I used this when my child was a baby. It was very useful because it would clear their stuffy nose and they would be a little happier♪ I sterilized it by boiling. I didn't use any chemical solutions. When cleaning, I pulled the tube too hard while disassembling the parts, and it tore. It's not noticeable, so it doesn't affect use. I carried it around in my bag, so there are some small scratches. It might be recommended for those who want to keep one for portability.