Alexei Volkov
Keeping your child's toys clean and sanitised is an important part of maintaining your child's health and safety. Toys are often dragged across the floor, left outside, and put in children's mouths, making them breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. The cleaning and disinfecting process will depend on the type of toy, how often it is used, and your family's overall health. Here are some ways to effectively clean your child's plastic toys and keep them in good condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning products | Hot water, soap, vinegar, bleach, disinfectant wipes, rubbing alcohol, Castille soap, delicates wash |
| Cleaning methods | Hand washing, dishwasher, washing machine, boiling, steam cleaner, soaking, spraying, wiping |
| Toy type | Plush, plastic, electronic, wooden, silicone, battery-operated, hard, soft, rubber, outdoor |
| Frequency | Every 1-2 days, weekly, monthly |
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What You'll Learn
How to wash plastic toys in the dishwasher
Plastic toys can be safely washed in the dishwasher, making for easy and effective cleaning. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wash plastic toys in the dishwasher:
Preparing the Toys
Before placing the toys in the dishwasher, nestle large toys securely between the tines in the rack. Put small toy pieces into a mesh bag or a pillowcase to keep them from clunking around or jostling with the forceful water spray.
Choosing the Settings
Select the normal or sanitizing cycle with hot water and add detergent as recommended in your dishwasher’s user manual. It is recommended to use a gentle wash cycle with regular detergent to prevent damage.
Drying the Toys
Turn off the heated dry function to avoid melting the plastic and allow the toys to air-dry. Make sure to thoroughly air or towel dry any toys that may come out of the dishwasher still wet.
Additional Tips
- Place larger items like trucks and large cars in the bottom rack and medium-size toys in the upper rack.
- Toss small toys, rattles, and blocks in the silverware basket so they don’t slip through the racks.
- For a natural cleaning agent, pour ¼- ½ cup of white vinegar into the dishwasher’s rinse dispenser.
- Do not wash toys with electrical components in the dishwasher.
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How to hand wash plastic toys
Hand washing plastic toys is a straightforward process, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, if the toy has batteries or electrical components, it is best to remove them if possible. If not, take care to avoid getting these parts wet when washing the toy.
Next, prepare a solution of warm water and soap. You can use a quarter teaspoon of castile soap or a delicate wash in 2 cups of water, or use a commercial disinfectant spray or wipe. If opting for a natural disinfectant, a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar is an effective option.
Now, you can begin to clean the toy. Dip a cloth into the soapy water and go over the entire toy, rinsing the cloth as needed. Alternatively, spray or wipe the toy with your chosen disinfectant. If there are any stubborn areas of dirt, use a toothbrush to gently scrub them away.
Finally, rinse the toy with a clean, damp cloth and fresh water, and roll it in a towel to remove excess moisture. Leave the toy to air dry, or use a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up the process.
Remember to clean plastic toys at least once a week, especially if they are frequently played with or mouthed by children.
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How to wash stuffed toys in the washing machine
To wash stuffed toys in the washing machine, check the care label and test the fabric to ensure it can be washed safely. If the toy has glued-on eyes, sequins, glitter, or other decorations, it may be best to hand wash. Otherwise, place the toy in a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase knotted at the top. Put the bag and toy into the washer and launder on a delicate cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. You can also add a vinegar solution to the rinse cycle to remove any detergent residue and deodorize the toy.
Once the cycle is complete, remove the toy from the bag and reshape it by gently working out any balled-up batting with your fingers while it is still damp. Hang the toy to air dry, as the heat from a dryer can damage the toy.
For older or more fragile toys, hand washing is recommended. Fill a bucket or sink with cold water and add a mild detergent. Gently squeeze the toy to saturate it with detergent, then refill the bucket or sink with clean water and squeeze the toy gently to rinse out the detergent. Avoid wringing the toy or using hot water, as this may damage the fabric. Gently roll the toy in a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture, then lay it out to air dry.
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How to wash battery-operated toys
Battery-operated toys can be tricky to wash because they are electronic, and water and electronics do not mix. Even small droplets of water can cause permanent damage to the toy's electrical components. Therefore, it is important to take extra care when cleaning these toys.
Firstly, check the manufacturer's label for detailed washing instructions. If the toy is machine washable, place it in a pillowcase or laundry bag before putting it in the machine. Use a moderate detergent and a gentle cycle, and avoid using fabric softener or bleach.
If the toy is not machine washable, you can gently scrub it with a damp cloth and a mild soap solution. Be careful not to get the stuffing wet. It is also important to remove the batteries from the toy before washing to protect the electronics. You can also use a delicate wash towelette for any stubborn stains or grime.
To clean battery corrosion, put on disposable gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from exposure to battery corrosion. If the toy has removable batteries, carefully remove them using a screwdriver. Move to a well-ventilated area and use white vinegar, baking soda, water, and a soft toothbrush to scrub away the corrosion.
Additionally, to clean the outside of the toy, you can use hot soapy water and a garden hose to rinse it off. You can also use sanitizing wipes or a natural cleaning solution of equal parts water and white vinegar.
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How to wash bath toys
To wash bath toys, it's important to first squeeze out as much water as possible from the toys after each bath. Set them somewhere to dry quickly, such as along the side of the tub. Turn on the bathroom exhaust fan for 15 to 20 minutes to draw out humidity and help the toys dry faster.
To clean bath toys, you can use hot soapy water, vinegar, bleach, or a dishwasher. Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that dissolves soap scum and gets rid of stains. Fill a bucket with equal parts vinegar and warm water (and a few drops of tea tree or lemon oil, if you like). Submerge the bath toys and let them soak for an hour. Then, rinse each toy with tap water and let them air dry.
If you want to use bleach, the trick is to use a solution strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses, but weak enough to ensure no dangerous bleach lingers on toys that your child might put in their mouth. A recommended solution is 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Mix this in a bucket and submerge the bath toys for about 10 minutes. Then, rinse and let them air dry.
If you want to use a dishwasher, place small toys inside a mesh bag or pillowcase to keep them from moving around. Put the dishwasher on a normal or sanitizing cycle with heated dry. Make sure to thoroughly air or towel dry any toys that may come out of the dishwasher still wet.
For toys that cannot be washed in water, such as electronic toys, vacuum them to remove dust and dirt by slipping a pantyhose over a vacuum attachment. You can also use a lint roller.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to wash plastic toys at least once a week, especially if they are played with daily.
Place smaller toys in a mesh bag or the silverware holder to prevent them from falling through the racks. For larger toys, nestle them securely between the tines in the rack. Select a normal or sanitizing cycle with heated dry. If toys are still wet, air or towel dry them.
Wash plastic toys by hand with hot water and dish soap. You can also use a diluted bleach solution, a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water, or boiling water.
Wash electronic plastic toys by hand with hot water and dish soap. Be careful not to get any moisture near the battery box or wiring, and avoid submerging them in water.
