Maya Ellison
It is important to wash new plastic toys before giving them to children, as they will likely end up in their mouths. The best way to clean plastic toys is to wash them with warm, soapy water. This is an effective method for general cleaning. For a more natural approach, use a solution of one part vinegar to ten parts water. This mixture is especially good for removing grime without harming the toys. To clean plastic toys with hard surfaces, consider using the dishwasher. If the toys have holes in them, squeeze them to ensure the cleaning solution gets inside.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of cleaning | Clean plastic toys weekly if they are played with daily |
| Cleaning solutions | Bleach, vinegar, soap and water, child-safe cleaner, baking soda, alcohol, plant-based disinfectants |
| Cleaning methods | Wash in the sink, dishwasher, washing machine, UV sterilizer, hand wash, wipe with cloth, toothbrush, or cotton swab |
| Drying methods | Air dry, tumble dry, dryer, hair dryer |
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What You'll Learn
How to wash plastic toys
Plastic toys are among the most common and durable types of toys. They can be easily cleaned with gentle dish soap and water. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wash plastic toys:
- Gather the toys you want to clean and sort them by size and type.
- Fill a basin or sink with warm water and add a few drops of gentle dish soap.
- Submerge the toys in the soapy water and agitate them gently to remove dirt and grime. Use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach areas and stubborn stains.
- Rinse the toys thoroughly with clean water until all soap residue is removed.
- Allow the toys to air dry completely on a clean towel or rack.
For solid plastic toys without electrical components or air holes, such as rubber rings, animal figures, and building blocks, you can also use a dishwasher:
- Nestle large toys securely between the tines in the rack and put small toy pieces into a mesh bag to prevent them from moving around too much with the water spray.
- Select the normal or sanitizing cycle with heated dry.
- Thoroughly air or towel dry any toys that are still wet after the cycle.
If you are looking for a natural, plant-based alternative to chemical disinfectants, you can use products like Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, which kill germs with thymol, a component of thyme oil. These wipes are registered by the EPA, but they work more slowly than traditional disinfecting wipes. The surface needs to stay visibly wet for 10 minutes to be most effective.
For plastic bath toys, it is important to routinely rinse them with fresh water after every use to wash away residual soap and dirt. Implement a weekly deep clean by soaking the toys in a mixture of one part bleach to ten parts water for about five minutes. Rinse them thoroughly with clean water afterward and allow them to air dry entirely, preferably in a well-ventilated area or under direct sunlight, to prevent mold growth.
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Cleaning stuffed toys
When it comes to cleaning stuffed toys, there are a few different approaches you can take, depending on the type of toy and how dirty it is.
Firstly, check the care label to see if the manufacturer has provided any specific instructions. If the toy is glued-on eyes, sequins, glitter, or other accessories that could come off in the washer, it's best to hand wash. For hand washing, fill a bucket or sink with cold water and add a mild detergent. Gently wash the toy, rinsing it thoroughly, and then leave it to air dry. You can also use a hairdryer on a low setting to dry the toy, and to fluff up the fur when it reaches the just-damp stage.
If the toy doesn't have any delicate features, you can machine wash it. Place the toy in a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase tied at the top, and wash on a gentle cycle with warm water and a slow spin. Dry the toy in the dryer on a low-heat setting, or air dry it.
For a quick clean or to remove stains, spot cleaning can be effective. Use a cloth dipped in a cleaning solution (such as vinegar, soap, and water) to wipe down the toy. You can also use a toothbrush to get into tighter spots. If you want to disinfect the toy, leave the cleaning solution on for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
If the stuffed toy has been affected by mold, you can try soaking the entire toy (including stuffing) in a bleach-water mixture (1 part bleach to 20 parts water) for about 10 minutes, rinsing it thoroughly afterward).
To remove lingering odors from stuffed toys, sprinkle baking soda over the toy and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, shake off the excess and use a vacuum to remove the rest.
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Sanitising bath toys
Bath toys are a great way to make bath time more enjoyable for young children, as well as help them practice their dexterity. However, they are extremely vulnerable to a "proliferation of opportunistic pathogens and unwanted organisms". In fact, a 2018 study found that 80% of bath toys used by children for less than three months contained at least one potentially harmful microorganism with the ability to cause eye, ear, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections.
Therefore, it is important to sanitise bath toys regularly. Here are some ways to do so:
Bleach
Bleach is a harsh chemical that can effectively kill bacteria and mould. To clean bath toys with bleach, ensure your room is well-ventilated by turning on the exhaust fan and opening the windows. Put on gloves, and optionally, goggles and a face mask. Then, fill a large tub with one gallon of water and half a cup of bleach. Submerge the toys in the mixture, giving them a squeeze, and soak for 10 minutes. After that, remove the toys from the bleach mixture and squeeze them to empty the bleach water. Finally, thoroughly rinse the toys by filling and emptying them with tap water several times.
Vinegar
Vinegar provides a gentler cleaning experience than bleach. To clean bath toys with vinegar, add equal parts vinegar to water in a large tub. Submerge the toys in the mixture, giving them each a squeeze, and soak them for at least 15 minutes. For better results, consider leaving them for 24 hours. After that, remove the toys and squeeze them to empty the mixture. Finally, rinse them with tap water.
Hot Water
If you don't have access to a dishwasher, you can fill a tub with the hottest water possible, perhaps after boiling water on the stove. Add in a few drops of biodegradable dish soap and, wearing kitchen gloves, submerge the toys in the hot water. Leave them to soak for 15 minutes, occasionally moving them around. After that, remove the toys and use a clean sponge or cloth to dry them. Finally, rinse them with warm water and leave them to air dry.
Other Methods
Other methods to sanitise bath toys include using the dishwasher, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, it is important to practise good habits such as rinsing toys with soapy water after every bath and completely squeezing out any trapped water. Giving the toys plenty of room to dry in a well-ventilated space can also help keep them sanitised.
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Disinfecting toys with vinegar
Vinegar is a great natural disinfectant that can be used to clean toys. It is food-grade and edible, so it is safe for children and babies who tend to put things in their mouths. It is also effective at removing sticky build-up and killing some germs.
To disinfect toys with vinegar, you can use a solution of one part vinegar and one part water. If you wish to cut the smell of vinegar, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the solution. For small plastic toys without batteries or electrical components, you can dip them directly into the mixture and let them soak. For larger toys or those with batteries, you can use a cloth dipped in the vinegar-water solution to wipe them down or spray the solution onto the toys and then wipe them off.
You can also use vinegar to clean toys with internal electronics. First, remove the batteries and, if possible, the electronic components. Then, use a cloth or cotton swab dipped in the vinegar solution to wipe down the toy, being careful not to get the solution into the battery casing or on/off switch. If you want to disinfect after cleaning with vinegar, you can apply a disinfectant and let it sit for about 2 minutes before rinsing with water and drying with a cloth.
While vinegar is a great natural cleaner, it may not be powerful enough to reach the sanitizing and disinfecting levels required to be recognized and registered by the EPA. If you are looking for a stronger disinfectant, you may want to consider other options such as EPA-registered disinfecting wipes or a bleach solution. However, vinegar is still a good option for everyday cleaning, especially if you are looking for a natural and eco-friendly alternative.
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Cleaning toys without water
It is important to clean new plastic toys before your child plays with them. This is because they may have been contaminated with dirt, dust, dust mites, or bacteria during the manufacturing process or while on display in stores.
Dishwasher
Solid plastic toys, like rubber rings, animal figures, and building blocks, can be cleaned in the dishwasher's top rack. Nestle large toys securely between the tines in the rack and put small toy pieces into a mesh bag to prevent them from moving around with the water spray. Select the normal or sanitizing cycle and heated dry. Ensure that the toys are completely dry before giving them to children.
Disinfecting wipes
Use disinfecting wipes, such as Clorox or Lysol wipes, to wipe down the toys. You can also use plant-based alternatives, such as Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, which kill germs with thymol, a component of thyme oil. These wipes are registered by the EPA. However, they may work more slowly than traditional disinfecting wipes, so ensure the surface remains wet for at least 10 minutes for maximum effectiveness.
Vinegar solution
Create a vinegar solution by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spritz the dirty toys with the solution and let them sit for about 15 minutes. Wipe away any remaining vinegar solution to minimize the smell. Vinegar is a good household grease cutter and can kill some germ strains, but it may not be powerful enough to reach sanitizing and disinfecting levels. You can also add essential oils, such as lemon, lavender, or tea tree oil, to the vinegar solution to enhance its cleaning properties and improve the smell.
Bleach solution
Use a mild or diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water) to wipe down the toys. Ensure that the toys are thoroughly rinsed and completely dry before giving them to children. Bleach is an effective sanitizer and disinfectant.
UV sterilizer
Use a UV sterilizer to disinfect toys without the use of water. This is especially useful for toys that cannot be washed or submerged in water, such as those with holes at the bottom that could allow water to enter and potentially lead to mold growth.
Freezer
Place the toy inside a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for at least 12 hours. Freezing can help kill dust mites and some types of bacteria. However, it is important to note that freezing is not effective against all bacteria, as some can survive freezing and "wake up" when thawed.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to clean plastic toys weekly, especially if they are played with daily.
If the toys do not have batteries or fabric, they can be washed in the dishwasher. Alternatively, you can wash them in the sink with hot soapy water or a vinegar solution. For toys with holes, squeeze the toy to allow the cleaning solution to get inside.
Yes, you can put plastic toys in a mesh laundry bag and then into the washing machine with a bit of detergent. Run the gentlest cycle with warm water.
A natural way to wash plastic toys is to use a vinegar solution. You can also use baking soda, which will deodorize the toy and help to remove dirt and grime.
