• Overview
• Food
• Baby Care
• Hazards & Threats
• News
• Our Purpose
• Prevention
• Products
• Sustainability & Lifestyle
• All Articles
• All Videos

Blog

Like most toddlers, my son puts everything in his mouth. One of his favorite "chew toys" is his Thomas the Tank Engine. I don't know what makes that particular toy so interestingly orally tactile, but maybe he'll divulge the secret when he learns to talk.

We're very careful about what toys he plays with since we know there's a good chance they're going to get sucked on (use HealthyToys.org to find safer toys for your child). We don't want him mouthing toys that could expose him to lead or phthalates - which, unfortunately, are present in many children's products.

But even safe toys need a good cleaning now and then. Dust contaminated with pollutants like lead or flame retardants, allergens and asthmagens can all build up on them over time. Many parents reach for toxic bleach or antibacterials, but they are absolutely unnecessary and pose their own health risks. You can keep your child safe and their toys clean with some simple, non-toxic cleaning solutions.

It is generally recommended that you clean your toddler's toys about once a month. If your child has a lot of toys and you have little time, just clean the toys that are most frequently played with.

Use these tips to keep playtime pure fun.

Unfinished Wooden Toys

Regular care: Clean with a damp sponge, but do not soak - and dry off immediately afterwards. Excessive moisture can damage unfinished wood. If you are concerned about bacteria - pop the toy in your microwave for about 30 seconds. The heat will kill the bacteria that can be hiding inside the toy. (I say "inside" because the wood's surface forms a hostile environment for bacteria, so they migrate to the interior - unlike plastic, which is impenetrable so the bacteria just multiply right on the surface. And if the toy is pine, the natural pine oil will serve as another disinfectant). 

Periodically rubbing with olive oil (once or twice a year) will keep the wood beautifully buffed and provide some protection.

Stains: Use fine-grade sandpaper to remove any discolorations or stains. After sanding, the toy should be washed, dried, and set out for several hours (or heated in the microwave) to eliminate bacteria that may have been released from the interior of the wood. This also applies to a toy that has suffered water damage.

Finished/Painted Wooden Toys

Regular Care: Wash quickly with soap and water, but as with unfinished wood, do not soak them as it can damage the toy.

Stains: Spray with a 50/50 mixture of white distilled vinegar and water, wipe and dry. You can also try using baking soda as a gentle scouring agent. Just be sure not to press to hard as you could rub through the finish.

Stuffed Toys and Other Textiles

Regular Care: Most stuffed toys and textiles can be tossed in your washing machine, but read the tag to find out for sure (though, often the tag will discourage you from washing even though it would work just fine). For stuffed animals, you can protect them by enclosing them in a pillow case before putting them in the wash. Use a non-toxic laundry detergent (conventional brands may leave unwanted residues and chemical treatment agents that you don't want lingering in the fabric) and dry using low heat (or leave outside in the sun). Just make sure it doesn't take too long to dry as that can promote mold growth.

To treat dust mites (which are a special concern for parents with children who suffer from asthma or allergies) freeze the toy for 24 hours.

Stains: The remedy for this truly depends on the textile you're working with. Do a little on-line investigation to find what works (and then leave a comment here to let us know what your problem was and what was an effective solution!)

Plastic Toys

Regular Care: Use hot soapy water to clean small toys by hand. Rinse off large toys outside using a bucket of hot, soapy water and a garden hose. If a plastic toy seems to be getting worn and scratched, it may be time to re-purpose or recycle the toy (if you can). Scratches in plastic can become harbors for bacteria - not the type of toy you want your toddler sucking on.

Stains: Again, this depends on the type of plastic (though, generally, stains on plastic are often there for good). Let us know your tip in the comments below.

A good all-purpose disinfectant: 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons white vinegar and 3 to 4 cups hot water in a spray bottle. For extra cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap to the mixture.

But, remember - there's no need to get obsessive about how clean your child's toys are. Disinfecting everything may compromise they're immune system's development (see Why Dirt is Good), and the other contaminants? Well, you just do your best to reduce exposure. And at the end of the day (or beginning or middle), make sure you're pulling out the toys to laugh and play together.

Image Courtesy of Alex Lee/ / CC BY 2.0

More comments:

Print this page | Email a friend