Cleaning vs. Disinfecting Toys: What's the Difference?
Cleaning is about removing visible dirt from toys, while disinfecting targets unseen bacteria and spores. Mild cleaners are used for cleaning, while harsher products like bleach and hot water or steam are used for disinfection.
At Daycare
Child care workers must prioritize the safety and health of the children they care for. Introducing children to play and affection is important, but it can also lead to the spread of germs. Therefore, it is imperative that child care workers take proactive measures such as cleaning and sterilizing toys and table surfaces to minimize the risk of cold and flu infections. Failure to do so is unacceptable and could have serious consequences for the kids in their care.
When to Clean and Disinfect Baby Toys
It is important to regularly disinfect and clean a baby's clothes and toys as needed. Special care should be taken when sanitizing baby toys, as newborns are more vulnerable to germs and their immune system is not as effective as an adult's. It is crucial to ensure that the toys are thoroughly cleaned and safe for the child. Additionally, it is important to clean up toys when they fall, become covered in dust, urine, water, or food, or when the child is sick.
Disinfect Plastic Baby Toys in the Dishwasher
Solid plastic baby play toys with a porous surface or holes for storing water are safe to clean. To destroy the most harmful germs, wash with a temperature of 150°F. The sanitizing or spitting-rinsing setting gets hotter.
Whirlpool says the dishwasher kills 99.99% food soil bacteria. But when putting your baby's toys in the dishwasher, try using a soft one so the heat is not melting. It's also possible to wipe plastic children's toys with sterile water and wash them with dish detergent before washing them with a small amount of soap and water.
How to clean plush toys in the washer
Plush toys and cloth books may normally be washed in the washing machine. Sturdy plush items can be washed and dried on sanitizing cycles if your machine has them, but many plush toys come with care labels, so verify how the manufacturer suggests washing it, especially if the toy is new.
To begin, place plush toys in a pillowcase and tie the top. Choose a mild cycle with warm water and a leisurely spin.
Dry the toy (in the pillowcase) in the drying machine on low heat. Alternatively, if your dryer has a rack, remove the toy from the pillowcase and place it on the rack to dry without tumbling.
Use a hair dryer on moderate heat and speed settings for a softer approach. When the plush toys are just moist, switch to the medium setting on the hair dryer to fluff up the fur.
Disinfect Wooden Baby Toys With Vinegar
Wooden children play toys have a long lifespan and encourage hands-on learning. Wood has antimicrobial properties which are found in plastic or fabric. To disinfect wooden objects use vinegar and water. Avoid soaking wooden toys or other items in vinegar solution.
It takes more care of wood toys than you think: Putting them in warm soapy water can cause damage. Use distilled white vinegar with water to create cleansers. You can remove stubborn stains with rubbing alcohol and wash them with clean water. You could even disinfect wooden furniture using an anti-bacterial soap.
How often should I clean toys?
Keeping toys clean is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment, and the cleaning frequency should be adjusted based on usage. If your child is healthy, following standard cleaning procedures is recommended. However, if your child is sick or has the flu, increasing the frequency of cleaning and sterilization is essential. It's also important to repeat the process once they have fully recovered.
Hard plastic toys and bath toys
For optimal hygiene, it's advisable to regularly sanitize hard plastic and bath toys that are frequently used. It's recommended to also disinfect wooden toys and clean them on a weekly basis to prevent the buildup of harmful germs and bacteria. This will help maintain a safe and healthy environment for you and your loved ones.
Plush toys
Most kids love plush toys, it is imperative to note that most of them are machine washable and dryable. It is effortless to preserve their cleanliness and freshness, especially if your little ones snuggle up with them at night. Nevertheless, for those that are not machine washable, spot cleaning is the only recommended method for regular maintenance.
Baby toys
Prioritizing the safety of young children is absolutely critical, and one non-negotiable way to achieve this is by frequently cleaning the baby toys that they put in their mouths and play with on the ground. To maintain optimal cleanliness, some toys should be cleaned every one to two days, while others must be cleaned on a weekly basis. This simple yet essential task is vital for ensuring the health and well-being of your child.
Electronic toys
It is crucial to note that electronic toys can only be wiped down on their surfaces, which implies that complete sanitization may not be attainable. Therefore, weekly sanitation is imperative, particularly when a child is unwell or sick, to curtail the spread of germs and ensure their safety.
Here's how to disinfect baby toys while protecting your little ones from toxic chemicals
Fortador steam cleaner
Steam cleaning has been the favored method for cleaning and disinfecting a wide range of items in recent years, including all types of automobiles, houses, workplaces, medical institutions, and many various types of commercial companies.
Steam cleaning is ecologically beneficial since it requires little or no extra detergents or other chemicals to sterilize and deodorize a wide range of surfaces. The capacity of steaming to destroy and eliminate more than 99% of bacteria, viruses, germs, and other pathogens is its most significant advantage.
Working with a massive diesel-powered seamer, on the other hand, is not practicable for many various sorts of cleaning chores.
How to clean plush toys that can't be washed
A portable steam cleaner is a versatile tool that can be used to clean and disinfect various items in your home, including children's toys. It is important to ensure that children are not present when cleaning toys with a steam cleaner to avoid any potential harm.
The most convenient and economical method of cleaning teddy bears is using the washable machine. However, rotating machinery can alter soft play toys in some way. It is a good idea to use the Karcher steam cleaning machine. This mixture of pressure, speed and temperature ensures ultimate cleaning and disinfection of your toys and doesn't damage its shape.
Disinfect baby bath toys with a steam cleaner
A steam cleaner is a very versatile machine that will help you clean and disinfect anything in your house as well as the kids toys. To clean toys with a steam cleaner, make sure that the kids are not around you and get to cleaning.
If you are cleaning plastic toys make sure the steam is not too close to melt off the plastic. After you are done sanitizing toys, wipe them with a dry, clean cloth again.
When cleaning stuffed toys, spray with steam cleaner, use a brush attachment to make sure to get into the fibers of the toys, then wipe with dry cloth.
To clean wooden toys with a steam cleaner, do the exact things you would with plastic toys. To dry, wipe with a cloth first, and to ensure the wood is completely dry on the inside, putting it out in the sun will be a great idea.