Hygiene and cleanliness are one of the top priority for parents with new infant. Newborn are still developing their immune system and are vulnerable to illnesses caused by bacteria that can linger on feeding equipment such as bottles, teats and pacifier.
Many older parents use the time-tested method of using boiling hot water to disinfect baby bottles after a soapy wash. However, boiling water takes time as you need to boil water first, then you also need to make sure that all the floating bottles and accessories stay beneath the surface to effectively sterilise them. When using hot water for clean baby water bottles and there’s a risk of scalding, messes or hot water spill.
As society goes through higher standard of living and busy work schedules, sterilizer is a becoming a “must-have” tools for modern parents. More parents are turning towards sterilising machines to help them save time and more effectively sterilise their baby’s items with less effort.
But with so many different sterilisers out there it can become very confusing to choose the best product for keeping your baby safe. The two types of sterilizers in the market are :-
- Steam Sterilizer
- UV Sterilizer
Steam Sterilizer
Steam sterilisers use natural steam to effectively kill 99.99% of bacteria. Since steam spreads quickly, all surfaces of your baby’s bottles, accessories and your pump parts are sterilized in about 10 minutes regardless of their shape. However, take note that not all products can be placed under steam.
Some steam sterilisers include an integrated dryer, so you can sterilise, dry and store your baby’s products at the push of a button. When the lid is kept closed the contents remain sterile for up to 24hours.
Steam sterilizer is more affordable but can only be used to sterilize bottles, teats, pacifier and breast pump accessories.
UV Sterilizer
UV bottle sterilisers use ultraviolet (UV) light to sterilise baby products. Without using water, UV Sterilizers require lesser step as you don’t have to fill in water and lesser time as there is no need to wait for the water to dry up. However, some UV sterilisers require a very long cleaning time (40-60minutes) to kill 99.9% of germs .
UV light only kills germs if it directly shines on the product surface containing bacteria. This can be problematic for bottle teats and pacifiers which are likely to miss the up-and-down straight path where the UV light shines.
The price of a UV sterilizer is more expensive but it is a long term investment as it can also be used to sterilized other product such as toys, kitchen utensils, and even your phone. Also, UV sterilizers tend to feature a stainless steel interior which lasts a lifetime.
Conclusion
The objective for Steam Sterilizer and UV Sterilizer is the same – to make all things that goes through the machine, germ-free. Both UV and steam sterilizers are good and at the end of the day, it boils down to the desired feature needs and preferences of each parent.
- Steam Sterilizers: Use steam generated from water to disinfect
- UV Sterilizers: Use UV light from the bulbs to kill germs and bacteria
Popular Steam Sterilizer and UV Sterilizer in Malaysia
Autumnz
- Autumnz Premium Steam Sterilizer & Dryer: Can hold up to 8 bottles and accessories at a time. You can choose to sterilise only; dry only; store up to 72-hour; auto (sterilise, dry and storage) and preset (auto, sterilise or dry) function to your convenient
- Autumnz All-In-One Baby Bottle Sterilizer (Sterilise, Dry, Warm and Defrost): Can sterilise up to 6 wide neck bottles and accessories. Warming / defrosting milk or baby food at the selection of degree between 37 °C and 60 °C
Bubbles
- Bubbles Steam Sterilizer (with SIRIM label): Large capacity for 6 bottles and accessories including breast pump parts.
- Bubbles Steam & Dry Sterilizer (with SIRIM label): Large capacity for 6 bottles and accessories including breast pump parts. Multipurpose functions able to meet different needs such as sterilizng bottles, drying bottle, warming milk and heating baby food.
- Bubbles 4 in 1 UVC Sterilizer & Dryer (with SIRIM label): 10L Capacity, can keep up to 12 bottles. 4 Modes of Operations (AUTO, STERILIZE, DRYING and STORAGE). Dual Philips UVC Lamps more effectively kills more germs and bacterias
Coby UV
- COBY UV V5 UV LED Sterilizer 22L (Pink/Blue/Green/White): Equipped with 6 sides 304 stainless steel surfaces for complete sterilization. Detacheable HEPA filter layer for double protection and filtration, ensure that the flowing air is fresh and clean.
- COBY UV Double Protection UV LED Sterilizer V4
- COBY UV Mini V3 Sterilizer 10L
Haenim
First UVC-LED in Korea. The only sterilizer in the world that lab tested and proven to be effective in killing 99.99% of Human Corona-virus. Plus, it is effective to eliminate Influenza Virus, Norovirus, and broad spectrum of bacterias.
- Smart Flex UVC-LED Sterilizer: Size 295x375x425mm. 15 UV LEDs for Complete Sterilization
- 4G+ Smart Classic UVC-LED Sterilizer: Size 295x375x425mm. 9 UV LEDs for Complete Sterilization. Large Capacity 25L can fit 16 baby bottles.
- 3G+ Smart View UVC-LED Sterilizer: Size 295x375x425mm. 9 UV LEDs for Complete Sterilization
- MINI UVC-LED Sterilizer: Size 305x225x310mm. 6 UVC-LEDs for complete sterilization.
Philips Avent
- Philips Avent 4 in 1 Baby Bottle Electric Sterilizer & Dryer SCF293/01: A full sterilizing and drying cycle lasts just 40 minutes. It does more than clean bottles and kill germs, it dries and stores bottles and accessories, keeping them sterile for up to 24 hours. It can hold up to six Philips Avent baby bottles. It also fits all the other essentials, from teats and soothers to a manual breast pump.
- Philips Avent 3 in 1 Baby Bottle Electric Sterilizer SCF291/01: Experience speed and safety with the sterilizing cycle lasting just 10 minutes, after which the sterilizer automatically turns itself off. It can hold up to six Philips Avent baby bottles. It also fits all the other essentials, from teats and soothers to a manual breast pump.
Samu Giken
- Samu Giken 2-in-1 Electric Sterilizer & Steamer: Hold up to at least 5 milk bottles and multiple small item like baby teats.
- Samu Giken UV Sterilizer Box: 18L. Large Dynamic True Color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). See Through Coated Tempered Glass Window Design
Spectra
- Spectra UV LED Sterilizer: Despite its small outlook, the Spectra UV-LED Sterilizer can fit up to 32 bottles. The temperature control is also at only 40°C – 50°C which makes it safe for plastics & silicone to be used with this product without harming it directly. The 9 UVC LEDs present inside the unit also ensures you get a 99.9999% effective sterilization rate for your daily sterilization needs.
Upang
- uPang Signature LED (UV Waterless Sterilizer): Upang UV Sterilizer is the First UV sterilizer in the world, the best-selling baby bottle sterilizer in Korea & winner of 4 consecutive in Korea. Upang is also certified by the US FDA and six other health organizations. Outer dimensions is 32x40x45cm and can hold 16-25 bottles and accessories. For sterilization, it uses 9 UV-LED Lamps (6 rotating on top, 3 fixed on body).
Tommee Tippee
- Tommee Tippee Ultra UV Steriliser, Dryer and Storage: Effectively sterilise without steam and hot water, but it also dries and stores your baby’s bottles hygienically. The adjustable shelves give you the option to customise the space to fit any other breastfeeding or baby accessories. Six sterile and dry bottles in 35 minutes.
- Steridryer Electric Steam Steriliser & Dryer: Using the all-natural cleaning power of steam this steriliser kills 99.9% of harmful germs and household bacteria without harsh chemicals and leaves no nasty residue. And because steam gets into those hard to reach places, you can be reassured that it sterilises those hard to reach areas, getting rid of germs that may linger in bottles, teats, breast pumps and other accessories even after thorough washing. Sterilize and dry 6 bottles in just 40 minutes
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