What can I do to wash and sanitize my baby's toys? Especially the ones that take batteries?

Cherry - posted on 02/11/2009

Quoting Sarina:

What can I do to wash and sanitize my baby's toys? Especially the ones that take batteries?

My 6 month old baby boy has been sick with a cough and fever. In my efforts to keep him healthy, I would like to clean his toys. Any tips?

hi sarina,the best ,most effective and harmless thing to use --- fill a water squirty bottle half with mouthwash and half water and spray all toys,it has all the dissinfectants and anti bacs to be safe, if your son puts the toys in his mouth not only is it safe but its hygineic and dosent leave any nasty tastes in their mouths!!  do try it ,it is effective and really does work x x

Deborah - posted on 02/07/2009

When I worked in a daycare we used the one cap of bleach to a gallon of water method. You pour that mixture in to spray bottles, and while the little one is sleeping you spray them down and let them fully dry before putting them back in their play area.

Another more alternative method is researching natural oils that are antiviral and using those the same way.

User - posted on 02/11/2009

Washing machine with 1 cup of bleach in cold water. High temp dry for the non-battery operated toys, plush and small hard plastic. The one cap of bleach and water mixture in a spary bottle works for the bigger toys.

Claudia - posted on 02/11/2009

DONT clean with bleach, clorox or lysol.... you may be doing more harm than good.  I would be happy to share with you some safer alternatives that I use and I help to educate folks about the toxins and chemicals in so many different products out there today.... some we are unaware of because they are not labeled and it's up to us as consumers to do our homework.

http://cbs3.com/health/Health.Stephanie.....

www.ToxicFreeFamily.net

Kate CP - posted on 02/07/2009

I agree with Rebecca above about over-cleaning toys. I have an immune deficiency and one of the things I fear the most is my daughter having the same disease. Kids are really hearty little things and (typically) have great immune systems. Since your little one is already sick, cleaning the toys now would be a good idea. But I wouldn't go crazy with it. I clean my 3 year olds toys every so often but not really on a regular basis. You gotta let their white cells do their work or they'll catch every bug out there!

Good luck!
Kate

User - posted on 05/16/2012

I am a member of a manufacturing co. that has NON TOXIC cleaners and sanitizes. Bleach is very toxic... let me know if you are interested, The product Kill 99.9% of common household germs*
Powered by citric acid and thyme oil
Concentrated to save money and reduce plastic waste
Leaves behind a light, fresh herbal scent

Dawn - posted on 02/11/2009

Have you heard of Melalucea? I use their cleaning supplies, mostly for the bathtubs, kitchen, and sanitize all the toys with the soluguard. As all natural as you can get and I love it.Contact me if you want me to email you the info...

Cherry - posted on 02/11/2009

you should never use a bleach solution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there are so many you dont know whats in them and children can have reactions to it, hope this helps!! x

Claudia - posted on 02/11/2009

DONT clean with bleach, clorox or lysol.... you may be doing more harm than good.  I would be happy to share with you some safer alternatives that I use and I help to educate folks about the toxins and chemicals in so many different products out there today.... some we are unaware of because they are not labeled and it's up to us as consumers to do our homework.

http://cbs3.com/health/Health.Stephanie.....

www.ToxicFreeFamily.net

[deleted account]

I really like Pursue Disinfectant Cleaner.  It is an Amway Global product that I market at my website, www.MyBestMe.mychoices.biz.  I like it because it can be used safely on non-porous food prep surfaces and dishes, and needs no rinsing.  It can used to make a spray, wipes, and a "dunk".  I use it in my mop bucket, on my kitchen counters and sink, on my dish sponge, to clean baby toys, on anything that may have been contaminated. like the computer keyboard and telephone reciever, on the cutting board, and so many other things.  I think it would at least help to disinfect laundry if added to the final rinse, though that is not one of its recommended uses.  It comes in a very concentrated forn, so a liter bottle goes a very long ways.  And it doesn't contain bleach!

Bethany - posted on 02/07/2009

Thanks for posting- I was wondering about the battery toys too- everything else I just either throw in with my dishes or laundry depending on how hard or soft they are! Thanks for the wipes idea!

Marissa - posted on 02/07/2009

I use the Clorox disinfecting wipes.  A nurse told me to use them and to make sure the toys are completely dry before your baby handles them again.  She also said that if you feel apprehensive about having them handle the toys with the Clorox on it, just wipe it down afterward with a wet cloth.

Sarah - posted on 02/07/2009

If this helps, I lay all the hard toys out on a large surface (table counter top etc.) Spray them down with lysol disenfectant, let them dry and wipe them with a damp cloth. Stuffed toys I wash with hot water and a bleach alternative soap such as tide, air dry.

Michelyn - posted on 02/07/2009

I also work in daycare, but we don't like to use bleach. A good alternative that is recognized by the ministry is 'Hertel' spray which is biodegradable and non-toxic. It's about $3.50 at Canadian Tire. The other alternative is vinegar. But, it is not recognized as a cleaner by the ministry. BTW - you do not need to disinfect wooden toys as they already have natural bacteria-killing enzymes. You can also toss most toys in the diswasher.

Sarina - posted on 02/07/2009

What about those pesky cloth seats, like in the baby walkers, that don't come out, how do you clean those?

User - posted on 02/07/2009

I love the Clorox anywhere sanitizing spray. I just spray wipe spray again and let dry, safe for babies!

Victoria - posted on 02/07/2009

hi my name vicki i have four kids from the age of 15 years to 3 years i always use a dettol wipe to wash over most of there toys

hope this helps you and dont forget all germs are not so bad for owe kids as they need some bad germs to build up there imunien system

all the best vicki

Coleen - posted on 02/07/2009

Spraying them down with Lysol works too

Amber - posted on 02/07/2009

use baby wipes and or spray with lycol disinfecting spray and wait til it fully dry ..

Mili - posted on 02/07/2009

Antibacterial wipes or baby wipes are the best way to clean toys which have battery.

Rebecca - posted on 02/07/2009

HI, I JUST USE THE PACKS OF ANTIBAC WIPES THAT ARE ON THE MARKET TO DAY, THEY ARE EASY TO USE AND DON'T SOAK THE TOYS!!!. AS A MUM TO 4, FROM THE AGES 18YRS TO 22MTHS, AN ONE OF THEM HAS HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY, I TRY NOT TO OVER CLEAN EVERY THING, I BELIEVE THAT TO DO THIS MAKES CHILDREN MORE PRONE TO ILLNESSESS NOT REDUCING THEM!!!MY KIDS ARE QUTIE BOMB PROOF, THEY SEEM TO MISS MOST COUGH'S AND COLDS THAT GO AROUND. HOPE THIS HELPS.

BEKKIE

Deborah - posted on 02/07/2009

Note, spray the toys not the kids!