Cleaning toys regularly has become a necessary evil that I find myself having to take care of weekly. I simply did not understand the amount of dirt and grime one small child could create! My girls spill milk, track dirt and mud everywhere, draw on everything but a piece of paper, drool, and do a host of other things that get their shiny new toys dirty. There have been a few scenarios where I’d look inside of a toy to discover black mold growing inside of it. Needless to say it went directly in the trash, and my girls don’t have squeeze toys in the bathtub anymore. Period.
But throwing out all my kids’ toys is obviously not the answer to germ-free house. I’ve learned to keep up with cleaning and disinfecting their toys, and especially if you don’t let them get too dirty, most toys are super easy to clean (hint: the dishwasher is your best friend!). Cleaning and disinfecting toys is simple to do, but different toys require different methods. Here is a list of how to clean kids toys the right way, including some of the most common toys and ways to get them clean & fresh. Check them out in the slideshow.
More Cleaning Tips:
- 5 Steps to Spring Cleaning the Kids Rooms
- Spring Cleaning by Ages and Stages
- I’m a Stay-at-Home Mom, Not a Cleaning Person
How to Clean & Disinfect Your Kids' Favorite Toys
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Stuffed Animals
My girls love them, but unfortunately, they can be huge dust collectors! I typically wash our stuffed animals in the washing machine once a month and after anytime the kids are sick (get rid of that bacteria & disinfect the sick germs!). Wash COLD and on the delicate cycle, and use a delicate detergent or half a cup of baking soda to clean your stuffed animals. More great tips to clean your stuffed animals can be found on Spend with Pennies.
image: Getty/Kidstock
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Board Books
Books are a favorite find of mine at the thrift store for the kiddos. They are a great bargain, and our collection is huge thanks to the thrift store. I take an antibacterial wipe and wipe clean each page to disinfect the board books.
image: Getty/Julia Smith
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Doll Hair
Doll hair gets knotty and impossible to brush (kind of like my girls' hair…). Instead of playing “hairdresser” and giving them a new bob hairdo, try a doll hair detangler recipe! Mix some fabric softener and water and brush the tangles away! More doll hair cleaning tips can be found on Our Kids Mom.
image: Getty/MattoMatteo
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Legos/Building Blocks
I love Legos---they keep the kids occupied for hours, and I love seeing their imagination skills at work! But, just like anything the girls touch, they get sticky, dirty, and gross. Soak in a gallon of hot water and a half cup of bleach, and rinse thoroughly. Learn more on cleaning Lego toys on Home Stories A to Z.
image: Getty/thebang
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Toys with Batteries
A small amount of dish soap and a damp cloth will do the trick. For a deeper clean place a small amount of bleach with some water on a paper towel and wipe clean. Do not submerge battery toys in water or you could risk electric shock. More details on Livestrong.
image: Getty/Ahmar Nadeem
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Wooden Toys
Wooden toys are another toy we do not want to submerge in water, as it could warp the wood. Wiping them down with some mild dish soap or white vinegar will get them clean again.
image: Getty/Aliyev Alexei Sergeevich
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Bath Toys
Bath toys get moldy, so a cleaning routine for them is a must. Warm water and a white vinegar soak for ten minutes helps cleanse the bacteria and mold. The whole cleaning tutorial can be found on Martha Stewart.
image: Getty/ Andy Richter
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Outdoor Toys
For once, it is not just my kids getting the toys dirty. The outdoor toys that provide hours of entertainment get dirty simply from being outside all the time! Carrie This Home suggests a power washer to get rid of all the dirt and grime. Then follow up with a mixture of dish soap and white vinegar.
image: Getty/Thanasis Zovoilis
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Marker on Toys
Besides dirt and sticky foods, the kids LOVE to draw with marker. This includes drawing on their own toys, which they sometimes immediately regret. A dry marker eraser and some glass cleaner is the trick Enchanted Mommy uses to get rid of permanent marker.
image: Getty/sigita playdon photography
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Diecast Metal Cars
We cannot get these cars wet, so we must find an easy way to clean them from dust and grime. Compressed air with some towels and cotton balls will keep the cars clean and shiny!
image: Getty/artdetimo
