Whether it is a baby rattle or some other type of baby toy, it is important to keep them as clean as you possibly can. If you have a baby, you should know how messy it can be dealing with them on a daily basis. Keeping your baby healthy includes having the proper knowledge of sanitizing his or her toys. Your baby is used to putting their toys into their mouths, traveling with them, and sharing them with their playdates. Toys carry a lot of germs and dirt.
For On-The-Go Cleanups, Use Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are perfect to use for fast clean-ups, whether it is your baby hands you are cleaning or their toys that are full of germs. Any wipes for that matter will do, but make sure you opt-in for wipes that are hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and made with at least 98% natural ingredients. Keep your wipes handy in case you need to get to them quickly.
Consider Using Vinegar
Consider cleaning toys with a chemical-free cleaning solution such as a mixture of vinegar and water that is also considered eco-friendly. This can be used instead of bleach, which is a harsh chemical. Your mixture should consist of half vinegar and half water. If you are using vinegar to clean toys that are made out of 100% plastic, you can put them right into the mixture to allow them to soak. For any bigger toys, made of plastic or wood, with batteries or cords, use a wet cloth of the same mixture to wipe down the toy. You can even spray the cleaner right on the toys prior to wiping them off.
Use Your Dishwasher
It is entirely safe to put your baby’s toys into your dishwasher. Of course, only toys that do not have batteries or electrical cords are safe to be put into the dishwasher. Most importantly, the toys should indicate if they can be cleaned safely in the dishwasher.
Consider using a lingerie bag or dishwasher container if you have a bunch of smaller toys that need to be washed in the dishwasher, so they don’t all get separated during the wash cycle.
Boil Toys on Stove
An easy way to sanitize and clean your baby’s toys is by boiling them right on your stove. Again, you can only use this method for hard plastic toys without batteries or cords. Additionally, you want to make sure that there is no label that indicates you should not boil them prior to doing so.
Use Soap & Water
Just like when you wash your hands, soapy, warm water is a great and effective way to get rid of the germs on your baby’s toys. This is a great alternative to cleaning toys that cannot be boiled or put into the dishwasher. Wooden toys can also be cleaned by wiping them down with soap and water.
To clean in between mall spaces and cracks, use a toothbrush or a cloth. After you clean them with soap or water, you can disinfect the toys by using a mixture of water and alcohol. The solution should be rinsed off after about a minute using just water.
You may also want to consider using a steam cleaner or even using the washing machine if you are trying to wash stuffed animals. Whichever technique you decide to use to wash your baby’s toys, remember that it is imperative you slow down the spread of germs by keeping their toys sanitized as often as you can.
