Steriliser has packed up please help.

[mmmmmchocolate]

I think it needs descaling. I meant to buy some citric acid last time I was out, asked at the chemist and she looked at me like I'd asked to buy a child and said no...
I don't have white vinegar, will normal do?
Or anything else for that matter? I'm stuck in the house with a poorly baby :(

For the time being you can sterilise bottles in a saucepan of boiling water. About 5 mins should do it.

get milton fluid if possible, and follow the instructions, or milton tablets. if not, then boiling the bottles,teats and rings etc for a good 5 miuntes should be fine

some people argue it is not necessary, if you wash in hot soapy water and air dry or dishwasher them

How old is baby and do you have a dishwasher?

I used a cold water steriliser with first baby; one milton tablet and job done. With baby number 2 I just threw everything in the dishwaster and didn't sterilise a thing.

There is a really good argument to suggest it just isn't necessary to sterilise. But if you like to sterilise for now a dishwasher or boiling in a saucepan. Hot soapy water is enough really.

Where are you - I have one sitting in a cupboard which I could test if it still works but I couldn't post till Tuesday now?

Oh bless you pottering penguin but DP is off tomorrow so we could get one then, but thank you for the offer!
She's 6 1/2 months, I stopped sterilising with DD1 at about this age. Her steriliser blew the electric out in the house and I never bothered replacing it. (I'm obviously not good with sterilisers....) I think I'll boil them for now until I can sort it out. My dishwasher is DP and he's at work....
It was a leaving gift from work so I don't even have a reciept to return it, it's only been used for about 5 months tops!

think you need a trip to boots

Are you sure? I would be happy to rehome it if it does still work. I think I am now reconciled to no more (I have 4!). Hope dd gets better soon.

You don't need to sterilize after 6 months, especially if they are weaning.

I just used to soak the bottles in boiling hot water from the kettle and then wash as normal.

Ordinary vinegar or lemon juice will do too.

If it's any consolation the chemist was funny about citric acid because heroin addicts use it. But they're usually fine when you explain it's for cleaning a steraliser/making home made fizzy drinks etc.

Don't use ordinary malt vinegar. The smell will be horrendous and will permeate the bottles which could put your dc off.

Agree with suggestions of Milton tablets. We always have a stash for holidays etc or just not steralising.

I used lemon juice once before I realised what the little packets in the sterilising kit were for . it was fine. I've now run out of little packets so will return to lemon juice for the last 3 months of f**king milk feeding before freedom!
Disclaimer - dd is rubbish at milk for anything. I'm not just a miserable old cow.

I just wouldn't bother if your child is 6 and half months. Just give things a good wash and air dry, use dishwasher preferably.

Pottering penguin, did you use it for all four? How come I manage to get through them so quickly!! Thank you for your very kind offer but as others have pointed out there is no need to use it now. DD1 has never had a stomach bug or even been sick (not including 6 months of reflux) and she's 3 1/2 now so maybe it's a good thing to stop! Pass it on to someone with a newborn :) I did hope to pass mine on too so I will try to fix it.
I never realised about heroin addicts using citric acid, bit of a wake up call for me. Must start brushing/straightening hair and putting make up on before school run

go into any hardware store, or supermarket and ask/look for kettle descaler which would work or boots do one for sterilisers.

DH melted ours (microwave one) by leaving grill setting on - I was away on 2 day work trip, got home to find he'd bought the same one from ebay for £1!!! He was sad it didn't arrive before I got back. And sadder when I told him that as DS2 nearly 8 months old (and last child) no need to sterlise anymore!