How to Clean Baby Bottles That Have a Milk Odor

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Many parents have faced the problem of a baby bottle plagued with the sour smell of milk, no matter how much it is cleaned. Although the smell doesn’t have an effect on your baby’s health, the smell and sour taste can transfer to other liquids put in the bottle, creating an unpleasant drinking experience for your little one. [1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Method 1: Cleaning with Baking Soda

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  1. [2] Try to also remove any visible milk residue on the bottle by rinsing it out several times with warm water and detergent.
  2. Then, fill the bottle up halfway with warm water.
    • If you fill the bottle completely with water, it will be hard to shake up the contents in the bottle because there is no free space in the bottle.
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  3. Shake it for about 2 minutes.
  4. If the bottle no longer smells like sour milk, you have sufficiently cleaned the bottle.
  5. Find a container that can fit the entire bottle. Then, pour baking soda into the container. For each cup of water, add a teaspoon of baking soda and mix well.
  6. Fill the bottle with water from the container as well. Press the bottle parts, including the nipple, with a plate or some other heavier object so the bottle parts are submerged.
  7. Smell the bottle to confirm the odor is gone. [3]
    • Let the bottle air dry before using it again.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Method 2: Removing the Odor with Vinegar

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  1. Then, fill the bottle with the solution. You can also fill a container large enough to fit the bottle and all its parts with the solution. [4]
  2. You can do this by pressing the parts down with a heavy object like a plate.
  3. In the morning, rinse the bottle and all its parts with water and detergent.
    • The smell of vinegar may be present for a few minutes, but it will quickly evaporate.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Method 3: Sterilizing the Bottle

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  1. It should be marked with a “microwave safe” label. [5]
  2. Make sure you rinse out all the detergent.
  3. Then, separate the bottle parts and put them in a microwave safe bowl.
  4. Place the bottle and the bowl with the bottle parts in the microwave and turn it on for 90 seconds.
    • Do not remove the bottle from the microwave until it cools to avoid burns.
  5. Get a pan with a lid, large enough to fit the bottle and all its parts. [6]
  6. Then, cover the pan with the lid.
    • Boil them for 10 minutes.
    • You do not have to remove the sterilized equipment from the hot water until you plan to use it. So, this way, the bottle will remain sterilized.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Method 4: Using Alternative Solutions

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  1. The cold temperatures will freeze the bacteria and remove the smell.
    • For the best results, don’t put the bottle in another container or bag, but instead simply place it in the freezer.
  2. Then, add water and wash the bottle. Rinse the bottle well with lukewarm water. [7]
  3. Use a new toothbrush to do this or use a brush for washing bottles.
    • Add a bit of toothpaste to the baby bottle and give the inside of the bottle a good rub with the brush.
    • Rinse the bottle well with lukewarm water.
  4. The alcohol from vodka will remove bad odors. Close the lid and allow the alcohol to sit in the bottle for 2-3 hours. [8]
    • Rinse the bottle really well to ensure no vodka remains in the bottle, as drinking alcohol can be detrimental to the health of your baby.
  5. This method requires a few days. Take active charcoal briquettes and crumble them into a small powder. Pour the charcoal into the bottle and fill the bottle with warm water. Close the lid and shake well. [9]
    • Leave the bottle to sit with the charcoal mixture for 3-4 days.
    • Rinse the bottle with the warm water and detergent.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Method 5: Preventing Odors

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  1. Take a bottle brush and give the bottle a good rub on the inside and outside. [10]
    • Make sure you rinse the detergent residue from the bottle with warm running water until the water runs clear and there is no more detergent residue.
    • Always choose a detergent with a mild odor so that in the process of rinsing and cleaning, the bottle does not absorb the detergent’s odor.
  2. Bottles that sit out at room temperature can develop bacteria, especially if they are still damp after washing or if they are left unwashed. [11] In the lower, colder temperatures of the refrigerator, bacteria in the bottle will grow much slower and much weaker. [12]
    • In fact, bacteria may be responsible for the bad smell in your baby’s bottle.
  3. This will prevent the milk from spoiling in the bottle. [13]
    • If your baby has not fed from the bottle yet, you can leave the bottle out at room temperature for up to two hours. [14]
    • Prepared formula can be left in the fridge for up to 24 hours. [15] But ideally, you should prepare a fresh bottle for your little one every time they feed to prevent the development of harmful bacteria in the bottle. [16]
  4. However, you can keep any leftover breast milk in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Serve it to your baby for their next meal, but only once. If any breast milk remains when you feed your baby the second time, discard these leftovers. [17]
  5. Glass bottles will absorb fewer smells than plastic alternatives—if you are consistently finding a milk odor in your baby bottles, consider switching to glass bottles. [18]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-remove-smells-from-baby-bottles-and-sippy-cups/
      2. ↑ Rebecca Nguyen, MA. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Expert Interview. 10 June 2019.
      3. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-remove-smells-from-baby-bottles-and-sippy-cups/
      4. ↑ http://www.getsmellout.com/how-to-get-smell-out-of-a-baby-bottle/
      5. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-sterilize-baby-bottles-and-nipples/
      6. ↑ http://www.babycenter.com.au/a554982/sterilising-bottle-feeding-equipment
      7. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Cleaning-Baby-Bottles.html
      8. ↑ http://www.getsmellout.com/how-to-get-smell-out-of-a-baby-bottle/
      9. ↑ http://www.getsmellout.com/how-to-get-smell-out-of-a-baby-bottle/
      1. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-remove-smells-from-baby-bottles-and-sippy-cups/
      2. ↑ Rebecca Nguyen, MA. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Expert Interview. 10 June 2019.
      3. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-remove-smells-from-baby-bottles-and-sippy-cups/
      4. ↑ http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x542032/how-long-can-i-keep-formula-milk-out-of-the-fridge
      5. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/formulafeed-storing.html
      6. ↑ http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x542032/how-long-can-i-keep-formula-milk-out-of-the-fridge
      7. ↑ http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x542032/how-long-can-i-keep-formula-milk-out-of-the-fridge
      8. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/Can-You-Reheat-Breast-Milk.html
      9. ↑ https://parent.guide/how-to-remove-smells-from-baby-bottles-and-sippy-cups/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your baby bottle, try using baking soda, which will absorb any bad odors. First wash it with warm water and detergent to get rid of any milk residue. Then, fill the bottle halfway with warm water and a tablespoon of baking soda. Close the lid and shake the bottle for around 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, rinse the bottle and smell it. If it still smells like sour milk, fill a container with 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts warm water and place the open bottle in it until it's submerged. Leave it to soak overnight, then rinse it out with water and detergent in the morning. For more tips, including how to sterilize your baby bottles, read on!

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        Dec 24, 2017

        "I knew about boiling and putting it in microwave, didn't think about baking soda. I also didn't realize ..." more
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