Last updated on August 20th, 2022 at 12:14 am
We get questions about how to safely clean toys at least once a week. So I thought I’d share with you a quick and simple DIY toy cleaning recipe.
I really believe that people are getting overly paranoid about germs. The thing is, I understand. I felt it too. The uncertainty and the debating over getting flu vaccines. The worrying that our kids or us would get some horrible sickness and spread it to our families.
But I firmly believe that over-sanitizing and chemicals like MicroBan-ing everything we touch is unhealthy for us in the grand scheme (not to mention MicroBan and Triclosan could be endocrine disruptors).
Germs are good. Building immunity is good. Inconvenient, but good. But again, I get it. No one wants to get sick. However, a certain level of cleanliness is important.
Periodically cleaning your child’s toys isn’t a bad idea as long as you do it safely.
True, there are currently safer cleaning products on the market. You may have seen the commercial of the mom washing her child’s bottles and toys in a bleach and water mixture in the sink if that’s your bag, fine. But I think it’s overkill. There are less toxic methods of toy cleaning.
Safe DIY Toy Cleaner Recipe:
Instead of sanitizing, think of it as more or less like eliminating surface dirt. Some toys you may be able to run through the dishwasher. Others might need a quick soap and water soak in the tub/sink. While some toys may only be able to tolerate a wipe-down with a cleaner and soft cloth.
Here’s a recipe for a spray bottle DIY toy cleaner you can use to wipe down toys and teethers.
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Distilled White Vinegar
- 6 drops of Tea Tree Oil (natural antiseptic qualities)
Mix together in a re-purposed spray bottle and either spray directly on toys or spray onto a soft cloth to wipe things down.
How To Safely Clean Stuffed Animals:
These can harbor dust mites and dust, so a good way to kill that process is to put them in an airtight bag and stick them in the freezer for a few hours to kill any dust mites. Most stuffed animals you can also stick in the washing machine if they are made from cotton or polyester and they’ll be just fine. If you are uncertain if it can withstand the washing machine, call the manufacturer.
