The germs and dirt that collect on toys present a health risk to kids, in addition to making toys look old. Young children are particularly susceptible because they often place their toys and hands in their mouths. Regular cleaning reduces the exposure children face to the germs and dirt. A cleaning routine with your toys also helps them stay in better shape and avoids a buildup of dirt that becomes difficult to remove.
Hard Surface Toys
Step 1
Fill a sink or bowl with warm, soapy water. Use dish soap to create sudsy water.
Step 2
Place the toys in the water. Scrub the surface of the toys with a washcloth, removing all visible dirt and grime. Rinse off the soap thoroughly and place the toys on a towel.
Step 3
Drain the water and rinse out the suds. Refill the sink or bowl with 1 gallon of warm water. Pour in 1/4 cup of household bleach to dilute the bleach. According to Dr. Karen Sokal-Gutierrez on the Fisher-Price website, this dilutes the water to a non-toxic level with the chlorine from the bleach evaporating in minutes.
Step 4
Place the toys into the bleach solution and leave them there for one minute. Remove the toys, and allow them to air dry on a towel or dish rack. Wipe the bleach solution on with a rag for toys that have batteries inside.
Soft Toys
Step 1
Read the care instructions on stuffed animals and other soft toys to make sure they can go in the washing machine.
Step 2
Wipe off food and other visible grime with a damp cloth.
Step 3
Place soiled stuffed animals inside a pillow case and tie the top closed. Place the toy-filled pillow cases into the washing machine. Add laundry detergent and wash the stuffed animals in warm or hot water.
Step 4
Place the toys still in the pillow case in the dryer. Run the dry on its lowest setting, checking the stuffed animals every 30 minutes, until they are dry.
Tips and Warnings
- Small plastic toys can go in the dishwasher on the top rack instead of washing by hand in soap and water. The dishwasher takes care of the disinfection stage too, so you can eliminate the bleach water step. Vinegar is an acceptable alternative to bleach for a more natural disinfecting solution.
Things You'll Need
- Dish soap
- Washcloth
- Towel
- Bleach
