How to Sanitize Baby Teethers Between Uses Without Damaging Them
Key Takeaways: The Short Answer
- Know Your Material: 100% food-grade silicone (like Nubokind) is heat-resistant and can be boiled or steamed. Wood and plastic often cannot.
- Cleaning vs. Sanitizing: Cleaning uses soap and water to remove visible dirt. Sanitizing uses heat or steam to kill invisible bacteria. You need to do both.
- The "5-Second Rule" Myth: If it hits a public floor (malls, hospitals), sanitize it. If it hits your living room rug, a warm soapy wash is usually sufficient.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use bleach, alcohol, or heavy detergents on items that go into a baby's mouth. Stick to baby-safe dish soap and hot water.
The "Oops, It Dropped" Moment
It happens to every parent: You are out for a walk or sitting in a café, and your baby launches their favourite teether onto the dirty floor. Do you wipe it with a baby wipe? Do you need to boil it? Is it ruined?
Babies have developing immune systems, so keeping their mouthing tools clean is critical. However, how you clean them depends entirely on what they are made of.
At Nubokind, we design our products for real life — which means we make them easy to clean. Here is your complete guide to sanitizing teethers without melting, warping, or ruining them.
Quick Reference: Sanitization by Material
Before you toss a teether into the dishwasher or a pot of boiling water, you must know what it is made of.
| Material | Boil Safe | Dishwasher Safe | Steam Safe | Daily Clean Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food-Grade Silicone | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Soap + hot water |
| Wood | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Damp cloth + mild soap only |
| Plastic / Gel-Filled | ✗ | ⚠ Check label | ⚠ Check label | Warm soapy water |
| Fabric / Cloth | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Gentle machine wash |
The Golden Rule: Check the Material First
1. 100% Food-Grade Silicone — The Easiest to Clean
Heat Tolerance: High. Food-grade silicone withstands temperatures above 200°C without leaching chemicals or losing shape.
Sanitization Methods: Boiling water, steam sterilizer, UV sterilizer, top-rack dishwasher.
Nubokind Advantage: Because our Ele Ring and Kiko No-Drop teethers are made from a single mold of silicone, there are no cracks or joined parts where bacteria can hide — the single biggest hygiene advantage of a one-piece design.
2. Wood — The Most Delicate
Heat Tolerance: Low. Heat causes wood to expand and crack, creating rough edges that can injure gum tissue.
Sanitization Methods: Surface wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap only. Never soak in water or boil.
3. Plastic and Gel-Filled Teethers
Heat Tolerance: Low to medium. Many plastics release BPA or warp under high heat. Gel-filled teethers can burst if boiled, creating an ingestion hazard.
Sanitization Methods: Warm soapy water wash. Avoid steam sterilizers unless the packaging explicitly states it is safe.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sanitizing Silicone Teethers
If you own a Nubokind teether, you have the most hygienic option available. Here is how to ensure it is 100% germ-free using each method.
Boiling Water Technique
Best for: After a drop in a public place, or if the baby has been sick.
- Bring a pot of clean water to a rolling boil.
- Turn off the heat (or reduce to a low simmer).
- Drop the silicone teether in for 3–5 minutes.
- Remove with tongs — never with bare hands.
- Place on a clean towel and allow to air dry completely before use.
Dishwasher
Best for: Busy parents at the end of the day.
- Place the teether on the top rack of the dishwasher only (away from the heating element at the bottom).
- Use a mild, natural detergent.
- Run on a normal cycle.
- Allow to cool and air dry before returning to your baby.
Steam Sterilizer
Best for: Parents who already use a bottle sterilizer.
- Toss your Nubokind teether in alongside your baby bottles.
- Run the normal sterilizer cycle.
- Steam penetrates the silicone to kill 99.9% of bacteria without damaging texture or shape.
UV Sterilizer
Best for: Parents who prefer no heat and no water.
- Rinse the teether first with warm soapy water to remove visible residue.
- Place inside a UV sterilizer box.
- Run one full UV cycle (typically 5–10 minutes depending on your device).
- Remove and use immediately or store in a clean, dry container.
How to Clean Wooden or Fabric Teethers
If you have teethers made of mixed materials (like wood rings with fabric), you cannot boil them. You must clean each material on its own terms.
Wood: Dip a clean cloth in soapy water, wring it out until just damp, and wipe the wood surface. Dry immediately with a dry towel. Do not let it air dry — moisture trapped in the grain promotes mold growth, which is invisible at first but dangerous for infants.
Fabric and Plush: Check the label. Most can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, but they take a long time to dry fully. Never give a damp fabric teether to a baby — mold and mildew can develop inside the stuffing.
What to Look for in an Easy-to-Clean Teether
Use this before purchasing any teether — in store or online.
- One-piece construction — no joins, seams, or detachable parts where bacteria can accumulate
- 100% food-grade silicone — the only material that is boil-safe, steam-safe, and dishwasher-safe
- BIS IS 9873 certified — independently verified to meet India's national safety standards for baby products
- No painted or varnished surfaces — coatings can flake off and are not safe at high sanitization temperatures
- Smooth, non-porous surface — prevents bacteria from embedding where you cannot see or reach them
- No liquid or gel filling — if you want easy sterilization; gel-filled teethers cannot be boiled
Frequently Asked Questions
Make Cleanup Stress-Free
Stop worrying about moldy wood or melting plastic. Nubokind teethers are 100% food-grade silicone — boil, steam, dishwasher, and UV safe by design. BIS IS 9873 certified, India's highest domestic safety standard.
leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.