Best Sanitiser for Home Brewing: ChemSan, VWP, Milton & More Compared
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Poor sanitation is the number one cause of spoiled home brew. But with so many products around, from specialist brewing sanitisers to Milton and household bleach, it's hard to know which to use. This guide compares the main options honestly, including the ones we don't sell.
For the step-by-step process, see our complete guide to sanitising home brewing equipment.
Cleaning vs Sanitising: Two Different Jobs
- Cleaning removes visible dirt, residue and yeast deposits. Sanitisers can't work properly through grime, so always clean first.
- Sanitising kills the bacteria and wild yeast you can't see, just before the equipment touches your beer or wine.
Some products do both; others are best at one. The best routine is usually a good cleaner followed by a sanitiser on brew day.
The Options Compared
ChemSan – best no-rinse sanitiser
ChemSan is a concentrated, no-rinse sanitiser designed for brewing. Dilute it, wet every surface, and it's ready to use without rinsing, which also means no risk of recontaminating equipment with tap water. A small bottle makes a lot of solution. Ideal for brew day and bottling day. Follow the dilution and contact time on the label.
VWP – best all-in-one cleaner and steriliser
VWP is a long-standing favourite that cleans and sterilises in one step. It's excellent for soaking fermenters, demijohns and bottles, especially after a batch. Rinse thoroughly afterwards, as directed on the pack.
Sodium percarbonate – best oxygen-based option
Sodium percarbonate releases active oxygen in water, lifting stubborn deposits and sanitising without chlorine. Choose BrewCo No-Rinse Sanitiser (also in 500g) for sanitising, or Chemclean for heavy-duty cleaning. Read more in What Is Sodium Percarbonate?
Young's Cleaner/Steriliser – a trusted budget choice
Young's Cleaner/Steriliser is a simple, affordable powder for general cleaning and sterilising of brewing equipment. Rinse as directed.
Campden tablets and sodium metabisulphite – traditional, but limited
Winemakers have long used a sodium metabisulphite or Campden solution to rinse equipment. It helps suppress wild yeast and bacteria and suits wine and cider making, but it's weaker than modern sanitisers and gives off sharp sulphur fumes, so don't breathe it in. Better used alongside a proper sanitiser than instead of one.
Milton – works, but rinse very thoroughly
Milton sterilising fluid and tablets, sold for baby bottles, are chlorine-based. They do kill bacteria effectively, so they'll work in a pinch. The catch is that any chlorine left behind reacts with compounds in beer and wine to create a medicinal, TCP-like taste. If you use Milton, rinse everything very thoroughly with clean water, ideally treated with a Campden tablet to remove the chlorine. Prolonged contact with chlorine can also damage stainless steel.
Household bleach – best avoided
Thin, unscented bleach will sanitise, but it has all the drawbacks of Milton and more: harsher, easy to get the dilution wrong, and very hard to rinse away completely. Scented or thick bleaches should never be used. With cheap, purpose-made sanitisers available, it isn't worth the risk to a batch.
Boiling water – small items only
Boiling is fine for small heat-proof items like spoons and bottle caps (check the caps can take it), but it will warp plastic fermenters and can crack cold glass. Not a practical way to sanitise most kit.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Cleans | Sanitises | Rinse? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChemSan | No | Yes | No | Best for brew and bottling day |
| VWP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Best all-in-one |
| Sodium percarbonate | Yes | Yes | No-rinse versions available | Great chlorine-free option |
| Young's Cleaner/Steriliser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Good budget choice |
| Campden / metabisulphite | No | Partly | – | Wine and cider support only |
| Milton | No | Yes | Yes, thoroughly | Emergency option |
| Household bleach | No | Yes | Yes, thoroughly | Avoid |
Our Recommendation
Clean with VWP or Chemclean after every batch, then sanitise with ChemSan or BrewCo No-Rinse Sanitiser on brew day and bottling day. Keep Milton for emergencies, and skip household bleach altogether. Browse the full cleaning and sanitising range.
Safety: never mix different cleaning or sanitising products, especially chlorine-based ones like Milton or bleach with acidic sanitisers, as this can release dangerous gases. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and store chemicals out of reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Milton to sterilise home brew equipment?
Yes, in a pinch. It's chlorine-based and effective, but you must rinse very thoroughly, as leftover chlorine causes medicinal off-flavours. A purpose-made brewing sanitiser is a better choice.
What is the best sanitiser for home brewing?
A no-rinse sanitiser such as ChemSan or a sodium percarbonate no-rinse sanitiser, used after cleaning with a product like VWP.
Do I need to rinse after sanitising?
Not with no-rinse sanitisers. Cleaners and chlorine-based products like VWP, Milton and bleach should be rinsed as directed.
Can I use bleach for home brewing?
It's best avoided. Bleach is hard to rinse away completely and easily causes medicinal off-flavours. Scented or thick bleach should never be used.
Are Campden tablets enough to sterilise equipment?
Not on their own for beer. A Campden or sodium metabisulphite solution is a traditional winemaking rinse, but it's weaker than modern sanitisers.