<p>A steriliser is one of the bulkier things on a baby packing list, and away from home you may not have the kitchen you rely on. This guide explains what the NHS and the CDC say about cleaning and sterilising feeding equipment, which methods can work in a hotel or rental, and how to decide whether a portable steriliser is worth the space.</p>
Last reviewed: November 2026. This guide draws on the NHS page “Sterilising baby bottles” (last reviewed February 2023) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page “How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items” (last reviewed March 2025). It’s general information, not medical advice. If your baby was born early, is unwell or has a weakened immune system, check with your health visitor, midwife or doctor.
At home, sterilising bottles is part of the routine. You have a kettle, a sink, a steriliser on the worktop and somewhere clean to leave everything. On holiday, you might have a hotel room with a bathroom basin and no microwave, or a rental kitchen where you don’t know what’s in the cupboards. That’s when parents start wondering whether a portable steriliser is worth the space, or whether a careful wash is enough.
The answer depends on your baby’s age and health, where you’re staying and how you feed. This guide doesn’t recommend a product. It sets out what two health bodies say, and how to apply that to a trip.
Quick answer
- Cleaning always comes first. Both the NHS and the CDC say feeding equipment should be cleaned after feeds. Sterilising doesn’t replace that step.
- The NHS (UK) says to sterilise all feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until your baby is at least 12 months old.
- The CDC (US) says daily sanitising is especially important for babies under 2 months old, born prematurely or with a weakened immune system. It says older, healthy babies may not need daily sanitising if items are carefully cleaned after each use.
- Both list several methods, including boiling and steam. The NHS also lists cold-water sterilising solution. The CDC lists a bleach solution as a last resort.
- A portable steriliser makes most sense when you’ll have power or a microwave but no easy way to boil a large pan, and your baby is in the group where sterilising matters most.
Cleaning versus sterilising
These are two different jobs. Cleaning removes milk residue. Sterilising, or sanitising as the CDC calls it, kills germs that remain after cleaning.
The NHS says to clean bottles, teats and other equipment in hot, soapy water as soon as possible after feeds. It recommends a bottle brush used only for bottles and a small teat brush for the inside of teats, and says you can turn teats inside out to wash them. It also says not to use salt to clean teats. Then rinse everything in clean, cold running water before sterilising.
The CDC adds some details that matter when you’re travelling. It advises washing in a basin used only for feeding items, rather than directly in the sink, with a brush kept for feeding items. It says to squeeze water through the nipple holes, rinse again, and wash your hands for 20 seconds before handling clean items. And it says to throw away formula or milk your baby hasn’t finished within 2 hours.
A hotel bathroom basin isn’t ideal for washing bottles. A small collapsible washing-up bowl and a dedicated bottle brush are light to pack, and they let you follow this advice almost anywhere.
What about the dishwasher in a rental?
The two sources differ here. The NHS says a dishwasher cleans equipment but does not sterilise it. It suggests placing bottles, lids and teats facing downwards, and says you may prefer to hand-wash teats separately.
The CDC says that if items are dishwasher-safe, you can take them apart, put small parts in a closed basket or mesh bag, and use hot water with a heated drying or sanitising cycle if possible. It says a dishwasher with a sanitising setting means you don’t need a separate sanitising step.
If you follow NHS guidance, plan to sterilise after the dishwasher. If you follow the CDC’s, check whether the rental’s dishwasher actually has a sanitising or heated drying setting. Many holiday dishwashers have instructions in the local language only, so take a photo of the panel and look up the model if you can.
Methods that work away from home
| Method | What the sources say | What you need on holiday | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling | NHS: check items are safe to boil, boil for at least 10 minutes with everything under the surface, set a timer. CDC: cover with water, boil for 5 minutes, remove with clean tongs | A hob and a large pan | NHS: teats wear out faster, so check for tears and cracks. The two sources give different times, so follow the longer one if you’re unsure |
| Steam (microwave or electric) | NHS and CDC: follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as types vary | A microwave for microwave bags or boxes, or a socket and the right adapter for an electric unit | Check the voltage and plug type for an electric steriliser before you go. Check microwave power settings in the maker’s instructions |
| Cold-water solution | NHS: follow the maker’s instructions, leave for at least 30 minutes, change the solution every 24 hours, no trapped air bubbles, use a container with a floating cover or plunger | A lidded container and sterilising tablets or liquid | Taking tablets or liquid through airport security. See our guide to airport security with children |
| Bleach solution | CDC: 2 teaspoons of unscented bleach per gallon (16 cups) of water, soak for at least 2 minutes, don’t rinse, air-dry. Use only if you can’t boil, steam or use a dishwasher | Unscented bleach, which you’d buy locally | Measuring accurately in a holiday kitchen. Labels and strengths vary from country to country |
The NHS page doesn’t mention UV sterilisers, and we didn’t find NHS or CDC guidance on them, so we haven’t included them here. If you’re considering one, ask your health visitor or doctor.
Do you need a portable steriliser? A decision table
| Your situation | Likely approach |
|---|---|
| Hotel room with a microwave, baby under 12 months | Microwave steam bags or a compact microwave steriliser can be the lightest option. Check the room has a microwave before you book or pack |
| Hotel room with no microwave and no hob | Cold-water solution or a plug-in electric steriliser. Ask the hotel what’s available; some may be able to help |
| Self-catering with a hob | Boiling in a pan works without extra kit, if your bottles and teats are safe to boil |
| Rental with a dishwasher | Depends which guidance you follow; see the dishwasher section above |
| Baby under 2 months, born early, or with a weakened immune system | The CDC stresses daily sanitising for this group. Plan a reliable method before you travel, and ask your health professional |
| Older, healthy baby, short trip | The NHS still advises sterilising until at least 12 months. The CDC says daily sanitising may not be needed if you clean carefully after each use. Decide which guidance you’ll follow, ideally with your health visitor |
| Breastfed baby, occasional bottle or none | You may need very little kit. If you’re expressing, you’ll still need to clean pump parts; see our guide to flying with formula, breast milk and pumps |
After sterilising: drying and storage on the move
- Leave things where they are. The NHS suggests leaving bottles and teats in the steriliser or pan until you need them. If you take them out, put teats and lids on straight away.
- Hands and tongs. The NHS says to wash and dry your hands first, or better still, use sterile tongs.
- Assemble on a clean surface. The NHS suggests a clean, disinfected surface or the upturned lid of the steriliser. A steriliser with a lid that doubles as a tray is handy in a hotel.
- Air-dry, don’t towel. The CDC says to let items air-dry completely on a clean, unused towel or paper towel, and not to rub or pat them with a dish towel. Paper towels are easy to pack.
- Store them covered. The CDC suggests a clean, protected place, such as a closed cupboard used only for clean dishes. On a trip, a clean lidded box or the steriliser itself does the same job.
Packing list
- Collapsible bowl used only for feeding items
- Bottle brush and teat brush
- Travel-size washing-up liquid
- Your chosen steriliser: microwave bags, a compact box, a plug-in unit, or a lidded container for cold-water solution
- Sterilising tablets, if you use cold water
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Plug adapter, if your steriliser is electric
- Spare teats, as boiling wears them faster
For everything else, see our baby travel packing list and our guide to baby travel gear to buy or skip.
Shopping by category
These Amazon searches cover the main types: microwave steam steriliser bags, portable bottle sterilisers, collapsible drying racks and travel bottle brush sets. We haven’t tested these products and don’t rank them. Check the maker’s instructions for each one, including what it can and can’t be used with.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Common mistakes
- Sterilising without cleaning. Both sources put cleaning first. Milk residue left in a teat isn’t fixed by steam.
- Washing straight in a hotel basin. The CDC advises a separate basin for feeding items.
- Drying with the kitchen towel in a rental. The CDC says not to use a dish towel.
- Assuming there’ll be a microwave. Check before you go if your plan depends on one.
- Forgetting the plug. An electric steriliser needs the right adapter and voltage.
- Keeping a half-finished bottle for later. The CDC says to throw away formula or milk not finished within 2 hours.
Final thoughts
<p>Clean first, every time, then sterilise by a method that works where you're staying. The NHS advises sterilising until at least 12 months; the CDC puts most weight on babies under 2 months, born prematurely or with a weakened immune system. Match the method to your accommodation and follow the maker's instructions. If you're unsure what your baby needs, ask your health visitor or doctor.</p>
Frequently asked questions
Until what age do I need to sterilise bottles?
The NHS says until your baby is at least 12 months old. The CDC stresses daily sanitising for babies under 2 months, born prematurely or with a weakened immune system, and says older, healthy babies may not need it daily if items are carefully cleaned. Ask your health visitor or doctor which applies to your baby.
Can I just boil bottles in a holiday rental?
Yes, if your equipment is safe to boil. The NHS says to boil for at least 10 minutes with everything under water, and the CDC says 5 minutes. Check teats regularly, because the NHS says boiling wears them out faster.
Does a dishwasher sterilise bottles?
The NHS says no. The CDC says a dishwasher with a sanitising setting means you don't need a separate sanitising step. See the dishwasher section above.
Is a portable steriliser worth it for a short trip?
It depends on your baby's age and health, and on what your accommodation has. Use the decision table above. If you'll have a hob, boiling may be all you need.
Can I take sterilising tablets in hand luggage?
We couldn't confirm a specific rule. Check with your airline and departure airport, and pack them in their original packaging.
