How to Keep Baby Teethers Clean & Safe for Little Ones?

When your little munchkin is going through teething pain or is in the phase of putting everything in their mouth, there’s nothing better than a teether. Just like pacifiers, a teether also falls on the floor, goes in the hands of siblings, or even in the mouth of pets.

When your baby is 6 months old or younger, their immune system is not fully strengthened. This is the reason it’s imperative to sterilize baby teethers.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting - What's the Difference?

Cleaning is simply removing germs with the help of soap and water. In simple words, it means washing away any dirt from the surface. However, disinfecting aids in killing most germs and stopping them from reproducing. Moreover, cleaning should always come before disinfecting.

How to Clean a Teether?

Given below are different methods you can deploy to clean a teether:

Boiling Hot Water

This is an extremely safe cleaning method to kill germs. All you have to do is boil the teether for about 5 minutes and allow it to cool completely before giving it back to your kid. This method works perfectly for hardy plastic teethers and wooden teethers. However, make sure you check product labels and tags before boiling it to ensure the teether can withstand the heat without melting.

Baking Soda and Water

Another safe option is baking soda and water. For this method, you have to make a mixture of water and baking soda. This will help you remove dirt from the teether. Once you have rinsed and cleaned the teether, it can be returned to your baby.

White Vinegar and Water Mix

The smell of this cleaning mixture can be a little unpleasant, but it is also a safe way to clean teething toys. Add vinegar to the water and put the teether in the mixture. All the toxic residues will be removed. Rinse the toy, wipe it, let it dry, and return it to your little one.

Steam and Cold-Water Sterilization

If you have an electric steam sterilizer, it can be of great help in killing any germs. Pour a little amount of water into the sterilizer, put on the cover, and wait till the water turns into steam. Remember, that only some teethers are suitable for steam and cold water sterilization.

Cleaning a Silicone Teether

If you have bought teething toys that are made strictly from silicone, then it’s best to simply wash them with warm soapy water. Teethers made from silicone are low maintenance as they are already antimicrobial.

Cleaning a WoodTeether

Just like silicone teethers, wood teethers are also antimicrobial. Plus, wooden ones also have antibacterial properties, which aids in combating all the germs trying to make their way to your baby’s mouth. Simply wash it with soap and water and then let it dry thoroughly.