Toddler toys are a haven for germ and bacteria growth which can spread rapidly and cause illness to a family. Keep your toddler’s toys clean by following these easy steps.

Classify Your Toddler’s Toys

First, you need to put your toddler’s toys on a rotation system. Divide his toys into three groups – toys your toddler is currently playing with, toys being washed or needs to be cleaned and toys already disinfected. This way, when you have to take away the toys your toddler is playing with to clean them, you will have the already sanitized toys on reserve to replace them. Not only does this help with keeping toys clean and germ-free, it also makes your toddler think new toys are arriving each week.

Follow Cleaning Instructions

There are different ways to clean toys, so see to it you know the proper way of cleaning them.

For Electric and Battery Operated Toys

Cleaning electric and battery operated toys is more complex than cleaning your toddler’s plastic toys. But, you can disinfect them by spraying a kitchen disinfectant on a clean cloth and wiping it down the toy. Make sure that the toy does not get wet, only slightly damp and then leave it to air dry.

For Plastic and Wooden Toys

Toys made of plastic and wood are the toys that often end up in your toddler’s mouth, hence, they pick up dust and germs more easily. Putting them in the dishwasher can damage the toys. The best and easiest way to clean plastic and wooden toys is by mixing equal parts of water and distilled white vinegar. Put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the toys and wipe them off. Do not worry about the smell of vinegar, it will go away once the toys are dry.

Another option is to fill a small bucket with 1 gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of bleach. Mix this together and place the toys inside the bucket. Allow the toys to sit for 30 minutes. Use a scrub brush to eliminate any dirt from the toy’s surface. Rinse well and air dry before giving them to your little one.

For Waterproof Toys

Stuffed toys and toys made of fabric are often washable. You can simply put them in the washing machine on the cold, gentle cycle. Add 1 cup of distilled vinegar to disinfect them during the rinse cycle. You can either machine dry or air dry them. Just make sure they are not exposed to heat for a long time to avoid mildew.

For toys with stains, you may use a toothpaste (make sure there is no bleach) and toothbrush to scrub the dirt, sprinkle baking soda on the stains and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before washing them or spritz some lemon juice on the stain and set it out in the sun.

For Big Toys

Large toys (e.g. play gym, playpen, play house, etc.) should also be disinfected regularly. Clean them outside and wash them with soap and water. Larger toys need less cleaning but it is still important to use a disinfectant spray on them every week to keep them clean.

Keep your toddler and your family safe from germs and illnesses by cleaning your toddler’s toys habitually. Remember, having a germ-free environment is the first step to living a healthy and fruitful life.