The Best Erasable Pen for Baby Bottle Labels? Why Our Hydro Pencil Wins!

Our award-winning, reusable baby bottle labels are the best option for parents who want to manage and organize their child’s bottles for daycare. We make our write-on labels with top-quality, durable 3M vinyl and laminate and print them with eco-friendly ink. These labels stick firm through all life’s curveballs and won’t peel, curl, or fall off, even after frequent trips through the dishwasher or use in bottle sanitizers.

But back to the reusable feature—how and with what? The blank canvas on our write-on labels makes it easy for parents to take notes and erase them. But what do we recommend you use to take these notes? When it comes to the perfect writing tool, we’ve always been a bit obsessed with finding the best option: one that lasts through transport to daycare and back but can also be easily erased for daily use.

We tested the market for you! To ensure we recommended the best option, we consulted with the pen experts over at jetpens.com and had parents on our team perform real-life testing. After putting many combinations of markers, pens, pencils, erasers, and magic tricks to the test, we’re confident that our Hydro Pencils (also called China Markers) are the best option for the job!

What’s Out There? The Good, The Bad, and the Surprisingly Permanent

Dry Erase Markers

• Pros: Writes smoothly, likely already around the house.

• Cons: Erases too easily during regular transport and can cause major stains when left too long. Even the slightest touch can smudge the writing during daily use, making this an unreliable option for use at daycare.

• Conclusion: Not durable enough for transport between home and daycare.

Wet Erase Markers (aka Overhead or Projection Markers)

• Pros: Designed to come off with water, so they wipe away cleanly without leaving a shadow when you’re ready.

• Cons: Because the ink is water-soluble, the writing will be erased in the bottle warmer or from condensation in the refrigerator, making them impractical for use with baby bottles.

• Conclusion: Great for temporary labeling, home storage, etc, but not the best option for bottles exposed to moisture.

Staedtler Lumocolor Pens

• Pros: The most durable option by far. These pens hold up through washing and handling. 

• Cons: Even when erased with alcohol, these leave a strong shadow behind. They will become permanent when exposed to heat (like a warmer or dishwasher).

• Conclusion: Best reserved for household use on labels you want permanently noted. Not recommended for daily use and rewritability.

Sharpie + Dry-Erase Marker Trick

• Pros: This fun Mom-Hack can seriously come in handy if a caregiver or teacher does the unthinkable and uses a Sharpie on your labels. Writing over the Sharpie with a dry-erase marker and then wiping it off with a cloth can remove most of the ink.

• Cons: This method still leaves a distinct shadow, making it harder to reuse.

• Conclusion: This is great for emergency fixes but impractical for daily use.

Oil-Based Ink: Is It Safe?

Some commenters on our reviews mention using oil-based ink that’s easily erasable. While some oil markers, specifically the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers, are AP-certified and non-toxic, this does not mean they are considered food-safe. We contacted Sharpie directly, and they confirmed that they do not recommend using their oil-based markers on anything that may come into contact with a child’s mouth, food, or liquid.

• Conclusion: Skip these and opt for a food-safe option instead.

Why we recommend the Hydro Pencil (China Marker) as the best erasable pen for baby bottle labels:

After testing all the alternatives, the Hydro Pencil, also known as a China Marker, came out on top. Here’s why:

• Durability: The wax-based writing holds up well through handling and shouldn’t smudge off between home and daycare. The writing can be washed off easily with warm, soapy water.

• Safe and Non-Toxic: China markers are commonly used in the kitchen industry and are 100% food-safe and non-toxic.

• Minimal Residue: While any writing will build up a shadow over time, and the Hydro Pencil is no different, we find it easier to remove than other options. Regular cleaning helps minimize buildup and helps maintain the clean appearance of your labels.

• Easy to sharpen: Don’t be fooled by the pull string; if you can sharpen a normal pencil or crayon, you can sharpen this tool!

The hydro pencil works seamlessly with our write-on labels, and you can change your note without changing the label—just wipe it clean and write again! Our hydro pencil and reusable write-on labels provide a cost-effective solution for keeping track of your child’s bottles and snack containers. Use our hydro pencil to:

• Update dates, contents, and reminders with ease.

• Customize messages for your child's lunchbox, school supplies, or storage bins.

• Reduce waste by reusing labels instead of replacing them.

Using the Hydro Pencil: Tips & Tricks!

Sharpening

• Our Hydro Pencil has a wax core, which makes it more delicate than a regular pencil. Check out this quick and easy YouTube Short Tutorial HERE or follow the instructions below for the best results.

• How to sharpen the hydro pencil before using it on write-on labels:

• Find the string attached to the pencil near the tip.

• Gently pull the string to tear the outer wrapper. Be careful not to pull too far, as exposing more of the tip than needed could cause issues.

• Grab a piece of the wrapper at the bottom of the string and pull it until more of the wax tip is exposed.

• Once the tip is exposed, gently sharpen the pencil using a manual pencil or crayon sharpener.

• Note: Avoid using an electric sharpener, as it’s too powerful for this pencil.

Writing on the labels

• Sharpen the pencil first.

• Make sure the label is dry and clean before writing on it.

• Write with light pressure to prevent wax buildup, which can make removal more difficult later.
  
  

Erasing the Hydro Pencil

• Use a wet cloth and warm, soapy water to erase the message from the label.

• Wipe firmly. While most writing and wax will come off, a shadow builds over time.

• To minimize residue, clean the write-on labels regularly before sanitizing rather than letting the writing sit overnight.

We’re confident that the Hydro Pencil is the best erasable pen for labeling baby bottles, sippy cups, snack containers, and more on a daily basis. It provides the best balance of durability and erasability, making it ideal for parents and childcare professionals who need to update labels frequently without worrying about permanent marks or smudging. Our hydro pencil is non-toxic and food-safe, allowing you to label your child’s sensitive items without worry. While there is no perfect solution, the hydro pencil is the most effective and practical choice for busy families who need an erasable pen for labeling!