 months old.
When it comes to sterilising baby bottles, most methods offer a claimed sterility level of 99.9%, meaning there is little to separate sterilisation methods on face value. The key is finding a method that best fits your routine and lifestyle.
However, there are two watchpoints:
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The NHS advises against one method—UV sterilisation—due to concerns about its effectiveness.
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Most sterilisation methods require bottles to be moved to a drying space, with hand touches breaking sterility and many drying areas acting as breeding grounds for bacteria.
Time
While most sterilisation methods take around 5–10 minutes, the real factor to consider is how sterilisation fits into your daily bottle cleaning routine.
Sterilisation is the middle step in getting bottles ready to feed, meaning you need to see how it fits in with the full process of washing, sterilising & drying.
Automated methods like Baby Bottle Washers require minimal effort, while manual approaches require significant amounts of your time. Choosing the right method isn’t just about sterilisation time—it’s about finding a sterilisation option that fits seamlessly into the wider washing-sterilisation-drying workflow.
Cost
Time is money, and nowhere is that truer than in parenthood. A £5 solution might seem like a bargain, but it often comes at the cost of your time and effort to get the job done. More expensive options are just that because they will do the work for you, saving time investment. The higher price reflects the convenience—because in those precious early months, every saved minute counts.
Sterilisation methods evaluated:
1- Boiling
The bottles get added to a pot of boiling water. There is no cost from buying parts in this method, but significant energy costs come with boiling water. It is also one of the least environmentally friendly methods on this list and carries obvious potential scalding danger.
2- Cold Water Sterilisation (£26.57, £145.65 over 1 year*)
This method involves filling a specially designed container (such as the Milton Steriliser Bucket) with cold water and adding chemical tablets or fluid. The bottles are then left in the chemical solution for 10 minutes to sterilise them before removing to dry.
3- Microwave Steriliser Bag (£11.98, £59.90 over 1 year**)
With this method, you simply add bottle parts and water to a special bag, then microwave it to create steam that sterilises the bottles. It’s quick and convenient, but there is a downside—the high temperatures can sometimes damage bottle parts over time.
Another drawback is the environmental impact, as these plastic bags are single-use or have limited reusability, leading to significant plastic waste over time. While effective, this method may not be the best long-term solution for eco-conscious parents.
4- Microwave Steam Steriliser (£40)
This method is similar to the previous one, but involves placing the bottle parts in a simple plastic tub rather than a bag. Water is then added to the tub, which is placed in the microwave to convert the water to steam.
5- Plug-in Electric Steam Steriliser (£70-£100)
Electric steam sterilisers use a small amount of water to generate steam, to kill bacteria on part surfaces. This method is quick, easy, and unlike microwave bags, it doesn’t generate plastic waste, making it a more eco-friendly choice.
6- Baby Bottle Washer (£349)
The 4-in-1 baby bottle washer, steriliser and dryer from Bebello, is the ultimate time-saving solution. It combines washing, sterilising, drying and protection in one effortless process.
Parts are dried immediately after sterilisation meaning there are no hand touches to break sterility and no drying racks that breed bacteria, making it a safer option.
This eco-friendly method also reduces water and energy waste. It is by far the safest and most effortless way to get bottles ready for feeding.
7- UV Steriliser (£150-£200)
The NHS recommends avoiding this method.
Where does the time go?
Sterilisation is just one part of getting baby bottles ready to feed.
Sterilisers often market time-saving benefits, but fail to highlight the time investment of the full washing, sterilisation and drying process. So where does the time go?
Generally, getting bottles ready to feed is a 6-step process:
- Soaking - to soften milk that has crusted on. 30 minutes before washing
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Washing - with a bottle brush, normally under hot running water. 10 minutes per wash load
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Transfer to Steriliser - 1 minute
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Sterilise - with chosen sterilisation method: 5-10 minutes
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Transfer to Dry Space - 3 minutes
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Drying time - normally 2-4 hours.
Typically parents wash baby bottles in batches, 2-3 times a day. The ‘active’ parts of the process take up to an hour per day, whilst the ‘passive’ parts of the process (soaking and drying) take up to 6 hours.
In conclusion, washing and sterilising baby bottles is labour intensive and time consuming
Sterilisation is just one step in the process of getting baby bottles ready and safe to feed to your newborn.
Sterilisation itself can be quick, but it is easy to underestimate the time invested in the full cleaning workflow.
Baby Bottle Washers like Bebello Washer are transforming this routine by automating every step. This allows parents the valuable time to rest, recharge, and focus on their little one.
Notes:
*Calculation based on RRP of Milton Cold Water Steriliser and Milton Sterilising Tablets to complete two sterilisation cycles a day for 12 months.
**Calculation based on RRP of Munchkin Cool Touch Microwave Steriliser Bags to complete two sterilisation cycles a day for 12 months.