Toys are one of the best ways of keeping your little ones busy and distracted, especially when you have tons to do. However, the more they play with them, the dirtier they get, making them a good breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
However, if you have learned anything as a parent, kids can get sick quickly, especially if exposed to bacteria and germs. Eliminating germs and bacteria is a great way to keep your little one healthy, which is why you should know how to clean baby toys. Learn more about how to clean baby toys the right way to keep your baby healthy below!
Importance of Cleaning Baby Toys
Kids value toys; to them, they are their valuable possession which they sleep with and put in their mouths from time to time. However, kids' toys are prone to dirt, dust and stubborn stains, so maintaining cleanliness is paramount.
Some toys like bath toys, especially those that squeeze, have rubber plasticine feathers inside, which don't dry out. They also don't have good air circulation, and light doesn't get in.
The lack of air and light presents a good breeding ground for mold. Just know when you notice a light gray stain on their favorite bear or discoloration on the ducktail, you should keep the toys off the kids.
Remember, toys are a breeding ground for germs and conduits to their tiny mouths.
How Often Should I Be Cleaning Baby Toys?
Babies are cute but they can be really messy, especially when playing around with their toys. Since they put everything in their mouths, it's tough not to think how often you should clean the toys.
According to Dr. Daniel Ganjin, a pediatrician at Providence Saint Joseph Health Center, baby toys don't need to be cleaned regularly. He adds that toys should be cleaned when visibly soiled and after the child has recovered from an illness or if the pets were playing with the toys.
Clean your child's favorite toys at least once a week because they're likely to play with them more often than other toys. Even if you don't clean them that often, ensure you clean them after every playdate.
If your child has wooden toys, you don't have to worry about cleaning them so much. Wooden toys contain natural antimicrobial properties, which means they don't get affected by bacteria or viruses like plastic toys.
However, if your baby likes putting the toys inside their mouths, clean them after playing with them. Besides cleaning the toys, make sure their hands are clean before handling them. If your child is old enough to play outside, you know that they are exposed to dirt and germs.
According to NBC news, kids will get exposed to germs whether you keep them clean or wash their toys. However, it is important to clean everything to minimize exposure.
How to Clean Baby Toys: Bath Toys
To avoid mold on your little ones' toys, you need to clean them from time to time. Here is how you can thoroughly clean your baby's toys.
1. Use Hot Water and Soap
According to research published in The Atlanta Journal Constitution, 86% of harmful bacteria, and 14% of positive bacteria are found in bath toys.
Merry Maids Home expert, Debra Johnson, advises that parents should soak kids' bath toys in hot water with dishwashing soap before rinsing with cold water several minutes later.
2. Soak the Toys in Vinegar
Vinegar is a more natural, cheap, and effective way of cleaning your baby's toys at home. Put equal amounts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz on the toys.
Let the toys sit with the vinegar-water solution for a few minutes, then wipe it clean using a clean piece of cloth.
3. Clean the Toys in the Washing Machine
Most bath toys are squishy, which means they will whirl around when placed inside the washing machine. It's important to ensure that you use a friendly washing liquid/powder.
You can also use wipes to clean the toys. Just make sure to keep the toy's surface wet for at least 10 seconds.
4. Clean the Toys in a Dishwasher
Place toys without batteries or electric components in a dishwasher. However, before putting them inside, ensure you read the instructions on their tags. Some indicate whether they can be washed in a dishwasher or not.
5. Boil the Toys
One of the best ways of disinfecting your child's toys is by boiling them in a pot. Boiling water is known to kill all sorts of germs and the method has been in use for years to disinfect items.
To clean your little one's toys with this method, you need a stove and water added to a cooking pot. However, before doing so, you need to read the label first to check whether they can be boiled in water. Also, ensure the toys don't have batteries or electric components which may heat up and damage them.
How to Clean Baby Toys: Plush Toys
Stuffed animals serve as the perfect napkins for children. From being dragged around the house and in the yard, the toys need cleaning frequently. Since plush toys come with care instructions on the tag, you may have to wash them in the washing machine or use regular hand wash.
Washing Baby Toys in a Washing Machine
Washing machines are best for washing stuffed animals. Just make sure to place the toy in a zippered pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag and set the delicate cycle setting when cleaning. The mesh bag prevents it from snagging in the machine.
Use warm or cool water when washing, and make sure to dry the toys after washing. Dry heating them could melt the glue inside them.
Hand Washing Stuffed Animals
Hand washing stuffed animals is a pretty simple cleaning process without ruining them. You can do it in the sink or a bucket. Use mild detergent and soak the animal in the water for 20 minutes before washing it. After you are done, thoroughly rinse it to clear the soap completely.
Stuffed toys with stains need more than a few minutes inside the washing machine or hand washing. You need to first clean and remove the stain using a stain removing product.
How to Clean Baby Toys: Wooden Toys
Wooden toys are easy to clean since they have antimicrobial properties, so you don't have to use chemicals to clean. Use natural cleaning products or two spoons of vinegar or baking soda, then use a piece of clean cloth to wipe the toys clean.
Once you are done cleaning, dry it outside under direct sunlight. You may also consider moisturizing the toys once in a while. Olive oil or beeswax polish works well.
Don't soak the toys in water. Since wood is porous, it will absorb water when soaked, making it lose shape. Also, if it doesn't dry up completely, it could lead to the growth of bacteria.
How to Clean Baby Toys: Electric Toys
Electric toys can take up a lot of germs and dirt. However, because of how they are made, the toys only need surface cleaning.
- To clean them, first, take out the batteries. Then soak a clean piece of cloth in clean soapy water, then wipe the toy clean
- Focus on buttons and crevices, and water doesn't slip into the electrical components.
- To kill germs and disinfect the toy, dip alcohol or a disinfecting wipe in a mixture of water and bleach and wring it well before wiping the toy
- Allow the toy's surface to stay wet for a few minutes, then allow it to air dry. If it is chewable, you wipe the toy again with clean water, then let it air dry
Hydrogen peroxide is also another solution you can use to disinfect and eliminate dirt on your children's toys. What you need to do is mix two spoonfuls of hydrogen peroxide with water, then place it in a spray bottle. Spray the toys and let them sit for 10 minutes before wiping with a clean cloth.
How to Clean Baby Toys that Can't Be Washed
Not all toys can be placed inside a washing machine or dipped in a sink for a quick wash. Fortunately, these tips can help:
- Thoroughly go over the toy with a clean cloth dipped in a sudsy solution
- Rinse the toy with another piece of clean clothes
- Use a hairdryer or let the toy dry by itself under direct sunlight
- Use a garment steamer to kill and eliminate bacteria and dust mites. Steam cleaners can clean practically everything from your baby's strollers to chewable toys. It is also an easy way to disinfect them without using harsh chemicals
Keep Your Baby Healthy by Cleaning Their Toys the Right Way
As a parent, one of the most important things to you is keeping your baby healthy, which is why you will do anything to keep them away from germs and bacteria. Unfortunately, since their most important possessions are toys which can sometimes be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, you may wonder how to clean baby toys.
The good thing is there are several methods for cleaning the toys. However, no matter which way you choose, ensure you shop using cleaning products from The Hate Stains Co.