How to Clean Your Baby's Toys Properly

As every parent knows, their child’s favorite toys will often spend a lot of time in their mouths and hands — which means keeping them germ-free is a must. Cleaning these toys, however, can be much trickier than cleaning their clothes or bedding. After all, these toys weren’t designed to survive endless cycles in the washing machine. 

So just how are you supposed to keep your baby’s toys sanitized — and safe — for them to play with? We’ve prepared a simple guide on how to clean your baby’s toys properly (no matter what kind of toy they are) to help you out. Read on! 

How often should you clean baby toys?

That depends. Cleaning toys, much like everything else, should be on a case-by-case basis. If your kids have toys they use more often, then they should be cleaned more regularly. 

If the toy is visibly dirty — like if it has food stains on it — then you should wash it as soon as possible. Or, if someone in your house it’s sick, then it’s a good idea to clean any toys they’ve touched to prevent the spread of germs.

How to clean wooden baby toys

Wooden toys are pretty straightforward to clean. Here’s how to do it:

1. Wet a washcloth, and add a little dish soap. 

2. Use the washcloth to wipe down the toys thoroughly. Make sure to get inside every cranny.

3. Rinse the washcloth with clean water.

4. Use the washcloth to wipe away any soap residue on the toy.

5. Let the toy air dry under the sun. Let it completely dry before giving the toy back to your child. 

How to clean plastic baby toys

Plastic toys can also be fairly easy to clean. However, you have to be careful if the toy has any small holes in the bottom — which is common for bath toys. Water may get trapped inside the toy because of this opening, which allows mold to grow.

If you’re cleaning plastic toys that are like this, make sure to vigorously shake or squeeze out as much water as you can, and allow them to thoroughly dry out after your child uses them.

Any plastic toy that doesn’t have electronic parts can be cleaned on the top rack of your dishwasher — or cleaned by hand. Here’s how to clean your baby’s plastic toys by hand: 

1. Wet a washcloth, and add a little dish soap. 

2. Use this to remove any dirt on the surface of the toy.

3. Rinse the washcloth with clean water.

4. Use the washcloth to wipe away any soap residue on the toy.

5. Let the toys dry completely, before giving them back to your baby.

How to clean fabric and stuffed baby toys

Your baby’s favorite plushies, blankies, and other fabric stuffed toys are likely machine washable! Before you load them up in the laundry, however, make sure to check their tag for specific washing instructions, if any.

Here’s how to clean fabric and stuffed baby toys using a washing machine. 

1. Prepare a garment bag or an old pillowcase. This will prevent any plastic eyes, noses, or buttons these toys have from getting lost in your washing machine.

2. Put the toys in your garment bag or pillowcase, and load that into your washing machine.

3. Wash on a delicate cycle, with cold water. This will help prevent damage and wear to the toy’s fabric. 

4. Place the toys in the dryer — on low heat settings — or dry them under the sun, or with a hair dryer. If the weather is humid, then make sure that these toys dry fast to prevent mold from growing inside the toy. 

How to clean fabric and stuffed toys that can't be washed

Some fabric toys are too delicate to be put in your washing machine, while others might bleed their dye when you put them in water.

If so, then you’ll have to hand wash them or spot-wash them. Here’s how to do that:

1. Wet a washcloth with a solution of warm water and some dish soap.

2. Use the washcloth to spot-treat your toy, if the dirt or stain you’re cleaning out is small enough.

3. If you’re washing the entire toy, then use the washcloth over the entire toy.

4. Scrub in gentle, circular motions. 

5. Wet the washcloth with clean water, then scrub in the same motion until the area is less soapy.

6. Repeat these steps until the surface of the toy is clean. 

7. Rinse with clean water, and gently wring out the excess water. 

8. Air dry, or use a hair dryer until the toy is completely dry.

How to clean electronic toys

Electronic toys are a bit more difficult to clean, but they need them too. These can only take surface cleaning, however. Here’s how to do that:

1. Turn off and disconnect the toy, or remove any batteries it has before cleaning.

2. Wet a washcloth with a solution of warm water and some dish soap.

3. Wring it out thoroughly to remove any excess solution

4. Use the washcloth to wipe down the toy from any dirt and grime. 

5. Make sure to scrub over any sticky parts, around buttons, and other corners and crevices in the device — but be careful to not let any of the water or soap seep inside the toy.

6. Wipe down with a clean, dry washcloth, and let air dry.

You can also clean these toys with a disinfecting wipe or alcohol wipe, following the same steps. If you do, make sure to let it completely dry before giving it back to your child.

Key Takeaway

Baby toys can get pretty icky, which is concerning for parents. After all, the same toys end up in their baby’s hands and mouth! To keep their toys clean, and your little one safe from germs and bacteria, make sure to follow our simple go-to guide on how to clean your baby’s toys properly. 

Need more parenting and toy care tips? Take a look at Funtastic Stuff’s blog here — as an online store for children’s toys in the Philippines, we cover a wide range of topics you might be interested in!