I’m one of those parents that always says I don’t have to be so paranoid about my kid’s toys, and I always end up thinking, “oh lord knows what these toys touched between production and home,” so what can I do in this case other than look for ways how to disinfect toys without bleach.
If you are a bit confused now and wondering what the bleach is wrong, other than being poisonous, it can seriously damage the toys’ material and look. So, I did what all moms do, look for other methods to disinfect them with products that pose no health threat and do the work efficiently, and I decided to share them with all concerned parents out there.
These are my go-to methods that you can always find helpful and handy whenever those baby toys get dirty.
How to Disinfect Toys Without Bleach
One of the simplest ways is to disinfect toys without bleach. I advise all germ-paranoid moms to wash them in a dishwasher or washing machine using baby detergent.
Other than that, homemade disinfecting solutions are a more health-safe option. All you need is lemon juice, white vinegar, and ethanol. Check the next section, where I will share the methods and how to prepare them.
Homemade disinfecting solutions using kitchen products
Probably one of the biggest nightmares of every parent is their kid’s favorite toy falling on the ground, and they are just so stubborn to chew it.
Or even worse, they like to chew every toy they possibly put their hands on, even if it’s their playmate. Whenever I find myself in these situations, I prepare a quick little DIY solution with products I already own in my kitchen.
I always carry a bottle with one of these solutions in my baby’s bag since they like to toss them on the ground and chew them afterward, as all moms are a bit paranoid about germs.
So, these are some of the ones I recommend, and they are easy and effective, the same as you do it with bleach, except they are health safe.
Lemon juice and ethanol
Mix freshly squeezed lemon juice with one spoon of pure ethanol (you can use vodka or grain school instead) and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the surface of the toy and wipe it with a clean cloth. Wash them with clean water afterward and let them air dry.
Lemon juice and white vinegar
Cut the lemons into small pieces and place them in a jar. Pour white vinegar until all the slices of lemon get soaked in and leave them for a couple of hours. Then, pour the mixture into a bottle with a spray and clean the toys the same as the previous method.
Vinegar and lavender essential oil
Put one cup of vinegar with one cup of water into a spray bottle and add a few drops of lavender oil. Mix the liquids and sanitize your children’s toys the same way as the previous methods.
Water boiling for quick surface disinfection
Don’t have the time or the products to disinfect your kid’s toys? Don’t worry; another good alternative to natural disinfecting is to just put them in boiling water. Before you do this, make sure to check the toy’s label to see if the material is endurable for this type of cleaning.
Never even think of trying to boil plastic or rubber toys as they are prone to melting no matter how short they stay in the water. Also, never boil toys that work on batteries or have electric wires, as they can easily be damaged.
If it’s the case for teething toys or pacifiers, it’s perfectly fine. All you need to do is put them in a sterling steel pot and wait for about 10-15 minutes. Before you give them to your kid, please place them in a clean, soft cloth and wait for them to get fully dry and cold to prevent burn.
Dishwasher/washing machine disinfection
For deeper cleansing and disinfection, another quick and easy method I recommend is to toss them into a dishwasher or a washing machine if the material of the toy’s label states they are safe for this type of cleansing. Also, don’t forget to put them into a clothing tray so that they don’t lose shape, especially the stuffed ones.
I prefer using the baby laundry detergent I use to wash their clothes; however, you can put one cup of white vinegar instead for deeper disinfection if the toys are very dirty. I always wash their plush toys this way whenever they fall on the ground or get too dirty from chewing or baby food.
Fun bubble bath cleansing
Baths are fun for the kids, especially when their favorite toys are invited to the bubble party. If your kid cannot go anywhere without their favorite toy, it will get one problem less off your chest if you let them clean it themselves. Of course, you can add a little help; still, it’s a safe option to cleanse it with your baby’s soap and shampoo.
I always wash their plastic/silicone/rubber toys this way. I tried with the plush toys, too, and there was no damage to the material whatsoever. So, if you don’t have to wash them separately by hand, this method always saves the day.
How Often Should You Disinfect Toys?
So, now you know how to disinfect toys without bleach before you give them to your kids, but how often should that be?
Well, I don’t advise washing your kid’s toys too often if they are playing with them only in the house. Stuffed toys are most prone to getting dirty, so if your kid takes them outside, you can hand wash them with antibacterial soap when you return home.
Alternatively, you can quickly disinfect the plastic/rubber/silicone with the spraying solutions anytime you leave them in dirty spaces.
