So how do you clean baby toys? We’ll cover our top tips below!
Babies stick toys up between their faces, mouths and noses, so keeping them clean is very important! I would recommend having a routine to clean them up as otherwise they are super easy to forget. You should clean the toys every few weeks, and also whenever your little one has had a game date where the other baby may have put toys in their mouth. You should also sanitize yourself every time family or friends you regularly hang out with are sick.
Cleaning baby toys
How to clean the little stuff
dishwasher
Take the easy route if you can! For small toys without batteries, I would recommend just putting them in the dishwasher. You can just add a few drops of dish soap and do a quick cycle with hot water.
By hand
To cleanse your baby’s toys, rinse your baby’s toys with soapy water in your sink until the water runs clear. Fill a 1 gallon bucket with water (these are super cheap at hardware stores and come in handy for cleaning many things using the same method!) And 2 tablespoons of bleach. Let the toys sit in the bleach solution for a few minutes, then allow them to air dry. In this second step, the disinfection is carried out!
How to clean larger baby toys
Your baby is unlikely to put larger toys in their mouths, such as a baby walker or a play piano, as often. However, it is still very important to clean such toys. You can use the bucket method above for toys without batteries, but you’ll need a different method for anything else. My recommendation for toys with batteries is to use one of the disinfectant wipes listed below to simply wipe the toy down.
Clean plush and stuffed toys
You definitely need to know how to clean plush and stuffed toys, especially if your baby is clinging to Mr. Bunny or Teddy and cannot sleep without him. Fortunately, you can just toss these toys in the laundry with a little soap and hot water. They look like new (at least for the first year or so)! If the toy is worn out or appears fragile, I would hang up while drying. Newer toys can be tossed straight into the dryer. It also helps to throw in a few tennis balls along with the plush toys to loosen up the inner filling all around.
Safe cleaners for your toys
Of course, you want everything in your home to be clean and sanitized, but when there’s a baby around, you’ll want to use safe, non-toxic products too. Here are some of our favorite soaps, wipes, and detergents to help you clean your baby’s toys.
Babyganics Foamy Dish and Bottle Soap
Babyganics is a popular brand that makes safe products for babies. You can use this foaming detergent to clean your bottles, dishes and toys. It’s herbal, toxin-free, and tested by both pediatricians and dermatologists.
Elysium Premium Natural Baby Bottle Liquid Soap
Elysium is another soap that can be used to clean your baby’s toys. It’s antibacterial, organic, and completely parabens, alcohol, phthalate, and sulfate-free, just like the other soaps on this list. This soap is vegan too if we have moms who are looking for it!
Hello Bellow Surface Wipes
You need all kinds of towels with the little ones around the house! These Hello Bello Surface Wipes are perfect for wiping away large and small toys. You can also use them on your counters, high chairs, car seats, and more. They do not contain any artificial colors or fragrances and consist of vegetable substances.
Dreft Multi-Surface All-Purpose Gentle Cleaning Wipes
Dreft also makes great cleaning wipes that are safe to use around little ones. These are very similar to the Clorox Free and Clear mentioned above, but they are not fragrance-free. They have a gentle, light fragrance.
Babyganics 3X baby detergent
As for the baby toys that you are going to throw in the laundry, Babyganics 3X baby detergent is great for cleaning! It is fragrance free and formulated from herbal ingredients. It is completely safe for your baby, non-allergenic and has been tested by dermatologists. However, it still has good stain control power!
Honest baby laundry, fragrance-free
The Honest Company also makes a great fragrance free laundry detergent that you can use to clean toys in your washing machine. Just like Babyganics, it’s hypoallergenic and made from herbal ingredients while still offering stain-fighting power.
If you have any questions about babies,
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frequently asked Questions
How do you disinfect baby toys?
Take the easy route if you can! For small toys without batteries, I would recommend just putting them in the dishwasher. Another option is to fill a 1 gallon bucket with water and 2 tablespoons of bleach. Let the toys sit in the bleach solution for a few minutes, then allow them to air dry.
Can I use Lysol wipes for baby toys?
You can use Lysol wipes, but I prefer to use Hello Bello surface wipes as they are specially designed for children.
Is It Safe To Clean Baby Toys With Alcohol?
It is safe to use rubbing alcohol to clean baby toys. Use a one-to-one ratio of rubbing alcohol and water to soak them. Rinse the toys well after soaking them.
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Pin for later – cleaning tips for baby toys!
