Question: How to sanitize infant toys. A quick Google search for What’s the number one job of a parent, might return things like validate your child’s feelings or turn your kid into a kind, loving member of the community.
Really, the first job is simply to keep your baby safe. And it isn’t even one you have to learn, because most of it comes pretty naturally.
But there are some things that require a bit of experience and knowledge. So we’ve done the research to uncover 3 Popular Ways to Sanitize Infant Toys for you.
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Because babies put toys in their mouths, take it as a given that we’re presenting only safe, non-toxic, natural ways to clean baby toys.
Additionally, we don’t think frequent sanitation inside your own home is necessary. But if you’ve been away from home with your baby’s toys, another baby has played with them, or you’ve purchased them secondhand, you’ll likely want to know how to sanitize infant toys as a precaution.
So here you go, 3 ways to sanitize infant toys. Up first…
1. Vinegar – a natural way to sanitize infant toys
Our number one choice for sanitizing infant toys is vinegar. It’s natural, inexpensive, and generally easily found in your home. So it’s super convenient. While vinegar doesn’t kill 100% of microbes, it does effectively kill bacteria. In fact, it’s been proven to kill more germs than bleach.
- Mix 1 part vinegar to 1 part water.
- Add this mixture to a spray bottle, or use a bowl with damp cloth.
- Spray or wipe hard surface toys and then let them air dry.
- If any vinegar smell lingers on the toys, you can wipe them a second time with plain water. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of a baby-safe essential oil like lavender or lemon oil.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar together work well to sanitize baby toys.
While baking soda has anti-microbial qualities, it won’t kill germs on its own. But pair it with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice and it can help to control bacterial growth on toys.
- Create a thin paste by mixing baking soda with water.
- Gently scrub the surface of the toy – note that vigorous scrubbing might damage the surface.
- Rinse the toy with a vinegar mixture like the one created above – 1 part vinegar, 1 part water. Then let the toy air dry for 15 minutes.
3. Use a verifiable non-toxic cleaner to disinfect infant toys
At Toycycle, we use Force of Nature, but there are others on the market. Attitude Baby Leaves Toys & Surfaces Cleaner, for example, is an unscented product that is EWG Verified. Dapple, Toys & High Chair Cleaner is another. We love the Environmental Working Group and recommend it to check the safety of any product you might use in your home.
Force of Nature is a chemical-free disinfectant that can kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria but is also safe for babies. You can even use Force of Nature to clean your breast pump, pacifiers, teethers & infant bathtubs without worrying about toxic residues being left behind. The active ingredient in Force of Nature is so safe it's actually used in wound healing and eye care products.
Read our related blog post for a deeper dive into how to clean wooden toys.
So there you have it. 3 popular, and super simple ways to disinfect infant toys. Now that you've got that covered, you can embark upon that much more complicated task of turning your child into a kind and caring member of the community. ❤️
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