How to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Baby's Clothes?
Mar 18, 2025By Priya Sharma
As parents, we all know how quickly baby toys can go from brand new to sticky, drool-covered mess! Between floor time, sharing with friends, and those inevitable drops at the grocery store, keeping baby toys clean is a never-ending job. But it's also super important for your little one's health.
We've put together this simple guide to help you tackle toy cleaning without stress. Let's get those toys sparkling clean and germ-free!
Why Cleaning Baby Toys Matters?
Babies explore their world mouth-first! This means toys collect:
- Saliva and germs from your baby
- Dust and allergens
- Germs from other children or surfaces
- Food particles and sticky residue
Regular cleaning not only keeps toys looking nice but helps prevent illness and reduces allergens in your home.
How Often Should You Clean Baby Toys?
Here's a simple schedule to follow:
- Daily: Clean pacifiers and teething toys
- Weekly: Clean toys that are used regularly
- After illness: Clean all toys your child used while sick
- After playdates: Clean shared toys
- When visibly dirty: Obviously, clean any toy that looks grimy!
Sorting Your Toys Before Cleaning
Before diving in, sort toys by material:
- Hard plastic toys (without batteries/electronics)
- Soft/plush toys
- Wooden toys
- Electronic toys
- Bath toys
Each type needs slightly different care, which we'll cover next!
Cleaning Hard Plastic Toys
These are the easiest to clean!
What you'll need:
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Clean cloth or sponge
- Old toothbrush (for small spaces)
- Dishwasher (optional)
Steps:
- Fill your sink with warm water and a squirt of mild dish soap
- Scrub toys thoroughly with cloth or sponge
- Use an old toothbrush for crevices and small parts
- Rinse well with clean water
- Air dry completely
For sanitizing: Mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Soak toys for 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and air dry.
Dishwasher method: Many plastic toys can go in the dishwasher! Place small toys in a mesh laundry bag on the top rack. Use the hot water cycle, but skip the heated dry.
Cleaning Soft/Plush Toys
What you'll need:
- Washing machine or basin for hand washing
- Mild detergent
- Fabric softener (optional)
- Mesh laundry bag
Steps:
- Check care labels first
- Place plush toys in a mesh laundry bag
- Wash in cool or warm water with mild detergent
- Air dry or tumble dry on low heat
- Fluff fur as needed once dry
For non-washable plush toys:
- Spot clean with a cloth dipped in mild soapy water
- Let air dry completely
- Use a handheld vacuum to remove dust
Cleaning Wooden Toys
Wooden toys need gentler treatment since they can absorb water and warp.
What you'll need:
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Clean cloth (not soaking wet)
- White vinegar (optional)
Steps:
- Dampen a cloth with warm, soapy water (not soaking wet)
- Wipe wooden toys thoroughly
- Use a clean, damp cloth to remove soap residue
- Air dry completely
For sanitizing: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar, dampen a cloth, wipe toys, and let air dry completely.
Cleaning Electronic Toys
What you'll need:
- Alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swabs
- Microfiber cloth
Steps:
- Remove batteries if possible
- Wipe surfaces with alcohol wipes
- Use cotton swabs for buttons and crevices
- Let dry completely before replacing the batteries
Never submerge electronic toys in the water!
Cleaning Bath Toys (The Tricky Ones!)
Bath toys often develop mold inside due to trapped water.
What you'll need:
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Old toothbrush
Steps:
- Squeeze out all water after each bath
- Weekly, soak in a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water
- Scrub openings with a toothbrush
- Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely
Pro tip: Hot glue the holes on bath toys to prevent water from getting trapped inside!
Natural Cleaning Alternatives
If you prefer to avoid bleach:
- White vinegar: Mix equal parts water and vinegar for a natural disinfectant
- Steam cleaning: Great for sanitizing without chemicals
- Sunlight: UV rays naturally kill germs; place toys in direct sunlight for a few hours
Important Safety Precautions
- Always rinse toys thoroughly after using cleaning solutions
- Let toys dry completely before giving them back to baby (prevents mold growth)
- Check for damaged parts before and after cleaning
- Never mix cleaning chemicals, especially bleach, and vinegar
- Store cleaning supplies away from children
Conclusion
Cleaning baby toys doesn't have to be overwhelming! Setting up a simple routine, perhaps cleaning a small batch every few days, keeps the task manageable.
