You wipe it down. You rinse it off. You feel like you're doing the right thing. But if your pacifier clip has any metal on it - a clasp, a rivet, a tiny screw, you may be unknowingly exposing your baby to rust and mold every single day.
This is one of the most overlooked safety issues in baby gear, and it's why so many parents have started switching to fully metal-free clips.
Why Metal Clips Are a Problem?
Traditional pacifier clips use a small metal clasp or hardware to attach to clothing. Here's what happens over time:
- Metal corrodes when exposed to moisture — which happens constantly with drool, washing, and steam sterilizing
- Rust forms in the crevices of the clasp, often invisibly at first
- Mold and bacteria settle into those same crevices
- Your baby chews on the clip
Even "stainless steel" hardware can develop surface rust under repeated washing and steam exposure. And if you've ever noticed a dark orange tinge on an older clip, that's exactly what's happening.
How to Clean Different Types of Clips
Silicone bead clips (metal-free): These are the easiest to clean and the safest. Simply wash with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. You can also boil them for up to 5 minutes or run them through the top rack of the dishwasher. No rusting, no hidden mold spots, no worries.
Cotton muslin clips (metal-free):
Hand wash in cold water with a gentle, fragrance-free soap. Lay flat to dry. Do not machine dry — this can shrink the fabric and weaken the stitching over time.
Metal clasp clips: If you must use one, dry it thoroughly after every wash. Check the clasp weekly for rust. Replace it the moment you see discoloration. And honestly? Consider switching.
The Mila & Lulu Difference
Every pacifier clip we make is 100% metal-free — no clasps, no rivets, no hidden hardware. Our silicone bead clips and muslin cotton clips attach with a gentle, secure loop that poses zero rust risk. Moms who've switched tell us the same thing over and over: "I don't have to worry anymore." That's exactly what we set out to build. Shop metal-free clips → here