How to Sanitize Squeeze Bottles

Squeeze bottles are a common kitchen tool in restaurants and bars. They are great for purchasing sauce in bulk, storing sauces and creating clean cocktails but they can easily carry germs. Public Kitchen Supply has investigated several ways to sanitize squeeze bottles, preventing the spread of food-borne bacteria. When cleaning plastic squeeze bottles it’s important to know the type of plastic it is made of. Most plastics are sensitive to heat and strong cleaning agents, making it important to examine the cleaning products being used and the plastic's heat sensitivity.
Washing plastic with anti-bacterial dish soap and water will kill surface bacteria instantly but may not sanitize plastic completely. To insure a deeper clean, soak plastic squeeze bottles, like the Update International® 12 oz. Red Squeeze Bottle, in bleach-water. The cleaning solution should be made of between 5 to 10 percent bleach. Bleach does not take a long time to disinfect, so this is a quick and simple process. After the bottles have sat in the bleach solution rinse them with distilled water. It’s important to note that most plastics have non-wetting surfaces that resist attack and clean easily. Do not use strong alkaline cleaning agents or scouring pads on any plastic, this will dramatically decrease the life of your squeeze bottle.
Another great sterilization method is heating plastic. Before proceeding with this method it’s very important to know the type of plastic your squeeze bottle is made of. Squeeze bottles like Tablecraft® - Oil & Vinegar Bottles can be used in the microwave and dishwasher because it’s made out of polypropylene. If your bottles are heat resistant, wet your plastic containers, the interaction between the microwave’s / dishwasher’s heat is what sterilizes your kitchen equipment. Microwave your container on high for two minutes.
Ultraviolet sterilization is a non-heated, safe method often used in laboratories, water treatment, food processing and restaurants. Purchasing a UV lamp for cleaning squeeze bottles may sound like a bizarre purchase but they come in a commercial size. UV lamps are one of the safest sanitation techniques because it does not contain harmful chemicals or high heat.
Squeeze bottles are a necessary tool for most food establishments but they quickly pass through staff and customers hands coating the exterior in germs. Public Kitchen Supply highly recommends using one of three sanitation methods discussed above to keep your restaurant clean and customers happy.