Overview
Are your baby’s feeding bottles getting scratched by your bottle brush? Beware. Those scratches can become places for bacteria and other pathogens to thrive.
Silicone bottle brushes have soft bristles. They’re designed to clean bottles thoroughly. Yet they’re less likely to scratch them.
Yes, they don’t create a lather as bubbly as traditional brushes. However, they might be worth it, considering that:
- They can reduce the risks of bacterial contamination from scratched-up areas
- They can help extend the life of your baby bottles, reducing your overall budget for baby essentials
We’ve handpicked the top 5 silicone bottle brushes for you to choose from.
What are the factors to consider when choosing silicone bottle brushes, and which one should you pick for your home? Are silicone brushes really better than traditional ones?
How do you use these bottle brushes and when do you need to replace them?
Continue reading this review to find out.
Key Features Of The Top 5 Best Silicone Bottle Brushes
As silicone brushes, all the products are soft and won’t scratch baby bottles and other feeding accessories. None have any recalls.
However, they all have complaints about the lack of scrubbing power and that they don’t produce as much suds or lather as traditional brushes.
Here are their key features:
- Dr. Brown’s Soft Touch Bottle Brush – Grooved, non-slip handle and a detachable base that keeps the ridged nipple cleaner; includes a suction base
- Chicco Silicone Bottle Brush – Long, ridged handle with a hole for hanging and storage; no-fuss, simple design
- haakaa Silicone Cleaning Brush Kit – Set of different brushes (for bottles and straws), with a detachable stainless steel handle for the bottle brush; includes loops for storage hooks
- Nuby Soft & Non-Scratch Bottle & Nipple Silicone Bristle Brush With Looped Handle – Soft, flexible neck and a stout, ridge-less handle; includes a built-in nipple brush and a hole for hanging
- ezpz Bottle Brush Cleaner – Non-slip grip handle and a tapered bristle design; includes a suction base
Keep reading for more details about these silicone brushes.
Dr. Brown’s Soft Touch Bottle Brush
Best Features
- Durable design
- Durable but soft bristles
- Ridged nipple cleaner at the brush’s bottom part (with a removable base housing the nipple brush)
- Grooved no-slip handle
- Suction cup base for a more hygienic upright storage
- BPA free (without bisphenol-A, a toxic chemical used in plastic manufacturing)
Other Product Details
- Dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Sterilizer safe
- Works with all Dr. Brown’s baby bottles (narrow and wide neck) and can also be used with most other brands
- Also includes a storage clip
Cons
- Some complaints that it doesn’t clean as well as a traditional brush
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“This new brush from Dr. Brown’s has an efficient design with durable and soft bristles to be able to clean bottles without scratches. Has a handle for easy grip and something very important is that it is a product without BPA.” – Reviewer on Dr. Brown’s website
Negative Customer Reviews
“Doesn’t perfectly clean because it is rubber. Wand with sponge is way better, especially for cleaning fat residue.” – Reviewer on Amazon
Chicco Silicone Bottle Brush
Best Features
- Food-grade silicone bristles
- Long handle that makes it suitable even for tall or large baby bottles
- Non-slip handle that has a comfortable grip
- Hole in the handle which can be used for hanging for storage and to help the brush dry quickly
- Designed for baby bottles, sippy cups, and other baby feeding accessories
- BPA-free
- Ideal for all types of bottles made of different materials (e.g., plastic, glass, stainless steel, etc.)
- Hygienic and odorless material
Other Product Details
- Dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Sterilizer safe
- Can also be used for plastic, stainless steel, or glass water bottles (e.g., Hydro Flask or glassware)
Cons
- Some complaints that the brush head is smaller than expected and the bristles are too stiff
- Doesn’t create as much suds as a traditional baby bottle brush
- The ridged handle might be uncomfortable to grip.
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“The silicone bristles are gentle yet effective in removing residue and buildup. They do not scratch or damage the bottles, ensuring they remain in excellent condition for my baby’s use.” – Reviewer on Amazon
Negative Customer Reviews
“The bristles are so stiff it’s useless.” – Reviewer on Amazon
haakaa Silicone Cleaning Brush Kit
Best Features
- Bottle brush set with three different gadgets for varied uses
- Includes a silicone bottle cleaning brush and two different tube or straw brushes (ideal for colostrum collectors, reusable straws, or similar items)
- The bottle scrubber also includes a nipple brush on the other end,
- With holes and hooks designed to hang the brushes for drying and storing when not in use
- Detachable brush heads for easy cleaning and swapping
- Angled brush tip for a more thorough cleaning of spots that are hard to reach
Other Product Details
- Can be used for wide or narrow neck bottles
- Also ideal for cleaning reusable breast milk storage bags, breast pump accessories (including wearable breast pumps), teethers, silicone bottle nipples, and similar items
- Longer lasting stainless steel handle (compared to products that also have a silicone or plastic handle)
Cons
- The stainless steel handle makes it unsuitable, even unsafe, for use with a microwave bottle sterilizer. Thankfully, the brush heads are removable but the extra steps you take to remove them from the handle for cleaning can be a hassle. Note that the brand also recommends removing the stainless steel parts for cleaning and sanitizing.
- More parts to clean than the brush designs from other brands
- Costs more than the other brushes because it’s sold as a set; the brush is also sold separately (without the straw brushes), but it still costs more than the brushes from the other brands
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“While some of the silicone bristles have torn off the brush, it’s still the best brush I’ve used. It makes it very quick and easy to clean my baby bottles and I love that it’s not plasticS.” – Reviewer on Amazon
Negative Customer Reviews
“I’m not really a fan of how stiff the bristles are & the lack of suds when cleaning glass & plastic bottles.” – Reviewer on Amazon
How Do You Clean A Haakaa Bottle Brush?
- Detach the brush heads from the handle.
- Wash each part separately.
- Boil the brush heads in water for 2-3 minutes to sterilize. You can also place them in the steam sterilizer. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Don’t boil stainless steel parts.
Nuby Soft & Non-Scratch Bottle & Nipple Silicone Bristle Brush With Looped Handle
Best Features
- Soft, flexible neck to reach the nooks and crannies of your baby bottles
- Durable yet soft bristles
- Includes a built-in nipple brush
- Stout, solid handle (without ridges, unlike the design of some competitor brands) for an easy, comfortable grip
- BPA-free
Other Product Details
- Looped handle for hanging when not in use and for drying
Cons
- Some complaints that the product is too flimsy and doesn’t clean as well as traditional bottle brushes
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“I can’t stand how traditional sponges smell so I love that this is silicone. It can be sterilized and lasts forever. The first one was used for over a year without damage or smell.” – Reviewer on Amazon
Negative Customer Reviews
“This is Nothing but a koosh toy on a stick. It doesn’t work any better than filling the bottle with hot water and shaking it.” – Reviewer on Amazon
ezpz Bottle Brush Cleaner
Best Features
- Soft yet sturdy bristles
- Long and sturdy handle that lets you clean baby bottles and sippy cups
- Can also be used for travel mugs, tumblers, thermos bottles, decanters, cooking materials, kitchen accessories, and similar items (but make sure to get a separate brush for these items; the brush for baby essentials mustn’t be used for washing other items)
- Bendable but durable silicone that lets you reach nooks and crannies
- Free from BPA, BPS (bisphenol-S), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), latex, and phthalates
Other Product Details
- Suction base that lets you store and dry the brush upright
- The handle doesn’t corrode, fade, or smell.
- The handle is also designed for a non-slip grip.
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Some complaints about its lack of scrubbing power
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“Functional, cute, convenient with suction that works, and MOST importantly, no mold or mildew buildup!” – Reviewer on Amazon
Negative Customer Reviews
“It does not scrub anything. It has no scrubbing power.” – Reviewer on Amazon
Summary & Recommendations
Which silicone bottle brush should you get? Well, it depends on your needs and style preference:
Choose Dr. Brown’s Soft Touch Bottle Brush if:
- You want a brush with a grooved, non-slip handle and aa suction base
- You prefer one with a detachable base and a separate nipple cleaner
Choose Chicco Silicone Bottle Brush if:
- You want a long, ridged handle with a hole for hanging and storage
- You prefer a no-fuss, simple design
Choose haakaa Silicone Cleaning Brush Kit if:
- You prefer a set of different brushes (for bottles and straws)
- You want a stury but detachable stainless steel handle
- You prefer brushes with loops for storage hooks
Choose Nuby Soft & Non-Scratch Bottle & Nipple Silicone Bristle Brush With Looped Handle if:
- You prefer one with a soft, flexible neck and a stout, ridge-less handle
- You want one with a built-in nipple brush and a hole for hanging
Choose ezpz Bottle Brush Cleaner if:
- You prefer a brush with a non-slip grip handle and a tapered bristle design
- You want one with a suction base
FAQs
Are Silicone Brushes Better For Bottles?
In some ways, they are better and in others, they’re worse. That’s because silicone brushes are soft and won’t scratch your baby’s bottles.
However, many parents complain that they don’t have scrubbing power, aren’t ideal for removing stubborn or dried-up formula and milk, and don’t create much suds.
How Do You Use A Silicone Bottle Brush?
They can be used similarly to a regular or traditional bottle brush in washing baby bottles and other feeding accessories.
How Often Should You Replace Silicone Bottle Brushes?
Ideally, you should replace bottle brushes whenever you change your baby’s bottles. However, you should check the manufacturer’s recommendations because the brushes might need to be replaced as often as once a month or after 6+ months.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Bottle Brush
- Durability
- Material
- Safety
- Type material for the bristle heads (e.g., silicone vs. traditional plastic bristles)
- Extra features (e.g., free delivery options, ease of checkout, qty per pack, etc.)
Bonus: Non-Silicone Brushes & Cleaning Tools To Consider
- OXO Tot Bottle Brush plus Nipple Cleaner & Stand
- Munchkin Shine Stainless Steel Bottle Brush
- Boon Cacti Bottle Cleaning Brush Set
Recent Baby Product Recalls & Safety Warnings
Stay informed with the latest news by signing up for our regular Motherhood Community recall alerts so you never miss an important recall.
Check these comprehensive lists of product recalls by category:
- Crib recalls (up to 2023)
- Stroller recalls (2020 to 2023)
- Recalled toys list (2020 to 2023)
- Baby formula recall (2001 to 2023)
- Baby food recall (2015 to 2023)
- Pacifier recall (2019 to 2022)
- Baby wipes recall (2014 to 2022)
