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Question by Carrie Ann: How to wash baby toys if “surface wash only”?
I bought some used baby toys, and the directions indicate they are “surface wash only.” I don’t want to put the toys in the washing machine or use too harsh of a chemical to clean the toys because the baby will for sure put the toy in her mouth. Will soap and water sanitize the toy enough, and is soap too harsh of a chemical? Any ideas of what to use?
Best answer:
Answer by sky
i would use a clorox wet wipe or a rag with bleach, that will definately kill any germs that may be on them. i don’t think soap and water is good enough.
What do you think? Answer below!
I don’t really know if I have any ideas on how to help you wash it but i know I only buy used toys if they can either be washed in the washing machine or sterilized. A lot of the toys I have bought have said surface wash only but as long as they don’t have anything electronic in them I usually throw them in the washer and dryer only…even with the hard teething pieces on them. And so far they have all turned out fine…look as good as new =]
But like you said…the baby will for sure put them in their mouth and that is the exact reason I don’t buy toys I can’t sterilize or wash VERY well…because you don’t know where those toys have been previously to you watching them. Just a tip. Good luck!
I usually steam cleaned any surface wash only toys.
Steam will kill just about anything with no chemical residue, after all it is just water.
Depending on what the toy is, vinegar and water is one of the best cleaners I’ve found for my son’s toys (like the harder, solid surface type stuff).
Ones made of cloth (like books or dolls or stuffed animals) can generally go through the washing machine and drier (as a mommy of a 2 year old with a favorite stuffed Eeyore since the day he was born, I can promise that the washing machine detergent is fine).
If they’re hard plastic (like teething rings, plastic blocks, plastic balls etc) the dishwasher is safe too … the only thing is that some plastic gets really soft in the hot water of the dishwasher, so if you have a “cool” rinse feature use it, if not, give them time to dry (with the door of the dishwasher open) and they should firm back up.
Or you could always soak them in a sink filled with water and dishsoap.
As long as its normal soap (like dishsoap or liquid handsoap) it shouldn’t be too harsh for the baby. After all, you’ll use the dishsoap to wash the bottles, soothers, and dishes for her.
Hope this helps 🙂
if they are hard plastic toys then you can use a cloth and 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, or 10 drops of tea tree oil to 2 oz of water. if they are stuffed toys that don’t take batteries just wipe of any surface marks and toss them in dryer on high heat for 20 minute to kill anything on them. if they are stuffed toys with batteries then you can use soap and water or water and tea tree oil just remember the soap you use will stay on the fabric so don’t use any thing too harsh, seventh generation or green works cleansers or tea tree oil would be best. once they are clean you can put them outside in the sun to help kill any bacteria on them as well.
hot water, and a gentle dish detergent and a little bleach should kill germs and clean up the toys just fine. Rinse very well.
🙂
xx
If it is a stuffed animal and the child is under 7, I put it into the washing machine, use Woolite and wash in cold water. Then, let it dry for awhile and then put it on low heat in the dryer. I usually put them into a mesh bag and add some towels to the dryer so they don’t get beat up. The heat is high enough to kill any bugs, but low enough not to damage polyester fibers or faux fur. If it doesn’t pass this, I don’t use it. Dust mites are a common allergen and no matter how clean your home, you have them. They tend to build up in stuffing over time.