From a very age, children are taught to share their toys. However, if the toys are not clean, this can end up making your children sick.
It’s even worse if a sick child plays with a toy that is passed to a well child and is not cleaned in between.
Many parents are a little confused when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting their children’s toys.
Some toys may be able to be put in the dishwasher. Others may go in the washer and dryer.
Here are some tips for getting and keeping your child’s toys clean and disinfected.
How Often Should You Clean Your Child’s Toys?
It’s important to regularly clean your children’s toys. How often you clean these toys will be depend on several factors.
First of all, if you have a baby or a toddler, you will need to clean their toys after every use.
Most babies put toys in their mouths, so it’s very important to keep these baby toys clean. For older children, clean their toys as needed, or at least once a week.
Cleaning with Bleach
Many parents wonder if bleach should be used to clean their children’s toys. Bleach may be used to clean many toys, but you should only use one teaspoon of bleach to one gallon of water. Make sure you rinse the toys well to remove any trace of the bleach.
It’s not wise to use more bleach, as it won’t get the toys any cleaner. Also, make sure you don’t mix any other chemicals with the bleach or you could cause toxic fumes.
For toys that you are not sure will do well with bleach water, consider washing them in your dishwasher. For the smaller, lighter items, try using twist ties to secure them to the racks.
The Washer and Dryer
Many of your child’s stuffed animals can be put in the washer and dryer. However, some are not suitable for the dryer, as they may melt. Many of the plush toys will come out fuzzy, but not furry after being in the dryer.
Also, you need to check to see if there are any electronics in the stuffed animals before you wash them. This includes the stuffed animals that make noise.
Read the Labels
No matter which of the thousands of cleaning solutions you use, make sure you read the label thoroughly. Many of these supplies are not safe for children’s toys.
If you have a question about a specific cleaner, call the customer service number that is usually found on the bottle. If you cannot find any contact information, then avoid using the product on your child’s toys. There are also a number of green cleaners that might be safer for children.
Keep Toys Clean and Enjoy Healthier Kids
Keeping your child’s toys clean will help keep your children healthy. Avoid letting sick children and well children play with the same toys.
Always clean your baby’s toys before each use and remember to keep the bins and tubs that hold the toys clean as well.
