How to Disinfect Toys
Disinfecting your child’s toys regularly is something every responsible parent should do. Not only do these toys get everywhere, toddlers regularly like to pick them up and attempt eating them. Here’s how to keep your kids protected from germs transmitted through the toys.
Separate your kids’ toys into the following categories: Hard plastic toys, dishwater-safe toys, stuffed or cloth toys and large toys.
Use a dishwasher to disinfect dishwater-safe toys. The high heat of the dishwasher means that you don’t need to use a bleach solution. Do make sure that the plastic toys are dishwasher-safe, as ordinary plastic toys could melt in the heat.
Your other hard, plastic toys can be cleaned using a scrub brush, mild soap and water. Then soak them in a solution made up of one tablespoon bleach mixed with a gallon of water for ten to 20 minutes to completely disinfect them. Rinse thoroughly in clean water, and let air-dry.
You can wash stuffed or plush toys in a regular washer and dryer, unless the tags on the toys specifically instruct you to surface clean them only. You can wash them once a week to be sure that they’re disinfected.
For bigger toys or plastic furniture the kids use, you can use the same solution of one tablespoon bleach mixed with a gallon of water. Use a sponge or a rag to wipe down your child’s bigger toys and plastic furniture. Make sure that you clean all corners and crevices, and let them stand for ten to 20 minutes. Rinse them with clean water and a sponge, then leave them to air dry.
An alternative to the bleach and water solution is using Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface Sanitizer. It’s safe for baby toys and you can simply spray it on and leave it on for two minutes. Wipe the toys dry after.
If you’re dealing with mites dwelling on your plush toys, place the toys in large airtight bags and leave them there for several days.The lack of oxygen will kill them. For a speedier process, throw the toys in the dryer on a hot cycle before sealing them in the airtight bags. The heat from the dryer coupled with the lack of oxygen will surely kill the mites or bugs dwelling there.
Wooden toys can be cleaned by using a solution of ten parts water to one part bleach. Soak a clean rag in the solution and wipe down the wooden toys. Have another clean rag to wipe the solution off quickly. Letting the solution stay on the wood for too long can prove to be dangerous.To clean wooden toys, use a solution of t10 parts water to 1 part bleach. The toy should be wiped down with a damp rag soaked in the solution. Dry the toy immediately to avoid having the wood absorb excess moisture.