How To Sanitize Baby Toys

How to sanitize baby toys?

1. Machine Washing
2. Soap and Water
3. Disinfectant Wipes
4. Bleach and Water
   

Are you a new parent who doesn’t know how to sanitize baby toys? No need to be ashamed! Most parents don’t think about the maintenance of baby toys right away — they have so many more important things to think about like milk, diapers, and a crib! But now, you realize that the things that spend the most time in your baby’s mouth, even more than food, are their toys.

We all know the dangers of germs, and we all want to protect our babies from any unwanted diseases. Sure, getting exposed to a few of them might be beneficial for strengthening the baby’s immune system, but we should never be carefree and let them play with dirty toys that may have been on the dirty ground.

Here, we’ll help you learn about the ways you can clean and disinfect your baby’s toys to keep them safe from disease. To learn more about this, keep reading below!

When To Sanitize Your Baby’s Toys

Generally, baby toys should be cleaned regularly. Toys are most likely played with often, so you should follow up with regular cleaning as well. The time it takes before a toy is lined up for a good cleaning varies on the type of toy there is. 

Hard and plastic toys that are easier to maintain should be sanitized weekly if your child plays with them daily. Most other toys should also be cleaned at least once a week, even plush toys and electronic toys. The important thing is that you always pay attention to the needs of your baby. Whenever the toys get splashed on, fall on the dirty ground (like outdoors), or if other children play with the toys, you have to clean them up right away. You also need to sanitize toys immediately if your baby falls ill.

How To Sanitize Baby Toys

There are different methods that you can use when you have to disinfect your baby’s toys. It’s important to remember that some methods are good for some types of toys while others are not. But as long as it cleans the toy, doesn’t damage anything, and keeps the baby safe, everything should be fine. Here are some safe cleaning methods for your baby’s toys:

1. Machine Washing

Some toys are easy enough to clean that you can simply stick them in the washing machine or dishwasher and your work is done. But be critical of the toys that you put in these machines as not all toys can be cleaned this way. Some toys are labeled to be dishwasher safe. If you see this label, then the toy can be put into the dishwasher and you can use the regular dishwashing detergent. The combination of the detergent and the heated cycle will successfully eliminate mold and bacteria. If your dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle, you can use that to eliminate almost all kinds of germs.

2. Soap and Water

Perhaps the most obvious method, washing some toys with soap and water can be enough cleaning to keep your child safe from disease. Plastic toys, building blocks, and other toys without any electrical parts should be safely cleaned in the sink with a disinfectant soap and water. Just make sure that you properly wipe or air dry the toy after washing to prevent the formation of molds and other fungi.

3. Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes are great for cleaning baby toys that can’t be put in a washing machine or dishwasher like electrical toys. You simply have to use a trusted brand of disinfectant wipes and wipe the whole surface of the toy down. Make sure to cover even the smaller parts that babies might put in their mouths. After wiping the whole toy, use a different cloth that’s soaked with clean warm water to wipe it down again. This rinses any alcohol or other chemicals in the disinfectant from the toy.

4. Bleach and Water

It may seem counterintuitive at first, but using the right solution of bleach and water is a good method to sanitize your baby’s toys. In a clean container, mix half a cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Bleach is obviously a powerful compound that can kill harmful microbes. Use this solution and clean paper towels to sanitize your toys. Then, rinse the toys thoroughly and allow them to air dry completely before letting the baby play with them again.

Key Takeaway

Baby toys take the brunt of a baby’s playfulness. It’s almost impossible that they never get thrown away, vomited on, stepped on, or put into undesirable places. That’s why knowing how to sanitize baby toys is a crucial skill for any parent.

Cleaning toys is one thing, getting the right ones for your baby is another. At Funtastic Stuff, we have baby toys and accessories that are made of non-toxic materials and are all safe to use! Shop for the best baby toys with us through this link!