Simple Steps On How to Disinfect and Clean Toys Safely and Easily

Disinfect and clean toys – fabric, plastic, wooden and bath toys.

I’ll be honest. Pre Covid, the last thing I was worrying about as a sleep deprived mom was how to clean and disinfect toys.

With my baby teething and going through sleep regression and a bored child who was no longer going to school, I had enough on my plate.

Mustering the energy to disinfect and clean toys was not something that made it very high on my list of priorities.

Post pandemic, everything’s changed.

As a side note: while us moms are busy trying to psychotically disinfect every inch of the house, our little ones are busy licking door knobs and picking things to eat out of the garbage can.

So. Before i get to the ‘how’ part, let me first convince you that yes, this is something well worth your time.

And you should go do it right after reading this post before you get lazy and put it off for tomorrow (which means you’ll never end up doing it).

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Why should you disinfect and clean toys?

“Washing and disinfecting toys and surfaces helps reduce the spread of germs. Have a bin for dirty toys that is out of your child’s reach. When a toy becomes dirty, such as after a child has played with it and put it in his or her mouth, put it in the bin.” (Healthlink British Columbia)

It’s also important to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.

Cleaning refers to removing germs by using soap and water to wash off dirt and grime from a toy

Disinfecting goes a step further and kills most of the germs on the toy and prevents them from reproducing

According to the Center for Disease, both of these work together. First you clean toys and get rid of surface dirt and thereafter disinfect them.

How to disinfect and clean toys?

The way you disinfect and clean toys will depend on the material it’s made of and manufacturer’s recommendations.

Here are some broad categories you can divide toys into:

1. Fabric toys
2. Plastic/rubber toys
3. Wooden toys
4. Bath toys

How to disinfect and clean fabric toys?

Stuffed toys, fabric books and cuddly blankies are all usually safe to put in the washing machine and dryer.

Before doing so however, it’s best to first check the care label to see the manufacturer’s recommendations on cleaning it.

I would not put the plush toy in the washing machine if it:

– is battery operated
– plays music
– has small delicate parts and accessories that can’t be removed
– is old and worn out
-has glued on items such as frills or sequences

If the toys don’t have any of the above, go ahead and toss them in the washing machine.

How To Clean Toys in Washing Machine and Dryer:

– Set aside a bin or mesh bag that’s just for storing dirty toys

– Protect the fabric toy by first putting it in a pillow case and tying it up

– Use the gentle cycle and cool water (do not use hot water)

– You can use a regular detergent. I would prefer to use a baby friendly detergent ie scent and dye free

– Use the low heat setting in the dryer. Other options for drying include using a hair dryer or leaving them out in the sun

– Wash same colored toys together. You never know, the color may run. Your 4 year old won’t be too happy if her white teddy bear comes out of the washing machine with pink spots

How to disinfect and clean plastic and rubber toys?

Check to see if the plastic toys are dishwasher safe. Hard plastic toys such as blocks and Lego normally are. (I would not recommend putting soft plastic or rubber toys in the dishwasher).

Place the toys in the top rack of your dishwasher using a natural dishwashing detergent.

You can use the normal cycle (or the sanitizing cycle if you have that option). Then use the heated cycle to ensure the toys are completely dry.

As for toys that can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher, they can be cleaned and disinfected manually.

Start off by cleaning the toy with lukewarm water and soap in the sink, a plastic bowl or bath tub. If the toy is particularly grimy, you can use an old toothbrush to clean from the crevices.

Then rinse it off with clear water and dry it with disposable paper towels. There, you’re done with the cleaning part.

To disinfect, prepare a diluted bleach solution. Use the proportion of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water.

This is VERY important. Using bleach to disinfect toys is only safe if you prepare a weak solution using this exact proportion.

Immerse the toy in this diluted solution for about 10 minutes. Then rinse it off thoroughly and let it air dry. There, all done.

How to disinfect and clean wooden toys?

I love wooden toys. They blend beautifully with your home decor without creating that bright, cheap look plastic toys give off. They also connect your child to nature and are simple to keep clean.

Wood actually has natural antibacterial properties and so accumulates less germs than plastic or rubber toys.

Start off by spraying the toys with a gentle cleanser. This could be a non toxic all purpose cleaner diluted with water or even a vinegar solution (one part vinegar to ten parts water).

Note: you shouldn’t use bleach or anything that contains harsh chemicals as that will cause the wood to dry out.

Take a washcloth and wipe the surface with warm water. Then let the toys air dry completely. Laying them out in the sun will help kill off some more germs and dry them more quickly.

Note: never leave wooden toys to soak in a water solution. The shape of the toy can warp. Also, if it absorbs too much moisture it may become a breeding ground for more bacteria.

Pro tip: to keep your wooden toys in great condition, you can replenish the moisture once in a while. Simple olive oil or beeswax polish are both non toxic ways to do so.

How to disinfect and clean bath toys?

My kids love bath toys. It’s literally the only way to get them excited about bath time and prevent bath time tantrums.

The problem with some of the squeeze bath toys like rubber duckies is that they never fully dry out from the inside. And so they’re an ideal place for growing mold.

Related Posts:

Handling a cranky toddler who hates bath time

15 Best Bath Toys For Toddlers That Are Educational and Fun

Numerous studies show that bath toys are one of the germiest items in your house!

Rather than deal with icky, moldy bath toys, it’s best to take steps to ensure that mold doesn’t grow on them to start with.

Clean Bath Toys with Vinegar

First, make sure to squeeze out all the water from them after every bath. Next, use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts warm water to make a solution.

Submerge the toys in this solution for at least 10 minutes. Then wash them thoroughly with running water and let them air dry completely.

It’s best to store them in a container outside the bathroom (as the humid temperature in the bathroom can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold).

Pro tip: if you see the first signs of molding on bath toys, just chuck them out. No matter how much you clean them from the outside, there’s still the risk that some mold is still left in an inside crevice

Pro tip: to save yourself all the hassle (and grossness), I’d suggest getting bath toys that don’t have holes. That way water can’t seep inside, your kids get to enjoy bath time and you don’t need to worry about mold floating in the bath tub!

And there you have it. Safe and effective ways to disinfect and clean toys that you won’t regret spending time on.

So put down your phone NOW and go get those toys cleaned up.

Do you want bath time to be a time of fun and relaxation for your toddler AND yourself? These are the bath time products parents are loving:

Anti Slip Bath Mat – prevent your child from slipping and injuring themselves in the bath tub

Spout Cover – prevent bumps and bruises

Bath Keeler – plush cushioning for your aching knees

Bath Themometer – prevent scalding with this safety themometer (bonus: turns into a floating bath toy too!)

If you’re a toddler parent you might enjoy these posts too:

5 Insanely Creative Ways To Teach a Toddler to Clean Up | Cleaning With Kids

The Ultimate Guide to Toddler Proofing Your Home – Safety Hacks That Work

12 Easy Toddler Activities to Keep your Toddler Out of Trouble | No Prep Indoor Activities