Don’t get us wrong, vinegar is a wonderful multi-purpose cleaner, largely due to its acidic properties, and we recommend it for almost everything. As a disinfectant though, it has limited effectiveness — ergo, it’s not a great way to clean baby toys because there’s a risk you could leave behind a host of unwanted ickiness. Show
How do you clean baby toys with batteries?Unlike other toys, toys with battery packs can’t be submerged in water. The easiest way to clean a battery operated toy is with the help of a natural disinfecting wipe. You can also make a cleaning solution using water and a small amount of dish soap, and use a washcloth dipped in this solution to scrub the toy clean. How do you disinfect wooden baby toys?Wood is naturally antibacterial, but it is also porous. That means that while it repels bacteria all on its own, it could still absorb dirt and other grime. If the toy is super dirty, wipe it down with a couple drops of natural dish soap in warm water and a microfiber cloth. Natural disinfecting wipes are another great way to clean toys, plus they’re easy and convenient to use. Are disinfectant wipes safe for babies?Natural disinfectant wipes are a great choice for baby toys because they don’t contain harsh ingredients or gnarly chemicals. Look for disinfectant wipes that use plant-based and eco-friendly ingredients, as they’ll be the gentlest on your wee one’s favorite toys. 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How To Clean Baby Toys: The Ultimate Guide Written by Laura Davies Updated on March 15, 2022
Your baby’s toys come into contact with many things like drool, spit-up, and the floor. It’s essential to know how to clean baby toys safely and effectively to prevent them from becoming a breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria or vectors for viruses. Why Should You Clean Baby Toys?You could probably already guess that the toys in your child’s doctor’s office or kindergarten aren’t the most hygienic and act as a breeding ground for all sorts of germs and bacteria. What you might not have considered is that your household toys could also be responsible for making your little one sick. This 2012 study found that 60% of the household toys sampled harbored at least 1 potentially pathogenic bacteria. A stomach-churning 33.3% were carrying coliforms, the bacteria present in feces, which can cause sickness and diarrhea. Beyond those nasty germs, most stuffed animals and plush toys also house dust mites. This 2021 study found them living in 58.8% of the soft polyester toys sampled. The mites are tiny bugs belonging to the spider family and can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. How Often Should You Clean Baby Toys?How regularly you clean baby toys depends on what they’re made of and if they’re chewed. Toy TypeMouthedNot MouthedHard Plastic ToysAfter each useWeekly or if visibly soiledHard Plastic Toys with BatteriesAfter each useMonthly or if visibly soiledBath ToysAfter each useAfter each useWooden ToysDailyMonthly or if visibly soiledFabric ToysDailyWeekly or if visibly soiledIf your child has been sick, or if other children have played with the toys, clean them before their next use. Cleaning vs. DisinfectingCleaning and disinfecting aren’t the same thing. Cleaning is the process of physically removing germs and dirt, usually with soap and water. Disinfecting is killing germs by using chemicals like bleach. Both are important, but it’s not necessary to disinfect as often as you clean. You can remove the majority of normal household germs with mild soap. It’s kinder to both the toys and the environment than harsher disinfecting products, like bleach. Save disinfecting for toys that have been out of the house, shared on a playdate, or used when someone in the household has been sick. What Should You Use to Clean and Disinfect Baby Toys?SoapAny soap, including solid bar soap, liquid hand soap, or dish detergent, will be effective for removing the majority of germs and dirt on different toys. VinegarIf you want to avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning toys, vinegar is naturally antimicrobial and non-toxic. This makes it a great option to disinfect baby toys naturally. However, it won’t kill as many germs as chemicals, like bleach. BleachChlorine bleach is one of the world’s cheapest and most effective disinfectants, which is why most childcare providers favor it. To clean toys, use a 0.1% solution. A tablespoon per gallon of water is usually about right. Hydrogen PeroxideHydrogen Peroxide is an effective disinfectant and dust mite killer that’s slightly kinder to the environment than bleach. To clean baby toys, you should buy a 3% concentration. Use it on its own or mixed with water. Lysol WipesDisinfecting wipes like Lysol wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. The manufacturers’ websites often explain how to clean baby toys with them. Most say to leave the solution to work for 5 minutes before rinsing with water. Washing Machine or DishwasherIf the toy’s label says it’s suitable for machine washing or dishwasher safe, give it a go. It’s often the easiest method. Put your child’s little toys in the dishwasher through a normal cycle on the top rack. It’s best not to put them in with the dishes from a chili or pasta sauce, just in case. SteamingYou can kill germs on fabric toys with heat by using a clothes steamer. This method won’t remove visible dirt from the toy but will ensure it’s dust mite and germ-free. Rubbing AlcoholIn an emergency, rubbing alcohol will disinfect baby toys. However, isopropyl alcohol is toxic if it gets into your baby’s mouth, so you must thoroughly rinse the toy with plain water before giving it back to your baby. How to Clean Plastic ToysPlastic toys are often easier to clean than other toys as they can withstand both water and chemicals. Here are your options: Cleaning
Disinfecting
Never mix bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar with each other, or any other chemical. At best, you’ll weaken their cleaning properties. At worst, you’ll create a harmful and potentially lethal gas. How to Clean Bath ToysBath toys require a little extra cleaning as the moisture they’re exposed to can allow mold to grow. Cleaning them after every use is quick and easy to do as they’ll already be in the bath. Simply wipe each toy with a sponge and some mild soap at the end of bath time and leave them to air dry. Unfortunately, this regular cleaning won’t prevent mold from forming inside the toys. If you’ve ever squeezed a rubber duck and found a jet of black slime, you’ll know the horror. If not, it’s something you’ll want to avoid. To ensure your baby’s toys stay mold-free, clean and disinfect them once a week with a diluted bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of plain water. Wear gloves and submerge the toys in the mixture. Squeeze them and allow them to fill with the bleach solution. Leave it to work for 5 mins and then squeeze out all of the liquid and leave to air dry. If you want to avoid bleach, you have a few choices.
How to Clean Fabric and Plush Toys in the WasherIf your baby’s stuffed toys or favorite stuffed animal are machine washable, you’re in luck. The washer is by far the easiest way to clean fabric toys. Protect special toys from damage by putting them in a mesh bag or pillowcase and using a gentle cycle and regular detergent. After washing toys, put them in the dryer on a cool cycle. It may take several goes to get the inner stuffing completely dry. Check embellishments, like eyes and buttons, are secure before returning the toy to your baby. How to Clean Fabric Toys That Can’t Go in the WasherIf your fabric baby toys have electronic or hard internal parts, they won’t be able to go in the washing machine or be suitable for hand washing. In this case, you’ll only be able to clean and disinfect the surface of the toy. Rub the surface with a clean cloth dipped in soapy water to remove visible dirt. Then allow it to air dry or use a hair dryer. To disinfect the toy, use a clothes steamer. The heat will kill germs and mites, and the steam won’t leave behind any residues on the toy that could irritate your baby’s skin. How to Clean Wooden ToysWooden baby toys, like building blocks, are naturally antimicrobial, so they only require cleaning once a month.
Never use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on wooden baby toys. It’ll dry them, discolor them, and might cause them to crack. If you need to disinfect wooden toys, use disinfecting wipes or vinegar. How to Clean Squishy ToysThere are different methods of cleaning squishy toys depending on what type you have. Foam squishies can be wiped with warm soapy water or sprayed with white shaving cream and wiped clean. They should never be submerged as they’ll absorb too much liquid and become very difficult to dry fully. Silicone squishies can be submerged in warm water and soap and wiped gently with a cloth or your fingers. If any paint comes off, reapply it with a small paint brush and acrylic paint. How to Clean Electronic ToysCleaning baby toys with batteries or that are electronic can be a little daunting, but once you know how, it’s simple to clean and disinfect them. First, remove any batteries or unplug them. Then wipe the surface with hydrogen peroxide, a diluted bleach solution, a Lysol wipe, or a soap and water mixture. Allow the cleaning solution to sit on the surface for ten minutes before wiping it away with a clean, damp cloth. Make sure the toy is completely dry before reinstalling the batteries or plugging it in. The information WonderBaby provides is not intended to be, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. Always consult with a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances. Written by Laura Davies Updated on March 15, 2022 Related PostsParenting 21 Fun Kids Songs That Parents Can Also Rock Out toTired of boring kid songs? These fun kids’ songs will have you rockin’ right along with your child and get the party started. Parenting How and Where to Mount Your Baby MonitorWhen you should use a baby video monitor and essential safety information for use, including how and where to mount the camera and cover baby monitor cords. Parenting How to Get Rid of Baby Gas… and Fast!Baby gas can be a real pain for babies and parents alike! Until your baby outgrows this phase, take a look at some of the best remedies we’ve found. What do you clean baby toys with?Mix 10-15 drops of a natural dish soap and hot water in a large bowl. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into this solution and scrub the toys completely. Rinse each with hot water, remove soapy residue, and let them air dry or wipe them down with a clean towel.
How do you disinfect baby toys?Diluted bleach is a safe and inexpensive way to disinfect baby toys.. Clean non-absorbent toys with soapy water, rinse with clear water, and wipe dry with disposable paper towels.. Disinfect with a chlorine bleach solution of one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water.. Lay out toys to air dry.. What's the best way to disinfect toys?If you are washing toys and toys only, consider adding a half-cup of bleach to your dishwasher or washing machine. If you are soaking your toys in the sink, we recommend adding a half-cup of bleach per gallon of water. Let the toys soak for about five minutes, rinse and then air dry.
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