Can you use vinegar to disinfect baby toys?
Sadly, it’s not the best option. Don’t get us wrong, vinegar is a wonderful multi-purpose cleaner, largely due to its acidic properties, and we recommend it for almost everything. As a disinfectant though, it has limited effectiveness. It only works on certain types of pathogens such as E.coli, Influenza, and a few others. Ergo, it is not a good way to clean baby toys, as there is a risk you could be leaving behind a host of unwanted ickiness.
Can you use bleach to disinfect baby toys?
You can, actually. As long as you make sure the items are carefully rinsed and fully dried before giving them to the baby. Bleach works as a powerful disinfectant and does an excellent job of killing germs and bacteria from surfaces. Keep in mind that for bleach to work efficiently, it needs to be diluted with water. Try mixing half a cup of bleach per gallon of water to make a solution. Soak the toys for about five minutes and then rinse thoroughly to ensure all the bleach is washed off. Allow the toys to fully air dry before use.
How do you clean baby toys with batteries?
Toys with battery packs cannot be submerged in water, unlike other toys. Therefore, they present a cleaning challenge, which can make it seem more difficult than it is. The easiest way to clean a battery operated, hard plastic baby toy is with the help of a good disinfecting wipe. You can also make a cleaning solution using water and a small amount of dish/laundry detergent, and use a washcloth dipped in this solution to scrub the toy clean. In the case of battery operated stuffed toys, try the same method of using a washcloth dipped in cleaning solution to spot clean the toy. Just be sure to remove the batteries first!
How do you disinfect wooden baby toys?
Wood is naturally antibacterial, but it is also porous. That means that while it will repel bacteria all on its own, it could still absorb dirt and other grime and debris. The best way to clean a wooden toy is using warm water and a washcloth. If the toy is exceptionally dirty or stained, you could use a cleaning solution made with soap instead of plain water, and scrub with the washcloth gently. You can also use a mild disinfecting wipe to clean the toy, especially if it’s only slightly dirty or just needs a quick wipe down.
Are disinfectant wipes safe for babies?
There are many types of disinfecting wipes available. Whether or not they are safe for baby toys depends on their ingredients. Look for a disinfectant wipe that uses natural and environmentally clean materials, as it will have little-to-no harsh or toxic chemicals.
What are the best baby-safe disinfecting wipes?
We might be partial, but here are a few of our favorites:
Learning how to clean baby toys effectively is an important job as a parent. Obviously you can’t escape germs entirely, but you can certainly make sure your baby’s toys are as clean as possible. The best part is that it’s much easier than you think!
