How to Sterilize Syringes

Bulb syringes are used on newborns to keep mucous out of their noses and mouths. Adults can also use a bulb syringe if they begin to suffer from an allergy or cold. The important thing to remember is that syringes can easily spread germs. They must be sterilized and properly cleansed between each use. In fact, the website Allergy Consultants, P.A. recommends that each person in the family have his own bulb syringe to keep germs to a minimum.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Water
• Pot
• Rubbing alcohol
• Small bowl

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Instructions

• 1

  Add a drop of dish soap to two cups of hot water. Squeeze the syringe and let go so that it draws the soapy water up inside of the bulb syringe. Squeeze the bulb syringe again to release the hot soapy water. Repeat a few times and rinse with clean water. Do this as soon as you finish using the bulb syringe.

• 2

  Bring a pot of water to a boil. Squeeze some of the water up in to the syringe and then set it in the pot. According to Battle Creek Health System, you should let the bulb syringe remain in the boiling water for three to five minutes to completely sterilize it.

• 3

  Pour some rubbing alcohol in a bowl and suck some of the alcohol up in to the bulb syringe after it has finished boiling. Shake the syringe to get the alcohol to swish around the inside of the syringe and then release the alcohol. This last measure ensures that your syringe is completely disinfected.

• 4

  Set your bulb syringe upside down so that all of the liquid can properly drain out of it.