Keeping it Kleen- Tips for Washing Your Childs Toys

When it comes to your little one, you want only the best in the world for them. So naturally, you want them to stay safe from germs. Babies and toddlers alike think anything they touch needs to go into their mouth; so, it’s very important to keep anything baby comes in contact with clean.

To Bleach or Not to Bleach

Cleaning your little tot’s toys will be one of the best ways to keep germs out of their mouths. Toys are something babies play with every day, so they’re constantly covered in bacteria and germs. But, as a mother, bleaching the toys may freak you out. So, let’s take a look at some alternative solutions to cleaning and sanitizing toys without using harsh chemicals and bleaches.

It’s all about the hot water and soap. When cleaning plastic toys, get a bowl of warm soapy water and let your child’s toys soak for a few minutes. Use a clean brush to scrub the toys if necessary. Then, run in very hot water and let air dry to sanitize the toys. When cleaning your child’s toys, do not soak wooden parts or battery-operated toys. You can use baking soda in the water to help clean the toys; however, do not scrub too hard because it could cause any stickers or detailing to come off.

Doll Cleaning

If you have a little girl who loves playing with dolls, start by wiping the plastic face, hands, and feet in warm water with a soft cloth. Once again, use soap while doing so to make sure you clean the toy and kill germs. Do not wet the doll’s hair.

Plastic Toys

For other plastic toys, use the dishwasher. Using the dishwasher will cleanse the toys and the hot water will help to sanitize them as well. Make sure when putting toys in the dishwasher that the sturdier toys are placed on the top rack of the dishwasher basket.

Stuffed Animals

When a child loves a stuffed animal, chances are they’re going to take it everywhere with them. So, it’s very important to wash their fluffy friend as well. Be sure to read the label on the stuffed animal or toy. Most stuffed animals are able to go into your washing machine; however, some may have to be hand washed. When putting your child’s stuffed toy into the washing machine, use a safe net cloth basket (one you would use for your delicate items) to protect them in the machine. Run the toys through a gentle cycle and don’t allow the water to get too hot because you don’t want the colors running or bleeding.

If this toy is your child’s favorite, be sure to wash it at least once a week to get rid of germs from milk, dirt, drool, etc. Once the animal is washed, place in the dryer and be sure to completely allow the stuffed toy to dry. If the stuffed animal is damp, it could cause molding or other bacteria to grow on it. If you can’t throw the stuffed animal into the washing machine, soak the stuffed toy in warm water and about a half cup of baking soda. The baking soda will help remove bad smells that linger on the toys.

Weekly Schedule

It’s always best to keep your child’s toys as clean as possible. You can use sanitizing wipes daily on the toys to kill germs as well. Not only do the toys need to be cleaned on a daily/weekly basis, the areas where the toys are kept need to be cleaned as well. Therefore, clean the bins and shelves where your toddler’s toys are stored. If you do not feel comfortable using bleaches or harsh chemicals on your child’s toys, it’s important that you use hot water and antibacterial soap. A clean, healthy child is a happy child!

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