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.
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.
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.
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.
