How Often Do You Clean Baby Toys?

How to Wash and Sanitize Toys

Babies put everything in their mouths, including their toys. That's why nannies and au pairs ought to quickly clean toys that the kids put in their mouths each day with a baby wipe or dish soap and water and caregivers need to sanitize all the children's toys weekly. Don't forget to remove batteries from toys before putting them in water.

To Disinfect Plastic Toys:
Disinfect washable colorfast plastic toys with a solution of ½ cup bleach per gallon of water. Soak for five- to 20-minutes, rinse, and air dry.

To Clean Teething Toys:
According to modernmom.com caregivers should clean teething toys and other toys which babies put in their mouths using hot water and dish detergent daily. Hand wash the toys in the sink and allow to air dry. Disinfect the teething toys weekly making sure to rinse off the bleach well before allowing the teething toys to air dry.

To Clean Tub Toys:
Let tub toys dry in a net or basket after the bath. Toys that trap water need to be cleaned regularly with a diluted bleach solution, then rinsed well, and left to dry. Disinfect them weekly following the directions on how to disinfect plastic toys above.

To Clean Stuffed Animals:
Most stuffed animals can be laundered in the washing machine with a mild detergent and placed in the dryer. It's important to clean children's favorite stuffed animals once a week, especially after the child has been sick or other kids have played with their plush toys. To freshen stuffed animals between washings just sprinkle baking soda on the toys and let sit for 15-minutes. Dust off baking soda over the sink.

To Clean Play Areas:
I like to clean tables, large toys, or play areas with Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes. But caregivers can simply use a mild bleach solution by mixing one tablespoon bleach with one gallon of water. Spray the solution on the tables and large toys and rinse with a sponge and clean water and let air dry.