Toddlers often find their first best friends in their toys, but they tend to put everything in their mouth. This can lead to your child ingesting harmful disease-causing germs. It is especially important to disinfect your baby’s toys when the primary caregiver or anyone else in the family is unwell. At other times, clean your kids’ toys once a week.
Here are some tips to disinfect your child’s toys effectively. However, before we get started, ensure that you’ve read the manufacturer’s instructions or care label on the toys carefully.
1) Disinfecting Plastic Toys
You can wash your tiny tot’s plastic toys using a mild detergent that has disinfecting properties, and warm water. In a bucket of warm water, add 1 tbsp. of mild detergent and drop all the toys in it. Wait for 20 minutes and gently hand-wash. Dry the toys using a clean towel.
For battery-operated plastic toys, wipe them dry with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Then wipe with another dry cloth. Just ensure that you remove the batteries before washing.
2) Disinfecting Wooden Toys
Prepare a mixture using 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water, and 3-4 drops of detergent. Soak a sponge in this solution and wipe the wooden toys with it. Now, take a clean damp towel and wipe off the soapy solution. Let the toys air-dry.
3) Disinfecting Fabric Toys
You can spot-clean your baby’s stuffed animals with baby wipes. Or you can also put them in your washing machine on a gentle cycle, using a mild detergent. Do not use the dryer. Let them dry in direct sunlight. Be careful not to wash your battery-operated toys.
4) Disinfecting Bath Toys
Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing ½ bucket of hot water and 1 cup of white vinegar in equal parts. Soak the toys in this solution for 20 minutes. Wash them with clean water.
5) Disinfecting Metal Toys
Add 1 tbsp. of diluted bleach in a bucket of water. Soak the metal toys in this solution for 10 minutes. Then, wash them with plain water and let the toys air-dry. Remember to use rubber gloves when using bleach.
6) Disinfecting Rubber Toys
Soak a cleaning cloth in a bowl of white vinegar and water mixed in equal proportions. Wipe the rubber toys with the cleaning cloth and let them air-dry.
Use these easy tips to keep your little one safe and healthy!