Why I’ll Never Hand Wash Baby Bottles Again (And You Shouldn’t Either)

I am a single working mom of two children who are now five and three. It’s not easy. I’m not sure which was more challenging (the toddler phase or the baby phase) each beautiful and tiresome in its own way. 

When you're a busy mom, every shortcut matters. If you're wondering whether a baby bottle washer is worth it, let me tell you: it absolutely is. These little machines are like having a second set of hands in your kitchen, and when you’re stretched thin, they can be a lifesaver.

How a Baby Bottle Washer Makes All the Difference

Here are my problems with handwashing baby bottles.

• Exhaustion. I was always too tired to wash my babies’ bottles, nipples, and accessories.
• Hygiene. If I did wash them, I was too exhausted and/or busy to wash everything well, and some of today’s bottles and their parts can have so many crevices!
• Inconvenient + Frustrating. I’d often leave the bottles in the sink, so of course, when I needed one, they were all dirty.

And now, here’s how automatic bottle washers saved me.

• Effortless. Just pop the baby bottles in the bottle washer machine and press start. Then! Pop a bottle of wine! 
• Effectiveness + Thoroughness. They clean every part of the bottle back to a pristine state, crevices and all. 
• Easy + Convenient. No more dropping them into the sink, hoping a magic fairy would clean them for me. I started to always have clean, ready-to-go bottles right when I needed them, and as we know, often when that baby wants milk, they want it NOW.

Top Baby Bottle Washers Brands We Nominate for You

Before I dive into my own experience, let's go over the top baby bottle washers you should have on your radar – because if you're gonna make life easier, you deserve the best.

Grownsy DeepClean Bottle Washer Pro

This machine comes with 40 high-pressure jets, clearing off any remaining residue (I definitely had that going on) and stains. It can fit up to 4 bottles with multiple nipples and baby accessories. It’s user-friendly, and 1 of the 4 wash modes only takes 81 minutes to wash, sterilize (eliminates 99% of germs), AND dry everything.

And what’s more amazing is that this product uses 50% less water than handwashing, so it is absolutely an eco-friendly choice. Comes with 60 detergent tablets.

Price: $279.99

Get it on Amazon

Grownsy EaseClean Bottle Washer Pro

The Grownsy EaseClean Pro is your do-it-all bottle washer, built for parents who need a real break. It washes, sterilizes, dries, and stores bottles, pump parts, sippy cups – basically anything baby-related that piles up fast.

With 26 high-pressure jets (12 inside, 14 swirling around the outside), it gets into every crevice. And with 9 customizable cleaning modes – including a 19-minute quick wash – it works with your schedule, not against it.

Price: $239.99

Get it on Amazon

Papablic Bottle Washer Pro

The Papablic Baby Bottle Washer Pro packs 26 high-pressure jets and 9 cleaning modes into a compact, user-friendly design. While its sterilization temperature is slightly lower than the Grownsy, it still effectively cleans, sterilizes, and dries baby bottles and accessories.

It holds up to four bottles plus nipples and other small items, making it perfect for daily use. The unit also includes 60 detergent tablets.

Price: $299.99

Get it on Amazon

Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro

With 20 powerful spray jets and 6 cleaning modes, this washer targets every surface for a thorough clean. It uses steam to eliminate 99.9% of germs and dries everything with germ-free hot air filtered through a HEPA system. The full wash and rinse cycle takes only 19 minutes, and items stay sterilized for up to 72 hours. 

Plus, it’s super efficient, using 85% less water than handwashing. It comes with 60 detergent tablets to get you started, and you can stock up on more with an extra 20% off.

Price: $269.99

Get it on Baby Brezza

Momcozy KleanPal Pro Baby Bottle Washer

The Momcozy KleanPal Pro is an eco-conscious all-in-one bottle washer that cleans, sterilizes, dries, and stores baby bottles and accessories. It operates using just 2.5 liters of water per cycle, saving up to 86.7% compared to handwashing and 94.7% compared to dishwashers.

The washer uses natural steam to kill 99.9% of germs and features a HEPA filter that maintains sterile storage for up to 72 hours. Its waste-free design eliminates the need for a dirty water tank, and it includes 60 baby-safe detergent tablets to get you started.

Price: $299.99

Get it on Momcozy

MOMFANN 4-in-1 Baby Bottle Washer

The MOMFANN 4-in-1 Baby Bottle Washer is built for busy parents who want efficient cleaning without compromising sustainability. Its unique rotating spray system ensures bottles and small parts are thoroughly washed, while built-in steam sterilization keeps everything hygienic.

The compact, low-energy design helps reduce both water and electricity use, making it a smart, eco-friendly option. Plus, its sleek, modern look fits seamlessly on any kitchen counter, without taking up much room. Comes with 30 detergent tablets.

Price: $239.99

Get it on Amazon

BONUS: Grownsy Baby Bottle Washer Detergent

Say goodbye to stubborn milk residue and hello to sparkling clean bottles with this awesome baby bottle washer detergent! Packed with 130 powerful tablets, it's the ultimate cleaning solution for parents who want convenience and top-notch hygiene.

These tablets are compatible with all baby bottle washers, making them a versatile must-have for any tired, busy parent. With every wash, you’ll get spotless, residue-free bottles, so you can focus on what matters– those priceless baby cuddles!

Price: $15.19

Get it on Amazon

Why I Needed a Bottle Washer: When Motherhood Takes Center Stage

When we become moms, we give up so much – well, many of us do.

I wanted to become a midwife, I wanted to travel the world, I wanted to volunteer, and just learn.

But having two babies just 15 months apart meant I couldn’t go full-fledged into midwifery. Babies come when they want, and birthwork demands you be ready at any hour.

I knew I’d have to put midwifery and travel on the back burner. And honestly, I was okay with putting those dreams on hold. I was ecstatic to be their mom.

That ecstasy, though, doesn’t come without strings. Our babies need us. Their entire survival depends on it.

Some days would pass by, and I’d realize – wow, I haven't even looked in the mirror, much less taken a shower! I wasn’t a victim. I was happy. But I was also exhausted.

In those early days, I was breastfeeding exclusively because I wanted my babies to start their lives with the most nourishing, natural substance out there – my breast milk. Well, that worked for a while until I found myself drowning in that breast milk.

I needed a break, and that meant someone else watching my babies for a little bit, and we know what that meant. I’d have to switch over to a bottle and breast pumps. So I did. 

And it turned out that switching to bottles was one of the best decisions I made for myself and my babies.

The Day a Friend Changed Everything

But bottles came with their own kind of chaos.

I didn’t want to clean the pump, I didn’t want to clean the bottles. It was all just one more thing I had to do, so even though I’d get my breaks, messes remained for me to clean.

If I were too tired, and often we all are as new moms, I’d find the bottles not washed well enough, and as my baby was screaming, remnants of milk residue would sit there staring at me, as if to say, “Nice try! Maybe you should wash me again.” 

I’d leave them in the sink, disgruntled, and just go to bed. 

Then one day, a friend of mine said, “Klayton, you won’t believe how easy cleaning bottles can be. Don’t give up your alone time just because you never want to hand wash your babies’ bottles.”

I asked, “Well, what’s the secret?”

She paused and slowly yet firmly said, "Bottle washer machine."

She explained it like it was the eighth wonder of the world. They’re automatic, so you just press one button and bam! It cleans, sanitizes, and dries the bottles and accessories. You don’t have to do anything except load the bottles up, add your bottle washer detergent tablets, press a button, and that’s it.

I was sold. I started researching immediately. And to this day, I recommend bottle cleaners over handwashing any day of the week. 

Anything we mamas can do to make our days easier, less stressful, and less draining, we better do! We must seize such opportunities! Our mental survival depends on it, just like our babies' complete reliance on us for physical survival.

Changes I Saw After Switching to Countertop Baby Bottle Washers

Once I made the switch, the difference wasn’t just logistical; it was emotional.

Woohoo!

That first week, I felt my shoulders loosen and go down. My stress levels dropped. My jaw was even more relaxed. I slept better because I wasn’t as stressed out. Why? Because I had more time for ME.

I had more time to work and more time to engage in self-care. Grocery store runs and general errands were quicker and so much more peaceful!

And you know what else? My babies felt it.

I feel grateful for the (much-needed) spaciousness my baby bottle washer provided me, which also positively affected my two babies.

What mama feels, baby feels. We are just that connected to them. Even though their umbilical cords have long been cut, there seems to be an invisible cord linking mothers to their offspring.

Switching to a countertop baby bottle washer wasn’t just about clean bottles. It gave me back tiny pieces of myself, and that made me a better, happier mom.

It’s such a special gift to be a mom. It’s also challenging and sometimes can feel debilitating, so however we can stay on that path of least resistance – especially during such a vulnerable time for you and your baby – we better do it.

So, if you're standing at your sink right now, scrubbing a mountain of bottles while your baby cries in the background, hear me when I say: You don’t have to do it this way.

You deserve help. Even if that help comes in the form of a sleek little machine that makes life a tiny bit easier.