How to clean a pacifier?
On the floor, on the street, behind the playpen, under the table: your baby’s pacifier can often be found in any of these places. To keep their pacifier clean, it must be sterilized regularly. So, what is the best way to clean a pacifier? In this blog, we will give you some tips.
How often should the pacifier be cleaned?
It is recommended to sterilize the pacifier before first-time use, so all possible bacteria are killed. After this, if your baby uses the pacifier every day, it is recommended to clean it every day. For babies of six months or older, cleaning their pacifier once a week is sufficient. In the meantime, do check if the pacifier is clean every time before you give it to your baby.
How do I clean the pacifier?
There are several ways to clean a pacifier; you can wash it by hand, boil it, sterilise it, or clean it in the dishwasher. Before first-time use, it is recommended to boil or sterilise the pacifier, as this way, you get rid of all bacteria. After that, you can choose whichever method you prefer.
Cleaning with washing-up liquid:
- Rinse the teat well with warm water.
- Wash the teat with a mild dishwashing liquid. This has been specially developed for baby products.
- For bottle teats, the small brush in the bottle brush can be used to thoroughly clean the inside of the teat.
- Rinse well with warm running water.
Note: The Difrax LOVI pacifier is unfortunately not suitable for the dishwasher.
After this, it is possible to boil or sterilise the teats using the microwave sterilisation or bottle warmer. We recommend doing this deep cleaning once every few weeks.
Boiling the pacifier in a pan:
1. Put the pacifier in a pan with water.
2. Bring the water to the boil.
3. Leave the pacifier in the boiling water for no more than three minutes.
4. Use a clean spoon to remove the pacifier from the pan.
5. Put the pacifier on a clean (kitchen) towel and leave it to dry and cool.
Sterilizing pacifiers in the microwave using the sterilizer egg:
Difrax has a handy sterilizer egg that is specially designed to sterilize one or two pacifiers.
1. Open the egg, fill the egg with water up to the mark (10 ml) and put in no more than two pacifiers.
2. Close the lid and place the egg in the microwave.
3. Set the microwave to 800 Watts and three minutes.
4. Leave the sterilizer egg to cool before carefully taking it out of the microwave.
5. Pour the water out of the egg through the holes in the side and you’re ready to go!
Sterilizing pacifiers (and bottles) in the microwave sterilizer:
Besides the sterilizer egg, Difrax also has a microwave sterilizer. This fits four bottles and a couple of pacifiers.
1. Fill the microwave sterilizer with water up to the mark (200 ml) and put in the items.
2. Put the lid onto the sterilizer and place it in the microwave.
3. Set the microwave to 800 Watts and three minutes.
4. Leave the microwave sterilizer to cool before taking it out of the microwave.
5. Remove the clean items.
Sterilizing pacifiers in the dishwasher:
You can also clean a pacifier in the dishwasher. Place the pacifiers in the top rack of the dishwasher and choose a program of at least 55°C (also see why do pacifiers have ages).
Checking the pacifier for damage
Besides keeping the pacifier clean, it is also important to regularly check it for damage. To do this, firmly pull the sucking area. If you notice any damage, you should immediately replace the pacifier. No damage? If the pacifier is used daily, it is sufficient to replace it every six weeks.