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DIY Cleaning Methods for Pacifiers

Reviewed by Zac Kieffer

Updated: September 15, 2025

Discover easy DIY cleaning methods for pacifiers. Keep your baby’s pacifiers safe and germ-free with these simple, effective cleaning tips and tricks.

DIY Cleaning Methods for Pacifiers

Boiling Water

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully place pacifiers into the boiling water for 5 minutes to sterilize. Remove with tongs and let air dry on a clean towel. This simple method kills germs and keeps pacifiers safe for your baby.

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How to Clean Pacifiers with Boiling Water

Start with a clean pot: Grab a pot that’s big enough to let the pacifiers float around without crowding. Fill it with enough water to fully submerge the pacifiers.

Bring water to a rolling boil: That means big, steady bubbles—not just a few little ones. You want the water hot enough to do the job.

Drop in the pacifiers: Use tongs to lower the pacifiers into the boiling water. This keeps your hands out of the splash zone and helps avoid burns.

Let them boil for about 5 minutes: This is usually enough time for a thorough clean. Make sure the pacifiers stay under the water the whole time—if they float, give them a gentle nudge with the tongs.

Remove and cool: Use tongs to take the pacifiers out and place them on a clean towel or drying rack. Let them cool completely before handing them back to your little one. Hot pacifiers are nobody’s friend.

Inspect before use: After they’re cool, check for any signs of damage—like cracks or changes in shape. If you spot anything off, it’s time to swap in a new pacifier.

Store properly: Once dry, keep pacifiers in a clean, dry container until you need them again. This helps keep them from picking up dust or debris.

Incomplete Germ Removal

Boiling water may not remove all germs if the pacifier isn’t fully submerged, boiled long enough, or if water doesn’t reach all surfaces, leaving some bacteria or viruses behind and increasing the risk of infection for your baby.

Vinegar and Water Solution

Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a clean bowl. Soak pacifiers in the solution for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. This natural method helps disinfect and remove residue safely.

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How to Clean Pacifiers with a Vinegar and Water Solution

What You’ll Need:

White distilled vinegar (the plain, cheap kind is perfect)
Clean water (tap is fine, filtered if you prefer)
A clean bowl or container large enough to submerge the pacifiers
A clean towel or drying rack

Mixing Your Solution

Combine one part white vinegar with two parts water in your bowl or container. For example, use 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups water. This ratio is strong enough for cleaning, but not so strong that it’ll leave a lingering smell.
Give the solution a quick stir to mix it up.

Cleaning Process

Drop the pacifiers into the vinegar and water solution, making sure they’re fully submerged. If they float, gently press them down with a clean spoon.
Let them soak for about 5-10 minutes. This gives the solution time to work on any buildup or residue.
After soaking, remove the pacifiers and rinse them thoroughly under running water. This step is important—vinegar has a strong taste and smell, and you don’t want that lingering on something that goes in a baby’s mouth.
Place the rinsed pacifiers on a clean towel or drying rack and let them air dry completely before use. Make sure they’re totally dry to avoid any musty smells or moisture buildup.

Extra Tips from the Field

If you notice any stubborn spots or cloudy residue, you can gently scrub the pacifier with a clean brush or your fingers while it’s in the solution.
Always check pacifiers for cracks or damage before and after cleaning. If you spot any, it’s time to toss them—no cleaning method can fix a broken pacifier.
For silicone pacifiers, this method works well. If you’re dealing with latex or specialty materials, double-check the manufacturer’s care instructions first.

What “Cleaning” Means Here

This method is for cleaning—removing visible dirt, milk residue, or gunk. It’s not the same as sanitizing or disinfecting, which are different processes and require different products or methods.

Residual Chemical Taste

Using a vinegar and water solution to clean pacifiers can leave a residual chemical taste, which may be unpleasant or off-putting for babies and could discourage them from using the pacifier.

Baking Soda and Water Paste

Mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the pacifier and gently scrub with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove any residue. This natural method helps remove stains and neutralize odors safely.

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How to Clean Pacifiers with a Baking Soda and Water Paste

Mix up your paste: Combine about 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick, spreadable paste. You want it to stick, not drip. If you’re new to this, “paste” means it should look a bit like toothpaste—thick, but not dry or crumbly.

Apply the paste: Use clean hands to spread the paste over the pacifier, focusing on any visible buildup or cloudy spots. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies—especially around the shield and nipple base where gunk likes to hide.

Let it sit briefly: Give the paste a minute or two to do its thing. This helps loosen up any stuck-on residue. No need to let it dry out completely; a short wait is enough.

Scrub gently: Use a soft brush (like a baby bottle brush or a clean toothbrush) to gently scrub the pacifier. Pay extra attention to textured areas and seams. “Gently” is key here—no need to go full Hulk on it.

Rinse thoroughly: Hold the pacifier under running water and rinse away all traces of baking soda. Make sure there’s no paste left in any crevices. Baking soda is gritty, so you don’t want any lingering on the surface.

Dry completely: Set the pacifier on a clean towel or drying rack. Let it air dry fully before giving it back to your little one. Moisture can hang out in hidden spots, so don’t rush this step.

Inspect before use: Give the pacifier a once-over to make sure it’s clean and free of any leftover paste. If you spot any residue, rinse again.

Limited Deep Cleaning

Using a baking soda and water paste for cleaning pacifiers provides only limited deep cleaning, as it may not effectively remove all bacteria or residues, potentially leaving harmful germs behind and compromising your baby’s safety.

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a clean bowl. Soak pacifiers in the solution for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. This method helps disinfect and remove germs naturally.

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Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Soak for Pacifiers: A Practical Guide

Gather your supplies: You’ll need 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind you find in most drugstores), clean water, a clean bowl or container, and your pacifiers. Make sure the container is large enough for the pacifiers to be fully submerged.

Mix your solution: Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in your container. For example, if you use one cup of hydrogen peroxide, add one cup of water. This dilution helps reduce the strength of the hydrogen peroxide while still providing a thorough clean.

Soak the pacifiers: Place the pacifiers in the solution, making sure they’re completely covered. Let them soak for about 15–20 minutes. This gives the solution time to work on any visible residue or buildup.

Rinse thoroughly: After soaking, remove the pacifiers and rinse them under running water for at least 30 seconds. This step is important to help remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide from the surface.

Air dry: Place the pacifiers on a clean towel or drying rack and let them air dry completely before use. Avoid using a cloth to dry them, as lint can stick to the silicone or rubber.

Inspect before use: Always check pacifiers for any cracks, tears, or changes in texture after cleaning. If you notice any damage, it’s best to replace the pacifier.

What is hydrogen peroxide? It’s a common household liquid that looks like water but has an extra oxygen molecule. It’s often used for cleaning and stain removal. When diluted, it can help break down residue on surfaces.

Why dilute it? Full-strength hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on some materials. Diluting it with water helps make it more suitable for items like pacifiers, which are made from silicone or rubber.

Important note: This method is for routine cleaning. Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your specific pacifier brand, as some materials may react differently to hydrogen peroxide. If in doubt, check the packaging or the company’s website for guidance.

Inconsistent Sterilization Results

This method may not reliably kill all germs, as hydrogen peroxide and water soaks can result in uneven sterilization, leaving some bacteria or viruses on pacifiers and increasing the risk of infection for babies.

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