Keeping your steriliser clean is just as important as keeping your baby’s bottles clean. After all, you can’t rely on your bottles being clean if your steriliser isn’t.
The NHS advises that all baby feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, should be sterilised until your baby is at least 12 months old to help prevent infections like diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you’ve been putting it off and you’re not sure how to tackle the job, we’ve put together simple step-by-step instructions on how to descale your Tommee Tippee steriliser safely and easily.
How often should I clean my steriliser?
For cleaning and descaling an electric steam steriliser, like the Tommee Tippee model, regular maintenance is essential. If left unchecked, limescale build-up can reduce the steriliser’s effectiveness.
It’s recommended to descale your steriliser every 4 weeks (or every 2 weeks in hard water areas). This can be done using white vinegar or a stainless steel descaling solution. Avoid using multi-purpose descalers unless specified as safe for use with steam sterilisers
How to descale Tommee Tippee steriliser
Step 1: Remove the top and bottom trays of the steriliser.
Step 2: Wash the trays in warm soapy water or on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Just be sure to avoid washing with strongly coloured foods such as curries or tomato sauces as it can discolour the trays.
Step 3: In the meantime, tip out any leftover water from the base of the unit and wipe with a dry cloth.
Step 4: If you see discolouration on the heat plate, you need to descale the unit.
Step 5: You’ll need a stainless steel descaling solution or white vinegar to do this. It’s a good idea to avoid using multi-purpose descaling solutions as it can cause damage (unless it says it can be used with an electric steam steriliser).
Step 6: Pour 250ml of white vinegar into the unit and leave for 30 mins or up to 24 hours if there’s a lot of build up.
Step 7: Discard any liquid when it’s done and rinse with cool water.
Step 8: Plug the steriliser back in and pour 80ml of water back into the unit.
Step 9: Run it on a normal cycle then give your steriliser a final rinse and it’s all ready to use.
Watch this video tutorial below to see the cleaning in action.
Alternative methods
If you prefer to avoid vinegar, lemon juice can be used as a natural alternative. Follow the same steps, replacing 250ml of white vinegar with 250ml of lemon juice.
Why regular descaling matters
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Prevents limescale buildup
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Ensures bottles are properly sterilised
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Helps maintain the efficiency and longevity of the steriliser
For additional guidance, check out theofficial Tommee Tippee support page orthis comprehensive bottle sterilisation guide.
How to descale a Tommee Tippee steriliser FAQs
How often should I descale my Tommee Tippee steriliser?
Hard water areas: Every 14 days
Medium water areas: Every 21 days
Soft water areas: Every 28 days
Regular descaling prevents limescale build-up, which can affect performance.
How do I descale a Tommee Tippee steriliser with vinegar?
1. Pour 250ml of white vinegar into the base.
2. Leave it for 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on build-up.
3. Discard the vinegar, rinse with cool water, and run a sterilising cycle with fresh water before use
Can I descale a Tommee Tippee steriliser without vinegar?
Yes, you can use a stainless steel-safe descaling solution following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Some parents also use lemon juice as a natural alternative, though it may not be as effective as vinegar.
Why does my steriliser have a chalky residue?
This is likely limescale build-up, meaning it’s time to descale. Running a descaling cycle should remove it.
About the author
Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics surrounding all things motherhood and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips.