Steam sterilisation is environmentally friendly because no chemicals are required to achieve sterilisation and it is also very quick. This type of steriliser is more expensive than other kinds but you do not have to buy sterilising tablets or liquids. Tomy's award-winning Six Bottle Steam Steriliser accommodates most bottle shapes and takes ten minutes to sterilise. It includes an automatic switch-off facility, priced 24.99.
* Telephone 02380 662600
Babies 'R' Us Steam Sterilising System accepts all feeding bottles and sterilises eight bottles in eight minutes. Includes a pair of tongs, priced 24.99.
* Telephone 0845 786 9778
The Electric Steam Steriliser from Mothercare accommodates six standard or four wide-neck bottles and takes nine minutes to sterilise. It comes with a stacking rack and tongs and the items will remain sterile for up to three hours, providing the lid is not removed. It is priced 29.99.
* Telephone 08453 304030
Cold water
This method takes longer and requires sterilising tablets or liquid but items remain sterile for longer. If you intend to use a steriliser in a microwave you should ensure that it is expressly designed for this purpose and that it will fit into the available microwave oven. Mothercare's Cold water steriliser accommodates four wide-necked or six standard bottles and accessories. Sterilising takes 30 minutes and items remain sterile for 24 hours if kept in the solution. It comes with six 250ml bottles and silicone slow-flow teats, a bottle brush and eight sterilising tablets. Priced 18.50.
* Telephone as before
Babies 'R' Us Cold Water & Microwave Sterilising System can be used, as its name suggests, as either a cold water or microwave steriliser. This accepts all known sizes and shapes of bottles, including 'nipper grippers' and is particularly useful when travelling. Priced 9.99.
* Telephone as before
