Bath toys are an engaging way to make bath time fun for your child. You may think that playing with toys in soapy bath water would keep them clean, but bacteria and germs can grow on wet bath toys, making it important to clean them separate from the bath water. According to Kimberly Delaney, author of "Knack Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping," you should clean bath toys once a month to get rid of germs and bacteria that could make your child sick.
Step 1
Drain bath toys and allow them to dry. Dry bath toys will not be able to grow as much bacteria, mold, mildew or germs, says Tara Aronson, author of "Mrs. Clean Jeans' Housekeeping with Kids: Family Pickup Lines (and Household Routines) That Work with Less Work from You." Lay your child's bath toys along the edge of the tub or in a dishpan to air dry. Squeeze all the water out of the toys to help speed the drying process.
Step 2
Fill your bathtub, a sink, a large bowl or a bucket with water and white vinegar. Use a half cup of vinegar for each gallon of water you use, recommends Delaney. If you only have a few toys a bucket or sink will work well and use less water. If you want to wash all your child's bath toys at one time, the bathtub allows you to wash them quickly and easily without a large mess.
Step 3
Put the bath toys into the water and white vinegar solution. Allow them to soak for at least ten minutes, writes Delaney. The white vinegar will get rid of mold, mildew and bacteria so the toys are once again safe for your child to play with. Make sure all surfaces of each toy are submerged in the water to ensure that all parts of each toy come clean.
Step 4
Remove each toy from the water and vinegar solution and wipe the outside surfaces with a damp cloth. Wiping each individual toy will allow you to remove any dirt or grime that is left behind after soaking, says Delaney. Squeeze each toy to remove any leftover water from inside.
Step 5
Air dry the toys so they are ready for your child's next bath. Aronson recommends using a net to keep all the bath toys in one place and to allow them to drip dry after each cleaning. You can also lay them out in a single layer on a towel or the edge of the bathtub so they can dry completely.
Tips and Warnings
- Encourage your child to help prevent the buildup of bacteria, germs, mold and mildew by teaching him to squeeze water out of his toys at the end of the bath. Store toys to dry rather than leaving them on the bottom of the bathtub to put away later.
- If you notice any mold or mildew on your child's toy that does not get removed from cleaning with water and white vinegar, throw it in the trash.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- White vinegar
- Bath toys
- Bowl, sink or bucket
References
- "Knack Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping"; Kimberly Delaney; 2008
- "Mrs. Clean Jeans' Housekeeping with Kids: Family Pickup Lines (and Household Routines) That Work with Less Work from You"; Tara Aronson; 2004
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