If you would like your babies to enjoy some care-free playtime, ensure that the toys are cleaned and disinfected properly. Unclean toys can spread germs and cause infections. Clean your babies’ toys every alternate day. Babies are messy. They have frequent spit ups. It is possible that some residue lands up on your child’s favourite soft toys. Know how to clean a teddy bear or soft toys to enjoy some much-deserved peace of mind.
Here are some effective cleaning tips to help you keep all your baby’s toys clean and shiny.
1) Treat the Stains on Soft Toys
If there’s a milk or juice spill on the soft toys, treat it as soon as possible. Scrape off the excess liquid and dampen the stained area. Grab a microfibre cloth and pour a few drops of laundry detergent on it. Dab the microfibre cloth on the stain. Get rid of the detergent using a damp sponge. Dry the soft toys in a shaded place with good air circulation.
2) Wash Soft Toys in a Washing Machine
Before you toss your soft toys in a washing machine, read the care label instructions. Stuffed toys made of natural fibres such as wool or stuffed with foam cannot be machine washed. Put the soft toys in an old pillow case to keep it protected from the friction of a wash cycle. Use a liquid detergent and run the machine on a hand wash or delicate cycle. You can use Surf Excel Matic Liquid, which is specially formulated for washing machines and is easily available in the market. It helps maintain your washing machine’s life. Do not run the dryer on your child’s soft toys. Let them air dry in a shaded place, away from direct sunlight.
3) Hand Wash the Soft Toys
Fill a bowl with room temperature water. Do not use hot water as it can damage the soft toys material. Add 2 tbsp. of laundry detergent. If you prefer to hand wash your child’s stuffed toys, you can use a detergent powder such as Surf Excel Easy Wash. It is easily available in the market. Soak the soft toys in the bowl for 2 minutes and gently scrub the fur to remove any dirt or stains. Soak the soft toys in plain water and squeeze it to remove excess moisture. Now, wrap your child’s soft toys in a towel and let it dry.
4) Wash Plastic Toys
Add 2 drops of dishwashing liquid in a bowl full of lukewarm water. Wipe the toys clean with this soapy solution. Remove the soap layer using a damp cloth.
Please ensure that you remove the batteries of your child’s toys before cleaning them. Do not soak electric toys in water.
It is also advisable to keep stuffed toys with a lot of buttons or other kinds of embellishments away from the machine.