These are general guidelines for when your child is healthy. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. After they have soaked, rinse the toys thoroughly. Leave the alcohol solution on for a minute and then rinse the toys with clear water. What Sleep Products Should Parents Avoid? Always check the toys label or packaging first, though some indicate whether or not they can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher. Solid plastic toys, like rubber rings, animal figures and building blocks and bricks can easily be cleaned in your dishwasher's top rack. Our Best Tips for When Your Baby Wakes Up Too Early, Pretty Lifestyle WordPress Theme by: PDCD. Keri Wilmot is a children's toys expert and pediatric occupational therapist focusing on early childhood intervention. To help the toy survive machine-washing, place it in a pillowcase before laundering. You can also clean wooden toys by wiping them down with soap and water. What kind of toys can a 2 month old have? Southwest Human Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 86-0407179) and a qualifying nonprofit organization for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO Code: 20390). Clorox Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray. They are EPA registered, but keep in mind that they work more slowly than traditional disinfecting wipes and the surface needs to stay visibly wet for 10 minutes to be the most effective. National Library of Medicine. When washing toys in the dishwasher, you may want to put smaller pieces in a dishwasher container or lingerie bag so they dont end up all over the place at the end of the wash. Boiling is an easy way to clean and sanitize hard, plastic toys. Nestle large toys securely between the tines in the rack and put small toy pieces into a mesh bag to keep them from jostling around with the forceful water spray. These use food-grade sanitizers that are safe for babies who put items in their mouths. It's always important to clean and sanitize toys more frequently when your child is ill or has the flu and to do it all again once they've recovered. Published October 14, 2020. Toys such as plastic blocks, infant rattles, and teethers can easily be cleaned in the sink using dish soap and warm water. With a clean cloth dipped in warm soapy water and well wrung out, wipe the toy to remove any dirt and grime. Leave the alcoholic solution on for one minute and then rinse the toys with clean water. You can also check the baby care aisle of any grocery or drugstore, as you're bound to spot some bottled cleaners specifically geared toward sanitizing toys. Are You Wasting Time and Energy Using Cleaning Products the Wrong Way? Experts say this is the best way to get rid of germs. Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. For any questions, please reach out to us atcustomerservice@mustelausa.com. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1981-2022 Southwest Human Development, Incorporated. Its not surprising that those toys carry a lot of dirt and germs! Most stuffed animals can be easily washed in the washing machine. She has published 4 books. *Please note delivery estimate excludes weekends and holidays. Read the labels on stuffed animals before washing them. Whether their teething ring is on the floor, their rattler is in the dogs mouth or their dinosaur is in the dirt outside, babies and toddlers wont think twice before handling or biting down on their favorite toys when theyre ready to play. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. [Traditional to Unique], Toddler Wont Stay in Bed? "Make sure the surface of the toy is soaked for the duration of the kill time needed for sanitizing, typically a couple of minutes," Winch says. In addition to everything a parent has to worry about, how to clean the baby's toys and how often to do it is just one more thing on the list to do on days when time is already tight. The hot water and soap in the dishwasher will help sanitize and clean toys. Clorox is committed to making its website accessible for all users, and will continue to take steps necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. How do you wash bath toys in the washing machine? Use a vacuum cleaner hose or brush attachment to vacuum the dust right out of their fur. Smart Solutions to Clean Stuffed Animals and Toys, These Are the Best Bath Toys to Keep Babies and Toddlers Engaged, Help Prevent Foodborne Illness by Cleaning Your Prep Area Correctly, The Best Cleaning Wipes for Every Surface. It is safe to use isopropyl alcohol to clean baby's toys. Code FREESHIP2022. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Southwest Human Development does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, products, procedures or other information that may be mentioned in this article. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Make sure the surface remains wet for five minutes or the time required on the wipe's label and let it air dry. From blowout diapers to food disasters, mess and germs are a part of your life. Surface wipes are a great way to clean plastic toys that have batteries and cannot be placed in soap and water or the dishwasher. Simply washinghands with soap and water is a great way to prevent spreading bacteria and viruses, and it works for toys and surfaces as well. Mustelausa.com offersFREEstandard ground shipping on purchases of $40+ and over (excluding taxes). Lynn Redmile is a Testing and Product Review Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating products since 2012. Here are four simple tips to help keep a healthier home with a baby around. The beloved dancing Elmo that once uttered adorable phrases will no longer have that talent if it goes through the wash. Pay special attention to bath toys, which often have holes in the bottom. She enjoys connecting with experts in the parenting field and delivering impactful recommendations on family issues. She is also a mother of three. Wash your hands frequently, and keep your little ones hands as clean as you can with soap and water! You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Please allow7-10 days of processing timeas we are working with reduced staff along with added safety precautions for processing your orders. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Kelly Kamenetzky is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer/editor with more than a decade of experience covering the parenting and family space. Infant rattles, plastic blocks, large plastic pegs, plastic shape sorter pieces, and some bath toys can be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. While isopropyl alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is useful in many situations, it's probably not the safest option for cleaning baby toys. When water gets trapped inside, mold grows. Whatever you use to wash your little one's spit-up-on clothing is bound to do the trick. Read our, Environmentally Friendly Surface Cleaners, Stinky Toys? Passionate bacon specialist. Get cleaning tips, product updates, promotional offers and more to your inbox. To do so, place the stuffed animals in a linen or mesh bag, particularly if they are small or have any clothing on them that might get lost or damaged in the wash. "You can add vinegar to the wash cycle for sanitation purposes instead of bleach. It leaves no harsh chemicals or fumes so you can just spray and walk away. Before long, that beautiful, pristine teddy bear looks like a gnarly mess. Colorfast, plain stuffed animals and fabric books are usually safe to clean in your washing machine. After its clean, set it in the sun for a fresh-air dry or put it in the dryer on low. In general, you'll want to clean a baby toy before you try to disinfect it because many disinfecting agents don't do a good job of cleaning. In addition to cleaning toys regularly, dont underestimate the power of a good hand-washing to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. Your little ones toys travel in the car, go in their mouth, and get thrown around by their friends during playdates. Dip a cloth in a warm sudsy solution and go over the entire toy. Rinse with a cloth that you've dipped in clear water and wrung out well. In a word, no. Lets start with how often you should clean toys, and then well jump straight into our tips for getting all sorts of toys in tip-top shape. Now lets get into the nitty-gritty of how to clean the toys you have lying around your house. Besides the visible dirt and grime, toys can harbor germs, allergens or worse, mold. Run the washer on the delicate cycle, then follow up with a nice fluffing in the dryeralso set to delicate. Walkers are usually designed for babies from 4 to 16 months of age. Executive Director, Home Care & Cleaning Lab. And getting rid of nasty germs will be well worth it! When should a baby be able to walk with a push walker? You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 9 Best Laundry Hampers and Baskets of 2022, 7 Best Dishwasher Detergents for Sparkling Dishes, How to Clean Stainless Steel So It Sparkles Again, Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Choose from curated bundles or build your own. We offer flat rate FedEx SmartPost shipping on all orders for $5.95 for the contiguous United States. The 15 Best Nursery Gliders for 2022! Orders placed after this time will be fulfilled and shipped on the next business days. If your childs precious stuffed animal is too delicate to go through the washing machine or it just needs a quick freshen-up, turn to your vacuum! You are better off just washing toys in hot sudsy water to clean them. All rights reserved. If youre cleaning small, 100% plastic toys, dip them straight into the mixture and let them soak. But here at Mustela, were committed to eco-friendly solutions that are gentle and safe for your home and family from what you put on your babys delicate skin to how you clean the toys that they put in their mouth. This will remove any remnants of the cleaning solution. Keep in mind: Bath toys with holes in the bottom are particularly problematic. "Plush toys can get pretty gross pretty fast," says Winch. How to disinfect baby toys that go in mouth. What Is Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment, Mustela Achieves Prestigious B Corp Certification. To disinfect toys after cleaning with soap, wipe them or spray them with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water in a ratio of one to one. They help teach cause and effect (such as when baby presses a button and as a result, the toy makes noise) as well as engage in sensory exploration. Cloth bath toys or bath toys with holes in them require a lot more care. Some toys can help bolster fine motor skills while others assist with hand-eye coordination. Though the toys may look pretty basic, they are part of your babys first educational building blocks. As with other cleaning products, be sure to store them out of reach of babies. This is the beginning of something great. To kill bacteria and viruses on the surface, use a disinfecting wipe, an alcohol wipe, or dip a clean cloth in a mix of four teaspoons of chlorine bleach to one quart of water. Finally, allow the toys to air dry once more rather than wipe them down with a towel. Wipe down the toy using a disinfectant surface wipe. "Most people underestimate the simple power of just running those bad boys through the washer and dryer! The outside world is a virtual cornucopia of germs. Mustelas Cleansing Wipes are great to have for quick clean-ups, whether its your babys sticky hands, their dirty bottom, or a germy toy. Proud bacon fan. The Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds That Are Engaging and Fun, The Best Cleaning Toy Sets for Your Little Helpers, The Best Gifts for 4-year-old Girls, From Active to Creative, The 15 Best Toys for Babies 6 to 12 months, The 13 Best Green Cleaning Products That Work Well, The 9 Best Baby Dolls for Ages One and Up. What kind of toys does a 2-month-old need? "Toys are likely going into your babe's mouth, so you'll want to be sure to consider using a safe chemical for sanitation such as vinegar, alcohol, or peroxide," says Brandi Winch, owner of Homemaid Cleaning Service and Homemaid Home Organization. Keep them easily accessible in your diaper bag, and use one to quickly wipe a toy off after a mishap. Different toys require different cleaning methods not only to get them clean, but to keep them looking and working their best. Here's how to clean 'em in the washer: Keep in mind: Never wash plush toys with built-in battery packs, noise makers or other metal parts, as the water may damage them. Read our, Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Plush Toys, Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Plastic Toys, The 22 Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds of 2022, The 9 Best Educational Toys for Toddlers of 2022, The Best Baby Loungers for Your Little One, The Best Baby Blankets That Offer Comfort and Coziness, The Best Cleaning Toy Sets for Your Little Helpers, The 10 Best Baby Wraps and Slings for Comfortable Baby Wearing. When you dont have a lot of time to clean, use newClorox Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray. Otherwise, these toys can become a hotbed for bacteria. 1/2 cup chlorine bleach and one gallon of water. In fact, theyre so versatile that they can also be used to take off moms makeup at the end of the day! Many people clean stuffed animals and baby dolls by placing these toysin the washer and dryer. Baby toys are the props and objects that help infants advance developmentally (while also providing some entertainment!). Plus, steaming is a great way to sanitize without using any chemicals! The best bath toys for babiesMunchkin White Hot Safety Bath Ducky. Toys and play area surfaces can be sources of germs swapped between babies, toddlers, and adults. FedEx SmartPost - Flat Rate Ground (The Contiguous United States). While that remote control the baby just started playing with may look perfectly clean, its most likely teeming with germs germs that could cause illness. You must make sure that your isopropyl alcohol contains at least 70% isopropanol, be sure to follow the directions on the label. They help teach cause and effect (for example, when the baby presses a button and, as a result, the toy makes noise), as well as participate in sensory exploration. 10 Best Strollers In [2022] For Every Moms Needs! By signing up I am agreeing to the Terms & Conditions and have reviewed the Privacy Policy. Apart from this, the baby needs to be able to keep his head up quite firmly and have his feet touch the ground when he is placed in the walker, in order to use it. If youre like us at Mustela and want to use eco-friendly, safe, and gentle products around (and on) your baby, try these nine tips on how to clean baby toys to help keep your home as clean and germ-free as possible. And while you may be washing surfaces well with ordinary soap, those germs can still remain! Sturdy plush toys can be washed and dried on the sanitizing cycles, if your machines have them, but many plush toys come with care labels, so it's a good idea to check how the manufacturer recommends cleaning it, especially if the toy is new. Some toys may be labeled as being dishwasher safe. Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Find out if disinfectant wipes and disinfectant spray are baby safe when cleaning baby toys. It's both rewarding and exhausting caring for a young child while trying to keep up with every chore. To protect your babys furry friend during the wash cycle, consider tying it inside a pillowcase or placing it inside a lingerie bag. Lets face it babies like to stick germy, dirty things in their mouths.