How to Clean Baby Toys Non-Toxic

It’s not just the plastic toy that needs cleaning; it’s everything else too. We will show you how to do it safely and efficiently at home.

Properly cleaning their toys is the first step in protecting your child from potentially harmful bacteria.

You don’t want a toddler or young child coming down with something like salmonella, which can cause a fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea, so you’ll want to keep them clean and sanitized as much as possible.

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How Do You Disinfect Children’s Toys Naturally?

One of the simplest options is washing the toys in warm, soapy water. This method works best for items made mostly of nylon, acrylic, leather, and wool.

However, it won’t work for items made out of plastic because it’s not strong enough to get rid of bacteria.

To disinfect toys made out of plastic, you’ll need to soak, rinse and dry them.

To ensure you’ve done the job right, you’ll want to test the toys after soaking them in a bowl or sink full of hot water. If the toys come out clean and free of markings, dirt, or mold, you know they’re ready to be rewashed.

If you’re looking for another option, you can try using a mixture of vinegar and water to disinfect your toys.

Some brands offer vinegar as a cleaner, while others are designed specifically for cooking or disinfecting. Make sure to read the label on each bottle you pick up.

Before adding the vinegar to a water bath, you’ll want to add a drop of dishwashing detergent, like Dawn Liquid Dish Soap.

Doing so activates the vinegar, ensuring that the vinegar gets into every nook and cranny of your toys.

Vinegar is a safe way to disinfect toys, but it’s not the only option. There are plenty of alternatives that you can make yourself at home.

Here are some ideas:

Boil water in a large pot. Once the water boils, remove it from the heat and pour it over your toys. Let them soak for 15 minutes. Remove the toys and let them air dry.
Fill a spray bottle with hot water and a drop of soap. Spray the toy, rinse and repeat.
Pour a cup of white vinegar into a bowl full of hot water. Mix well. Dip the toys into the bowl and let them soak for about 30 seconds. Rinse the toys and let them air dry. Repeat this process as many times as needed.
Some toys are dishwasher-safe in normal and sanitized settings. Check manufacturer recommendations before choosing this option.

What Should You Wash Baby Toys with?

Now that you know how to disinfect toys, you need to know what type of product you should use. Most people choose to purchase disposable cleaning wipes, wipes with antibacterial properties, or sprays meant to kill germs on toys.

There are a lot of different wipes to choose from. They range from single-use wipes to reusable cloths that you can throw away after cleaning your toys.

Some wipes are made with antibacterial agents, while others can wipe away dirt and grime from your toys.

Sprays are also popular. Some of these sprays claim to kill germs, while others are just meant to clean toys.

These sprays are typically sold in a box with multiple bottles that you can fill up and reuse.

And finally, you can also check out hand sanitizers, which are easy to carry around and effective against a wide variety of germs.

Is Vinegar Good for Cleaning Baby Toys?

Many people swear by it. Vinegar can help disinfect toys in two simple ways. First, it removes stains and odors. Second, it kills the bacteria that cause illness.

Plus, it’s gentle enough to use on delicate fabrics, including clothing and baby blankets.

However, you should be aware of a few things when using vinegar as a cleaning agent. Many online recipes recommend mixing vinegar with baking soda to remove stains.

Although this is effective, it can damage certain fabrics. Also, since vinegar is acidic, you wouldn’t want to mix it with anything containing metal, like jewelry and scissors.

Finally, if you plan to use vinegar to disinfect toys, there are a few things you shouldn’t do. You don’t want to submerge the toys in the vinegar itself.

Instead, it would be best to immerse the toys in a solution of vinegar mixed with water.

How Often Should You Wash Soft Toys?

The frequency you need to wash your child’s toys depends on where they live. For example, if they spend a lot of time outside, they will likely need to be cleaned more frequently.

On average, soft toys should be washed once every week.

That said, there are exceptions. If you find that your child is constantly dropping toys or that they leave toys everywhere, it’s worth investing in some extra care.

Soft toys are especially vulnerable to bacterial growth. When left wet or dirty, they can quickly become infested with microorganisms.

So, if you’re worried about your child being exposed to germs, you might want to wash them routinely.

Some toys may require more frequent washing than others. And some toys are more prone to becoming covered in dirt due to their size or shape.

In these cases, you might need to wash them more often to ensure that the toy remains clean. That said, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to washing toys.

As for how long you should soak toys, most manufacturers suggest at least five minutes, followed by air drying after washing.

If you’re concerned that the toys are drying too slowly or faster than expected, you can hang them up to dry. Just make sure to place a towel between each item, so they don’t touch each other.

Remember that toys are porous, and they trap dust and dirt inside.

Vacuuming when possible, using forced or canned air, cleaning cloths, or even Q-tips for hard-to-reach areas are excellent options.

And, to prevent mold and mildew, you should store dry toys in a cool, dark location.