How to Clean and Store Breast Pump Parts Safely
By Healthy Horizons Breastfeeding Centers, Inc. | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Tipps & Pflege
A step-by-step routine for washing, sanitizing, and storing pump parts so they last longer and stay hygienic, plus how to care for tubing and spare parts.
Quick answer
Rinse every part that touches milk in cool water right after pumping, wash with warm soapy water, and sanitize once daily if your baby is under 3 months or has health concerns. Let parts air-dry completely on a clean towel before storing them in a covered container. Replace worn or cloudy parts on schedule, and keep tubing dry by never washing its interior.
Why a consistent cleaning routine protects your pump and your baby
Milk residue left on shields, valves, and bottles becomes a biofilm that is hard to remove and can affect pump suction. A simple daily rhythm of rinse, wash, sanitize, and dry keeps parts working and reduces the chance of contamination. It also helps you notice cracks, cloudiness, or stretched valves early, so you replace breast pump spare parts before they fail mid-pump.
What you need before you start
Set up a dedicated basin or bowl that is not used for food, a bottle brush with a nipple tip, fragrance-free dish soap, and a drying rack or clean towel. If you sanitize by boiling, keep a pot reserved for pump parts. Never use a sponge that has touched raw meat or a sink used for thawing food.
How to handle tubing and adapters
Tubing should never be washed inside. If you see condensation, run the pump for a few minutes with the tubing attached and the collection kit removed to push air through and dry it. If milk ever enters the tubing, replace it rather than trying to scrub it. Adapters that connect tubing to the pump body can be wiped with a damp cloth and air-dried; check that they are fully dry before reattaching.
How to store parts between pumping sessions
After parts are completely dry, place them in a clean, covered container or a zip-top bag that is used only for pump parts. If you pump multiple times at work, you can refrigerate the assembled kit between sessions and wash it once at the end of the day, but do not leave milk-coated parts at room temperature for more than a few hours. Storing wet parts in a closed bag encourages mold, so air-dry first.
Your step-by-step cleaning and storage routine
- 1. Rinse immediately after pumping: Separate all parts that touched milk and rinse them in cool water within 30 minutes. Cool water keeps milk proteins from setting on the plastic. Do not let parts sit in the sink. Checkpoint: if you cannot wash right away, refrigerate the rinsed parts in a covered container for up to 24 hours.
- 2. Wash with warm soapy water: Use a dedicated basin, warm water, and a small amount of fragrance-free dish soap. Scrub shields, valves, membranes, and bottle threads with a bottle brush. Push soapy water through the valve openings, then rinse everything under running water. Common mistake: soaking parts in soapy water for hours, which can weaken silicone valves and leave residue.
- 3. Sanitize once every 24 hours: Boil parts for 5 minutes, steam them in a microwave bag, or use a countertop steam sanitizer. Follow the pump manufacturer's instructions for which parts are safe to sanitize. Silicone membranes and valves can warp if boiled too long. Checkpoint: sanitize more often if your baby was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system.
- 4. Air-dry completely on a clean surface: Shake off excess water and lay parts on a clean towel or drying rack with openings facing up. Do not dry with a cloth, which can transfer lint and bacteria. Allow at least 2 hours or until no moisture remains in crevices. Common mistake: assembling a wet pump, which traps moisture and encourages mold in valves and tubing adapters.
- 5. Store dry parts in a clean, covered container: Once fully dry, place parts in a dedicated covered bin, a large zip-top bag, or the pump's carrying bag. Keep the container in a cool, dry place. If you pump at work, label the bag so it is not used for anything else. Checkpoint: if you see cloudiness, cracks, or a persistent smell, replace those parts before the next use.
- 6. Inspect and replace worn parts on schedule: Check valves, membranes, and tubing adapters weekly for tears, stretching, or loose fit. Most silicone parts need replacing every 2 to 3 months with daily use, or sooner if suction drops. Keep spare breast pump spare parts on hand so you are never caught mid-session. Next step: write the date you started using each part on a piece of tape on the container so you know when to swap it.
Parts that make cleaning and storage easier
- Ameda Tubing Adapter (2): Tubing adapters connect tubing to the electric breast pump body and are compatible with all Ameda breast pumps and HygieniKit Milk Collection Systems, including the Ameda Platinum hospital grade pump. They are BPA free and DEHP free, and come two per pack. Keeping a spare set means you can replace an adapter the moment it looks worn or does not seal well, instead of skipping a pumping session.
- Elvie Pump Bra Adjusters 4 Pack: Elvie Pump Bra Adjusters are custom-designed clips that create extra room in a nursing bra for the Elvie Pump. They are compatible with any quick-release clip nursing bra and are dishwasher safe. The pack includes four adjusters. A better bra fit reduces shifting during pumping, which means less milk spilling onto parts and less frequent deep cleaning of shields and bottles.
- Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump with Carry Bag & Accessories: The Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump is a compact double pump with a built-in rechargeable battery for up to 6 hours, 2-Phase Expression technology, and PersonalFit Flex breast shields in two sizes. It supports double pumping for up to 18% more milk in less time. A pump with a closed system and fewer exposed parts is easier to keep clean, and the included carrying bag gives you a dedicated place to store dry parts between sessions.
