10 Safe Ways To Clean Baby Toys
Toys are the favorite playing things among kids that help in their cognitive development including an increase in memory, math skills, and attention. Hence, toys should be cleaned and sanitized regularly to prevent them from germs and infections.
Generally, children love to play with toys and suck them, while some also drop them on the floor, which in turn get contaminated with dust. So, to prevent them from inhaling those specks of dirt we should clean the toys carefully. As a result, there are different methods of cleaning toys that may be useful in your daily life. This article lists ten of these ways that you may find useful.
1. Wash With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Many of you may be wondering how to clean baby toys the best way to wash your baby's toy is with vinegar and baking soda since it's a more natural solution than utilizing harsh chemicals like bleach. Therefore, while washing toys, make sure you use the appropriate part of this.
To make a cleaning solution, just mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water or equal amounts of vinegar and water. If you would like to lessen the vinegar scent, you may also add an essential oil. Toys made of solid plastic should now be dipped in the liquid, let to soak, and then rinsed and dried. To clean the surface of wooden or electrical toys, moisten a cloth with the mixture.
2. Place Toys Inside The Dishwasher
The plastic toys that are safe from the dishwasher, such as hard plastic toys without batteries or electrical cables, are ideal to clean in your dishwasher's top rack. However, you should always be sure to check the label or container before cleaning.
Larger toys without any electrical elements can be washed directly on the top rack while smaller toys should be placed in a mesh laundry bag to prevent them from moving around too much while the cycle is washing. By following this instruction you may now clean your baby's toys.
3. Boil Your Baby’s Toys
Boiling baby toys in a pot of water is one of the easiest and most reasonable ways to clean them. But before washing the toy, make sure you have read the label and instructions carefully.
To clean the toys, all you will need is water, a burner, and a pot. Then, simply turn off the heat after the water has boiled and place the toys in the pot. After a few minutes, the toys should be taken out and left to dry. Therefore, use caution while using this procedure to clean toys made of soft plastic, and toys that require batteries, and electrical wires such as video games.
4. Clean With Warm, Soapy Water
This is a good method for soft plastic toys that aren't suitable for a dishwasher or hot water wash. Though, this may also be used to clean wooden toys.
This process involves wiping the toy with a cloth soaked in plain water. After that, we use a towel to clean any cracks or small spots. Later on, after cleaning the toys with soap, wipe them down with an alcohol and water solution.
5. Use A Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaner is an environmentally friendly method for cleaning your baby's toy which can successfully remove dirt, germs, and mold without the need for chemicals. Additionally, it can also speed up your usual baby toy cleaning process.
You can clean almost everything for a baby with a steam cleaner, including strollers, soft toys, and most of the smaller items. As a result, this is the most popular technique for effectively and conveniently cleaning toys.
6. Vacuum Your Baby’s Toy
A perfect technique to keep your baby's toy clean and dust-free is to vacuum it. Any dirt on the toy's surface may be carefully removed using a handheld vacuum or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush attachment.
Just make sure to use a low suction setting and be careful not to damage the toy. Regularly vacuuming your baby's toys can help maintain their cleanliness and keep them fresh for playtime.
7. Use A Mild Detergent
You should always use a baby-friendly detergent since many plush animal toys are harmed when they are washed in strong detergents. There are different formulations available in your nearby grocery store.
However, you may use a gentle sponge or scrubber in addition to the mild detergent to thoroughly clean all of the toy's corners. Then, let it air dry in the dying rack. Your plaything have been cleaned at last with this best way to clean baby toys.
8. Sanitize With Vinegar
Try using white vinegar if there is a stain on your baby's stuffed animal that just won't go away. You may directly apply some white vinegar to the stain and let it settle for a short while before throwing it in the laundry as this helps in preventing the stain and dispersing it.
Then, you may add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the rinse cycle when you're ready to wash the toy. This will also help in removing any remaining residue and further dissolving the stain. Using vinegar is an excellent way to remove stains without harming the fabric or the environment. It works far better than harsh chemical stain removers.
9. Use Cleansing Wipes
It could be a preferable alternative if you want to clean the toys quickly after they fall to the ground or are put in the mouth by a kid. Wipings are a good method of cleaning all of a baby's belongings, from a soiled diaper to a contaminated toy.
To make the toy safe for your child and to play with it again, just give it a quick clean down with an antiseptic wipe and let it air dry. If you're concerned about strong chemicals, you may choose soft cleaning wipes designed specifically for infant toys.
10. Place In The Laundry Machine
Many of the stuffed animals can be easily cleaned in the washing machines. However, the most important thing to keep in mind while washing it is to select the appropriate cycle settings and to look for any additional washing instructions on the tag.
To start, just put the machine on a gentle cycle in either warm or cool water and use a washing detergent that is suitable for babies. But be careful to insert your baby's toy inside a lingerie bag or knot it inside a pillowcase to keep it safe while you wash it. Once cleaned, either place it in the sun to dry naturally or use a low-speed dryer.
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