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How to Sterilize Everyday Items in 90 Seconds!

My friend Renee is a genius. Well let me back up… My friend Renee recently had her 3rd baby and discovered the microwavable sterilizer bags. While I was visiting her last month she pulled one out and was so excited about her new discovery but then she ended up being mad at me that I’d known about them for all these years and never told her. (Oops!)

I thought everyone knew about the microwavable sterilizer bags! They are so handy and make a new moms life so much easier! If you don’t know about them, I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner. And if you didn’t know about them then you’re probably wondering why they are so great, well let me tell you, it’s a quick and easy way to sterilize bottles, nipples, pacifiers and breast pump accessories. No more boiling a huge pot of water on the stove to sterilize all your baby stuff, just toss them in the bag, put it in the microwave and BAM, 90 seconds later they’re all clean!

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

But here’s why my friend Renee is a genius. We were sitting there talking about how great the bags are when she said, “I bet you could use them for other stuff too.” Yep, mind blown. Why had I never thought about that before! I stopped buying them when Malea grew out of bottles but I should have kept buying them for myself!

Have you ever thought about how gross toe nail clippers are? You use them, your husband uses them, your kids use them but no one ever washes them… ew.

Have you thought about how gross your cell phone case is?

Your toothbrush after being sick?

Have you ever thought about cleaning your bobby pins? You stick them in your mouth to open them, wear them in your hair all day long and repeat the process over and over again without ever washing them… gross!

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

These are all things that are extremely gross and should be cleaned but honestly who even knows how to clean toe nail clipper or bobby pins!? That’s where the microwavable sterilizer bags come in, and that my friends, is why Renee is a genius.

Get out the microwavable sterilizer bags and fill it with no less than 2 ounces of water.

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

Next add your items to the bag and seal it up.

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

Place it in the microwave for 90 seconds.

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

When it’s finished remove it from the microwave and pour the hot water into the sink. Be careful so you don’t get burned by the steam.

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

Once all the hot water is out open the bag and lay the contents out on a towel to dry.

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

And just like that now all those super duper gross items are clean and sanitized! Seriously why did I not think of this before!?

Here’s a whole list of everyday items we came up with that you could use the microwavable sterilizer bags for on a regular basis –

  • Pacifiers
  • Sippy cup lids
  • Water bottle lids and straws (for grown ups and/or kids)
  • Cell phone cases
  • Toothbrushes after being sick (I recommend just buying a new one but if you can’t afford that this is a great alternative)
  • Contact lens cases
  • Sponges
  • Dishes scrub brush
  • Tweezers
  • Nail clippers
  • Bobby pins
  • Eye lash curler

And I’m sure there’s 100 other things you could use it for!

Okay, be honest, has your mind been blown, like mine was? I seriously can’t believe I’d never thought of this before! Leave me your ideas in the comments below I would really love to hear your ideas because I’m sure I’m missing some pretty obvious stuff and I’d love to get it clean. 🙂

Note – I know it’s not good to put certain types of metal in the microwave but all of the items pictured below were just fine when I ran them through in the bag. Make sure you stay close to the microwave until you know your items are okay too. If you are not comfortable putting some items in the microwave then use this alternative method – Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Place items in the microwavable sterilizer bag then pour the boiling water in over them. Seal the bag and set a timer for 90 seconds.

How to sterilize everyday items in 90 seconds - Ask Anna

 

Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post but if you purchase through them you will not pay a cent more than you would otherwise. Thank you for supporting Ask Anna!

Cleaning// General// Green Cleaning// Kids

About Anna

"Hi, I'm Anna! Wife, mother, child of God, and the founder of Ask Anna. I have always enjoyed cleaning, organizing, decorating and helping people, so I've put that all together on the pages of this blog. I truly hope my tips help you in your home and make sure to contact me if you have a question!"

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Comments

  1. Carol says

    May 22, 2015 at 7:21 am

    I am a grandmother of teenagers so I never heard of these wonderful bags. I am wondering, though, how you can put metal items in the microwave.

    • Anna says

      May 22, 2015 at 7:56 am

      I did it and it worked just fine. 🙂 I added an alternative idea at the end of the post if you aren’t comfortable using the microwave though.

  2. Rebecca Musser says

    May 22, 2015 at 7:26 am

    My babies are now in their 20’s, but this sounds like an awesome idea as you’ve described above for personal items. My first thought though was that metal items shouldn’t ever go in the microwave. (I’ve killed microwaves with metal bread ties!) Does this bag allow me to put metal clippers in the microwave?

    • Anna says

      May 22, 2015 at 7:56 am

      I did it and it worked just fine. 🙂 I added an alternative idea at the end of the post if you aren’t comfortable using the microwave though.

  3. Sue Sue says

    June 6, 2015 at 7:57 am

    How about the keys of course only the old fashioned ones not the car keys)? I am beginning to wonder how many germs they lug around!!! Oh and does it not harm the microwave when you put metal parts inside of it? Thanks for all the great info. I am so grateful that “swagbucking” my question of “how to clean my DC23?” connected me to you. <3

    Sue Sue

    • Anna says

      June 9, 2015 at 9:11 am

      I haven’t had any problem when putting the metal in the bag but make sure you stay close to the microwave, just in case. 🙂

  4. marge parks says

    July 15, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    I recently read an article about the dishwasher being used for cleaning and disinfecting many household items besides dishes. Think of vent fan filters, refrigerator racks, combs, nail clippers, toothbrushes, makeup brushes……..practically anything washable that would fit and is dishwasher safe!
    No worries then about harming your microwave with metal.

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