How to Clean Cloudy Baby Bottles (2024)

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How to Clean Cloudy Baby Bottles (1)

What makes plastic go cloudy in the dishwasher? Do you wonder sometimes if you should even be using those baby bottles, even when you know they’re clean? That cloudy film is actually made up of mineral deposits that stick to the plastic due to the dishwasher’s heat and quick drying process. And if you have hard water, this will only make the problem worse. Here is how to get your cloudy baby bottles clean again.

1. Wash Them Alone

Hopefully, your dishwasher has a “top rack only” cycle. Why? Because when you wash plastic baby bottles with other utensils and dishes, things like colored sauces and other foods will actually penetrate the plastic in the baby bottle and cloud it right up. While your bottles will be clean, they’ll come out with discoloration.

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2. Avoid the Highest Heat

No parent wants to allow bacteria or illness to be passed on to their baby through an unsanitary baby bottle. That’s why we place so much importance on using high temperatures to kill those germs. However, you also need to remember that high temperatures can also degrade the plastic. This not only leads to that signature cloudy look, but can cause chemicals from the plastic to get into your baby’s formula. Instead of defaulting to the hottest water possible, try taking the heat down a notch or two where you can.

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3. Use Vinegar

To remove the cloudiness, try soaking your baby bottles in equal parts water and white vinegar. After soaking, rinse them with cold water. This will help stains, odors, and cloudiness clear up. Just be sure you rinse away all the vinegar, as it tends to cause curdling of milk or formula.

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4. Try Baking Soda

This tip can help with both cloudiness and odors. Take about 1 teaspoon of baking soda and pour it into the bottle, then fill the rest with warm or barely hot water. Shake it up well before rinsing and wiping it out.

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How to Clean Cloudy Baby Bottles (2024)

FAQs

How to Clean Cloudy Baby Bottles? ›

This can leave a white or cloudy residue on the bottles. Here's how you can address this issue: Regularly descale your baby bottles by soaking them in a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Leave them to soak for about 30 minutes, then scrub away any remaining residue with a bottle brush.

How to remove cloudiness from baby bottles? ›

Briefly immerse cloudy baby bottles in boiling water and wash them with our Milk Buster Baby Bottle Cleaner. Maintain clear and hygienic bottles with a consistent cleaning routine, washing promptly after each use to prevent milk fats and proteins' gradual buildup.

How do you get rid of cloudy water bottles? ›

Put a teaspoon of bleach and a teaspoon of baking soda in the bottle and fill it with water. Let the bottle sit overnight. Rinse out the bottle completely the next day (or run it through the dishwasher). Let the bottle air dry completely.

Why do baby bottles get foggy? ›

Putting boiling water in them, microwaving or washing them in high-temperature settings in a dishwasher introduces too much heat to plastic. The heat makes them go soft and disrupts the original arrangement of the plastic molecules designed by the manufacturers, which could eventually result in cloudy baby bottles.

How long to soak bottles in vinegar? ›

In a container cover bottle with vinegar and leave for 10 mins. After 10 min discard and rinse out with water. Air dry with lid off. Vinegar (dilute 1 part vinegar in 4 parts water).

How long does it take for cloudy water to go away? ›

It is referred to as a bacteria bloom. The cloudiness should be gone within anywhere from two days to a couple of weeks. You can do a 10 to 15 percent partial water change and gravel vacuuming after a week to speed it up.

How do you clean bottles with vinegar? ›

For a less intense but still effective way to give your reusable bottle a thorough cleaning, fill it with equal parts white vinegar and warm water and leave it to soak overnight. The next day, rinse the bottle out, give it a soapy scrub with your brush to ensure there's no lingering vinegar taste, and be on your way.

Do baby bottles go bad? ›

As for the bottles themselves, if you're using plastic, a safe rule of thumb is to replace them every 4 to 6 months. These bottles are handy and lightweight but are more susceptible to scratches and degradation over time. On the other hand, glass bottles have a longer shelf life when well-maintained.

What happens if you don't wash a new bottle? ›

Backwash from drinking can cause bacteria to grow in your water bottle, while stagnant water or other beverages can lead to mold—which is why regular cleaning and sanitizing is key.

Why is the inside of my water bottle cloudy? ›

A: If the clouding is on the inside it could be from the minerals in your water. Put a mixture of vinegar and water in your bottle and let it set overnight. If the cloudiness is on the outside it could be from the alcohol in hand lotions or anything that has alcohol in it.

Why is my glass water bottle cloudy? ›

Cloudiness in glassware is usually caused by two things: Calcium and magnesium left behind from hard water. Washing them by hand is the most effective way to keep them clean and spot-free, says Vera Peterson, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

Is cloudy water OK to drink? ›

White or cloudy water is likely to be caused by air trapped in the water and is not harmful to health. If you also experience an unusual taste or odour to the water or your water has been white or cloudy for more than 24 hours and is not clearing, we suggest you contact your water supplier for further advice.

Is it safe to drink cloudy filtered water? ›

If it's due to tiny air bubbles, minerals, or bits of stuff in the water, it's generally safe to drink, as these are more of an aesthetic issue than a health hazard.

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