Lansinoh Breast Pump Dishwasher Safe? I Tested It

Ever stood over the sink and asked, “Can I toss my Lansinoh breast pump parts in the dishwasher?” Good news—most of them are dishwasher safe.

But hold on. Before you load them up, there are a few things you should know.

As a tired mom who’s pumped at 2 a.m. and cleaned at 6, I’ve tested every trick to save time.

This guide mixes research with real-life use. I’ll show you what’s safe, what’s not, and how to clean your pump without stress.

Let’s make life a bit easier—one clean pump at a time.

Quick Answer: Can You Wash Lansinoh Breast Pump in the Dishwasher?

Yes, most Lansinoh pump parts are dishwasher safe — but not all.

If you’re in a rush (and most moms are), here’s the short version:

• Flanges, valves, diaphragms, and bottles can go on the top rack.
• Never put tubing or the motor in the dishwasher.

I once tried to save time by tossing everything in at once — big mistake! One of my soft silicone valves warped. The suction was never the same after that.

Here’s something many parents don’t know: Even if a part survives the dishwasher, it might not be sanitized.

The CDC says babies under 3 months still need sanitized pump parts every day. That means boiling, using steam bags, or a separate sterilizer.

So yes, the dishwasher helps — a lot. But knowing what’s safe (and when to sanitize) can save you stress, money, and time.

What Comes with a Lansinoh Breast Pump?

Before we talk about dishwashing, let’s look at what’s in the box.

Lansinoh makes both manual and electric pumps. Some parts are the same, but others are not.

Here’s a quick list:

Lansinoh Manual Pump usually includes:

• Flange (also called a breast shield)
• Silicone diaphragm
• Valve and bottle base
• Bottle and cap
• Handle

Lansinoh Electric Pump (like the Smartpump or Signature Pro) includes:

• Flanges (often two sizes)
• Diaphragms
• Valves
• Collection bottles and caps
• Tubing
• Connectors
• Pump motor

Why does this matter? Because each part has its own cleaning rules.

Some are hard plastic and fine in the dishwasher. Others—like the soft valve—can warp if they’re on the wrong rack. (Ask me how I know!)

Tubing and motor? Never put them in water. Not in the sink or the dishwasher. They’re too delicate and can stop working if they get wet.

So whether you’re using a manual pump now and then or double-pumping every day, knowing your parts makes cleaning faster—and safer.

Which Lansinoh Parts Are Dishwasher-Safe (and Which Are Not)?

Not every Lansinoh part can handle the dishwasher. I learned that the hard way—and it’s not fun.

Here’s a quick table to help:

Part	Dishwasher Safe?	Top/Bottom Rack?	Notes
Flanges	Yes	Top rack only	May warp on the bottom rack.
Valves	Yes	Top rack only	Soft silicone—wash gently.
Diaphragms	Yes	Top rack only	Can lose shape if too hot.
Bottles & caps	Yes	Top or bottom rack	Bottom rack works, but top is safer.
Connectors	Yes	Top rack only	May wear down over time.
Tubing	No	Not dishwasher-safe	Wipe dry—never soak.
Motor	No	Never wash	Keep it 100% dry.
Handle (Manual)	Yes	Top rack only	Avoid strong or heated cycles.

Big rule: Never wash the tubing or motor—not in the dishwasher, not in the sink. Moisture can hurt the suction or grow mold.

Here’s a tip I learned: After a few washes, soft parts like valves or diaphragms may feel loose. One of mine stretched, and suction dropped. Replace these if they stop working well.

So yes—most parts are dishwasher-safe.
But how you wash them matters. Stick to the top rack. Use gentle, baby-safe soap. And skip the heat-dry cycle if you can.

How to Safely Clean Your Lansinoh Breast Pump in the Dishwasher

So, your pump parts are dishwasher-safe. But how do you clean them the right way?

Here’s the step-by-step I follow—after many rushed mornings and a few melted parts:

Step 1: Take everything apart

Pull off the valves. Remove the diaphragms. Unscrew the bottles. If a part comes off, take it off. Trapped milk can grow bacteria.

Step 2: Rinse before loading

Give all parts a quick rinse under cool water. Dried milk sticks fast. Hot water here can make it worse.

Step 3: Use a basket or mesh bag

Tiny parts like valves can disappear mid-cycle. A baby-safe dishwasher basket works great. A mesh laundry bag works too.

Step 4: Top rack only—always

The top rack sits farther from the heating coil. Bottom heat can warp soft parts. I’ve ruined a flange this way.

Step 5: Skip heated dry

Let everything air dry on a clean towel. Heat drying may save time—but it can hurt silicone over time.

Step 6: Wash your hands first

Once the parts are dry, store them in a clean bag or container. Clean hands keep clean parts clean.

Top rack placement really matters. It protects soft parts from warping. One time I forgot and put a diaphragm on the bottom rack—it came out shaped like a taco shell.

With a little care, the dishwasher can be a lifesaver.

Alternative Cleaning Methods (When You Don’t Have a Dishwasher)

No dishwasher? No problem. I’ve been there—at grandma’s house, in a hotel, or when the dishwasher was full of everything but pump parts.

Here’s how I kept things clean (and safe for baby) without one:

Handwashing: The simple, safe method

This was my go-to when I had just a few parts to clean.

• Use warm, soapy water in a clean wash basin (not the kitchen sink—it can hold germs).
• Scrub gently with a bottle brush or soft sponge.
• Rinse everything well under running water.
• Let parts air-dry on a clean towel or rack.

Sterilizing bags: Microwave magic

For fast cleaning—especially while traveling—steam bags saved me.

• Add a little water to the bag.
• Drop in the clean parts (skip the tubing!).
• Microwave for 2–3 minutes.
• Let cool before removing.

I kept a few in my pump bag. They’re light, fast, and easy to use anywhere.

Boiling: Old-school but it works

No steam bag? A pot and some water work just fine.

• Bring water to a full boil.
• Drop in the parts (not tubing or motor).
• Boil for 5 minutes.
• Remove with tongs and let dry on a clean towel.

Watch out: Silicone parts can get sticky if they boil too long.

My shortcut as a busy mom

Here’s what worked best for me:

I’d handwash during the day, then use a steam bag before bed. No sink full of dishes—and I could rest easy knowing everything was clean.

Even without a dishwasher, you’ve got solid options. It’s all about keeping things safe, clean, and easy for your daily routine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Breast Pump Parts

Even with good intentions, it’s easy to mess up—especially when you’re low on sleep and high on laundry. I’ve made a few of these mistakes myself. Let’s help you skip them.

Mistake #1: Using harsh detergents

Pump parts don’t need to smell fresh or sparkle. Strong soaps can leave a film or damage soft silicone.

• Use baby-safe, fragrance-free soap.
• Skip bleach or “ultra-tough” cleaners—those are for dirty pans.

I once used citrus-scented soap by accident. The nipple kept the smell—and my baby refused the bottle. Lesson learned!

Mistake #2: Not drying parts fully

Moisture is mold’s best friend. If parts stay damp, bacteria can grow fast.

• Always let parts air-dry on a clean towel or rack.
• Don’t store wet parts in a bag or container.

I used to toss damp pieces into a zip bag “just for a minute.” Hours later? Gross.

Mistake #3: Rinsing and reusing

Busy days make it tempting to skip washing. But even a little milk left behind can grow bacteria.

• Always wash after every use—especially for newborns.
• The CDC says to sanitize daily for babies under 3 months or with weak immune systems.

I’ve done the quick rinse trick too. But once I saw a film inside the valve, I stopped.

These small mistakes are super common. But they’re easy to fix. Think of cleaning your pump like brushing your teeth: quick, simple, and worth doing right.

Lansinoh’s Official Cleaning Guidelines (What the Brand Says)

Now that we’ve talked real-life mom hacks, let’s check what Lansinoh says about cleaning their pumps.

Yes, they allow dishwasher use—but with more rules than you might think.

If you’ve only seen “dishwasher safe” on the box, that’s not the full picture.

Here’s what their manuals and FAQs say:

• Top rack only for hard plastic parts—like bottles, flanges, handles, and sometimes connectors.
• Soft silicone parts (like valves and diaphragms) may say “dishwasher safe,” but Lansinoh recommends hand-washing them. It helps these parts last longer.
• Never wash tubing or motors. Lansinoh pumps have a “closed system,” so milk shouldn’t get into the tubes. But if it does, you’ll need to throw the tubing away.

What about sanitizing? Lansinoh follows CDC guidance:

“For babies under 3 months, born early, or with weak immune systems, pump parts should be sanitized once a day.” — Lansinoh FAQ

They suggest boiling, using steam bags, or a dishwasher with a sanitize cycle. But only for the safe parts—and only if you’ve taken everything apart.

One more big tip: Always wash parts before the first use—and every time after pumping. Even if you sanitize, you still need to wash first. Sanitizing doesn’t remove leftover milk.

So yes, Lansinoh supports using the dishwasher. But they remind us: some parts do better with a gentle hand wash.

And that tiny $5 valve? Baby it. It’s cheaper to hand-wash than to replace it every week.

My Experience Cleaning the Lansinoh Pump as a Mom

I’ve cleaned Lansinoh pump parts more times than I can count—sometimes half-asleep in the middle of the night, other times with a toddler on my hip.

What worked best for me? A mix of dishwasher and handwashing.

On busy mornings, the dishwasher saved me. I’d rinse the parts, toss them in a mesh basket, and run a gentle top-rack cycle. It felt like a win—less time scrubbing, more time for coffee (or cuddles).

But here’s the truth: not every part handled it the same.

The hard plastic bottles and flanges were fine. But the soft silicone valves and diaphragms? Not so lucky. After a few runs, they felt too soft—almost stretched out. One valve even lost its fit, and suction dropped.

That’s when I started handwashing the soft parts. They lasted longer, and suction stayed strong.

When I was pumping daily, I found a rhythm: Dishwasher for the tough stuff. Handwash the delicate parts.

This kept me from replacing parts too often—and saved me stress during pump sessions.

If I had to choose?
The dishwasher wins for speed, but handwashing wins for care.

And honestly, some days I just did what I could. Because let’s be real—survival beats perfect when you’re running on low sleep.

Final Verdict: Should You Use the Dishwasher for Lansinoh Pump Parts?

Yes, you can use the dishwasher for most Lansinoh pump parts. And on busy days, it can feel like a total lifesaver.

But like most things in parenting, it depends—on your routine, your baby, and the parts you’re cleaning.

Here’s what’s safe for the dishwasher:

• Flanges, bottles, caps, connectors, and handles — top rack only
• Soft parts like valves and diaphragms — dishwasher-safe, but handwashing helps them last
• Tubing and motor — never put them in water

If you pump often or full-time, the dishwasher can save a lot of time. I used a mesh basket and only washed on the top rack. It made those newborn weeks easier.

But if your baby is under 3 months or has a weaker immune system, the CDC says to sanitize daily. That means adding in boiling, steam bags, or the sanitize setting now and then.

If you pump here and there—or want to make parts last—handwashing is a gentler option. I noticed better suction and fewer replacements when I washed soft parts by hand.

In the end, it’s okay to mix and match.

I used the dishwasher for the sturdy pieces and handwashed the rest. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked for my real-life, messy, beautiful mom routine.

Because sometimes, the best method is the one that keeps baby fed—and gives you five more minutes to breathe.

FAQs: Lansinoh Breast Pump Dishwasher Safe