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Can I dry baby bottles after sterilisation?
This is not recommended. Any water left inside the bottles after the sterilisation process is sterile and will not collect germs. You should not wipe the inside of the bottles after sterilisation as this will add germs to the inside of the bottle.
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Where can I buy descaler?
Any brand of white vinegar can be used with this product however if you'd prefer to purchase a specific compatible descaler, we recommend using one which is specifically designed for electric steam sterilisers, and one which comes with clear instructions to support you.
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Any tips for using your microwave steriliser?
Sure! An important thing to firstly check is that your microwave turntable is clean as food residues can overheat leading to the base of your steriliser melting.
Also, if you have a combination microwave, make sure the grill/overhead heat source is turned off. Otherwise you risk melting the lid of your steriliser.
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Why has the element in the bottom of my steriliser turned brown?
This is an indication for you to descale your unit. We recommend carrying out the descaling process approximately every 4-weeks. If you notice limescale earlier than 4-weeks, descaling may be required sooner. Living in a hard water area can produce limescale quicker than other areas. You can find out your water quality via your water provider.
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How much water should I use in my steriliser?
You should use 200ml in our Closer to Nature Microwave Steriliser and 80ml in our Closer to Nature Electric Steriliser.
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I have sterilised my bottles, why have they got marks on them?
All of our bottles are required to be washed before sterilising as this removes all milk residue prior to sterilising. Simply wash the bottles and accompanying parts if using our advanced comfort range in hot soapy water and rinse before sterilising.
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How often should I descale my steriliser?
We recommend you descale your steriliser every 4 weeks, unless you are in a hard water area in which case you will be required to descale more frequently. You can find your out what your water quality by visting your water providers website.
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Why should I descale my steriliser?
Descaling your Closer to Nature Electric Steam Steriliser will remove the build-up of lime scale which naturally develops over time on and around the heat plate. It's important to note that the long term build-up of lime scale can impact the operation of your unit, causing damage to the heat plate. If you don’t descale the steriliser, the life of the product can be affected.
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How do I reassemble bottle parts after sterilisation?
As long as you wash your hands thoroughly before touching the sterilised items, you should be fine. If in doubt, the teat tongs which are provided with both the electric and microwave sterilisers are perfect for this.
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How do I descale my electric steam steriliser?
There are two easy options for descaling your electric steam steriliser. One being that of using a descaler which is specifically designed for electric steam sterilisers. The other being that of using white vinegar by following the instructions below.
1. Empty the steriliser, wiping down the inside with a sponge or damp cloth.
2. Pour in 1 cup = 250ml of white vinegar.
3. Leave for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24-hours dependant on the extent of the limescale.
4. Pour any remaining liquid down the sink. Rinse the interior of the steriliser well with cool water, using a clean sponge or damp cloth to remove any build-up that came loose as a result of the descaling / cleaning process.
5. Plug your steriliser back in, adding the regular volume of water for a normal cycle. Turn on and run for 5-minutes which will remove any additional build-up.
6. Upon completion, rinse steriliser again and use as directed.
We recommend carrying out the descaling process approximately every 4-weeks. If you notice limescale earlier than 4-weeks, descaling may be required sooner. Living in a hard water area can produce limescale quicker than other areas. You can find out your water quality via your water provider.
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Which bottles fit in the electric and microwave sterilisers?
All Closer to Nature bottles – 150ml and 260ml – fit in the electric and microwave sterilisers.
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Can I lay bottles down in my steriliser?
We recommend that you do not lay bottles down flat whilst using your steriliser as steam needs to get inside, as well as around the bottles. The process wouldn't be as effective if they were lying down. Try angling bottles diagonally if possible.
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Do I need sterilising fluid for the electric steriliser?
We recommend that you don't use sterilising solution as this can damage the heat plate. All you need to do is pour 80ml of water into the base of the unit. The unit then heats the water turning it into steam which then sterilises the products.
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Should I have water left in the bottom of my steriliser after a cycle?
This is fine. It is common to have a small volume of water left in your steriliser after a completed cycle. Simply empty out the remaining water once you've finished.
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What is the best way to remove the lid?
We recommend removing the lid by using the tabs on either side. Tilt the lid so that the underside is facing away from you, allowing any excess steam to rise away, with condensation droplets falling back into the unit. As the lid can be used as a sterile surface, simply then place the lid onto your work surface (underside up) where you can then prepare your bottles.
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Should I have a lot of steam during a cycle?
Excess steam can be caused by over-packing. Ensure that you use the marked areas on the trays for your bottles, and when sterilising other items, please ensure that they're evenly spaced out. Our electric steam steriliser instruction manual will provide you with further guidance on how to pack your unit.