Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Short answer: take the pump kit apart after every use, wash each part that touches the breast or milk with liquid dish soap and warm water, rinse, and let everything air-dry completely before storing it. Sanitizing is an additional step beyond washing, and it follows the manufacturer’s instructions. This guide is for pump users, clinic and lactation-program staff and buyers who need one reference for handling pump parts according to FDA and CDC guidance and the pump’s instructions for use (IFU).
What breast pump parts are and which ones need cleaning
A breast pump kit is a set of removable parts attached to a motor unit. Per CDC, the parts that come into contact with the breast or breast milk are the ones to clean after each use; this guide calls them milk-contact parts (for example the flange or shield, valves, membranes and collection containers, though the exact parts vary by model, so check the pump’s IFU). Tubing, the motor unit and any wash basin or brush are handled differently, as the table below shows. For the wider product category, see what a medical device is.
Part-by-part handling
| Part | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Milk-contact parts | Clean after each use with liquid dishwashing soap and warm water; follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method in the instruction manual. CDC: clean as soon as possible after pumping; rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue. | FDA; CDC |
| Tubing | FDA: cleaning is not necessary unless the tubing contacts breast milk; if washed, hang it to air-dry before attaching. CDC: tubing used correctly does not touch milk; if milk or mold gets inside, throw it away immediately because it is difficult to clean properly. | FDA; CDC |
| Motor (electrical) unit | FDA: wipe down with a clean paper towel or soft cloth after each use; never put the electrical unit in water or other liquids. CDC: wipe a soiled exterior with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe. | FDA; CDC |
| Wash basin and bottle brush | CDC: rinse and air-dry after each use; clean every few days, in a dishwasher with hot water and heated drying if dishwasher-safe, or by hand with soap and warm water. | CDC |
| Shared pump controls | CDC: wipe dials, switch and countertop with a disinfectant wipe. | CDC |
How to wash breast pump parts
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (CDC).
- Take the kit apart and separate every part that contacts the breast or milk (CDC).
- Rinse the parts under running water, then wash with dishwashing soap and warm water. CDC says not to use antibacterial soap.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue (CDC).
- For hard-to-reach areas, use a small brush only if the manufacturer allows it. Otherwise CDC suggests placing small parts in a closed-top basket on the dishwasher’s top rack, or boiling the disassembled parts for 5 minutes.
Clean, sanitize and sterilize: what each term means in the sources
| Term | Method the source names | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wash / clean | Liquid dishwashing soap and warm water after each use | FDA; CDC |
| Sanitize | Done after cleaning, at least once daily per CDC; options are microwave or plug-in steam per the manufacturer’s directions, boiling disassembled boil-safe parts covered for 5 minutes and lifting them out with clean tongs, or a dishwasher sanitize setting (or hot water with a heated drying cycle) | CDC |
| Sterilize | FDA states that complete sterilization of breast pump parts is not possible at home, even by boiling, and that thorough washing with soap and warm water is the recommended cleaning method | FDA |
Because the two agencies word this differently, the pump’s IFU decides which sanitizing method is permitted for each part. CDC also says to check the manufacturer’s instructions before steaming or boiling, and to clean parts before sanitizing them. For how professional facilities treat the same terms for reusable instruments, see high-level disinfection and the Spaulding classification and what an autoclave is; those are different processes from home pump care.
Drying and storing breast pump parts
Per CDC, air-dry parts on a clean, unused towel or paper towel away from dust. Do not rub or pat them dry with a dish towel, which can transfer germs. Dry parts, brushes and basins completely before storing them, because storing them damp can lead to germs and mold. Store them in a clean, protected spot, for example an unused sealable food storage bag. Keeping a spare tubing set on hand is also a CDC suggestion.
When to replace breast pump parts
The FDA cleaning page does not address replacement, and the CDC page gives no fixed replacement interval for pump parts, so the schedule in the pump’s IFU applies. CDC does name replacement triggers:
- Tubing with mold: discard and replace immediately (CDC).
- Tubing with milk inside: throw it away, then check for valve or membrane wear or incorrect attachment (CDC).
- Parts that cannot be sanitized: inspect regularly for cracks, chips and wear, and replace when needed (CDC).
Common mistakes
- Using antibacterial soap (CDC advises against it).
- Drying parts with a dish towel instead of air-drying (CDC).
- Storing parts while still damp (CDC).
- Washing tubing that has not touched milk when no cleaning is needed (FDA), or trying to clean tubing that has milk or mold inside (CDC says discard it).
- Putting the motor unit in water (FDA).
- Boiling or steaming a part without checking that the manufacturer allows it (CDC).
Before general surface wipes are used on shared pump controls, see surface disinfectant selection and contact time, and for hand cleaning before handling parts see the WHO 5 moments for hand hygiene.
FAQ
How often should breast pump parts be cleaned?
After each use for milk-contact parts, according to FDA and CDC. CDC adds that sanitizing should happen at least once daily.
How do you sanitize breast pump parts?
After washing, CDC lists microwave or plug-in steam bags per the manufacturer’s directions, boiling disassembled boil-safe parts for 5 minutes, or a dishwasher sanitize setting. Check the IFU first.
Can you sterilize breast pump parts at home?
FDA states it is not possible to completely sterilize breast pump parts at home, even if you boil them, and recommends thorough washing with liquid dishwashing soap and warm water.
Where should clean breast pump parts be stored?
Only once fully dry, in a clean protected place such as an unused sealable food storage bag (CDC).
What is the replacement schedule for breast pump parts?
Follow the schedule in the pump’s IFU. CDC gives no fixed interval; it says to replace moldy tubing immediately and to inspect parts that cannot be sanitized for cracks, chips and wear.
Does tubing need washing?
Not unless it contacts milk (FDA). If it holds milk or mold, CDC says to discard it.
Sources
- CDC, How to Clean and Sanitize Breast Pumps, page dated September 12, 2024; checked October 30, 2026.
- FDA, Cleaning a Breast Pump, last updated April 25, 2022; checked October 30, 2026.
