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Do you take off the yellow valve and white membrane piece flap you clean? I didn't realize that part needed to come off for cleaning, and to my horror, I discovered clumps of mold growing inside the yellow part. I ended up dumping a lot of stored breast milk (so hard to do!), and I cleaned the pieces by soaking them in vinegar, scrubbing them, and then soaking them again. You could probably use bleach, but I'm a fan of vinegar as a cleaning agent.

After I started taking off the yellow valves, I haven't had a problem with mold, and I've been able to get inside the connector to scrub out the dried milk.

I had NO idea that I could take off the yellow valve! THANKS so much...now it will be so much easier to clean!

I would buy new yellow valves and white seals if  you can--mold can grow into plastic, even though it looks clean.

Is there a trick to removing the yellow valve? I cannot seem to get it off by twisting and turning. I, too, have something like mold building in the shield, but cannot get the valve disconnected. Thanks!

The yellow valves should just pop on and off, but mine were stuck at first, so I had my husband pull them off.

To prevent further sticking, I've been taking the valves off right after pumping, so the milk doesn't dry and make it tough to pull the pieces apart.

one of my valves always get stuck-- even after 4 months of use. I just take some plyers to it and it takes it right off.

I take everything apart and then put it in my steamer sterilizer. if you don't have one you can buy the sterilizer bags that go in the microwave. Its works great for me. Really easy too!

Use a nipple brush. You can't just soak them or rinse. After using the nipple brush sterilize it once all the mold is out. And, don't store them in a bag or anything still wet or they will get moldy, especially if you have a lot of humidity in your house.

If I seat the yelloy part on too snuggly, I use my teeth to remove it (I'm sure my mother cringes over those orthodontist bills when I do that!), but at work I don't have male hands or pliers available. Make sure you remove the white membrane while cleaning the parts, too. Well, basically, SEPARATE EVERY part that is separable when cleaning.

The easiest way to get them off when they're too tight is to take it by the middle (don't squeeze the valve too hard or it will snap the area where the membrane goes) and jiggle it back and forth until you feel it come loose...then you can twist it off.

I always use a kitchen towel or something like around the yellow part, and then pull. It makes it much easier!

Hope it's going better!!