As a parent, I know firsthand the challenges of keeping our little ones’ toys and play spaces clean and safe. Kids are like walking germ factories, sneezing, picking their noses, and putting everything in their mouths. While it’s important to allow them to be exposed to some germs to build their immune systems, we certainly don’t want them playing in a cesspool of bacteria and dirt.
That’s why cleaning and sanitizing toys is such a crucial part of maintaining a healthy, happy household. I typically clean my kids’ toys every other week, unless they’ve been sick, and I try to keep their play areas vacuumed or swept weekly. No shoes on the play floor, of course!
For the soft toys, I use my own homemade, kid-friendly laundry soap. And for the wooden, plastic, and battery-operated toys, I’ve got a simple disinfectant spray that gets the job done quickly and effectively. Trust me, it’s a game-changer and will save you so much time and hassle.
Gather and Divide
The first step is to gather all the toys from every nook and cranny – the toy chest, play areas, diaper bags, the car, everywhere. Bring them all into one central location, like the kitchen or a large room. This way, you can sort them into four categories:
- Battery-Operated Toys: No matter the material, if it has a battery, it goes in this group.
- Soft Toys: Stuffed animals, plush toys, and anything with both soft and hard components.
- Wooden Toys: Blocks, puzzles, trains, and anything primarily made of wood.
- Hard Plastic Toys: Everything else that’s mostly hard plastic.
Separating them like this will make the cleaning process a breeze. And a quick note – when the kids are sick, I limit their playtime to just the wooden, hard plastic, and soft toys. The battery-operated ones take the most work to disinfect, so they get a break.
Soft Toy Laundry
Now, let’s tackle the soft toys first. These can all go straight into the washing machine! I like to use my homemade, kid-friendly laundry soap – it’s quick, easy, and inexpensive to make. But you can also use a gentle detergent like Dreft. Just toss them in the wash and let the machine do its thing. I even pop them in the dryer without any issues.
Hard Plastic Toy Cleaning
Next up, the hard plastic toys. First, rinse out your sink and fill it with warm, soapy water. You can use that same homemade laundry soap or a squirt of Dawn dish soap. Dump all the hard plastic toys in and let them soak for about 5 minutes, swishing them around to get into all the little grooves.
Once they’ve had a good soak, drain the sink, rinse them off with warm water, and set them out to air dry on a towel. Make sure to squeeze out any bath toys to release any trapped water. Once they’re completely dry, they’re ready to go back into circulation.
Wooden Toy Disinfecting
For the wooden toys, we’re going to use my DIY Disinfectant Spray. Lay down a towel on the floor, dump out the wooden toys, and spray them down thoroughly, making sure to get both sides. Let them sit for about 3 minutes, then flip and spray the other side. Once they’ve fully air-dried, they’re good to go.
If you’ve got some larger wooden pieces, like a toy chest, just grab a rag, spray it with the disinfectant, and wipe down the whole surface, inside and out.
Battery-Operated Toy Cleaning
Finally, the battery-operated toys. These can’t go in the sink, but they’re still easy to clean. Just grab a rag, spray it with the disinfectant, and wipe them down. Easy peasy!
I find it helpful to rotate the battery-operated toys, keeping 5 or 6 out at a time and swapping them for the ones in storage. This not only saves time on cleaning days but also gives your little ones a fresh batch of toys to play with regularly. Plus, it’s a great way to figure out which ones they don’t use as much, so you can potentially donate or re-gift those.
DIY Disinfectant Spray
This DIY Disinfectant Spray is a total game-changer. It only takes two ingredients – white vinegar and water – and you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to help mask the vinegar smell (I like orange or lemon). Just mix equal parts of the vinegar and water in a spray bottle, give it a good shake, and you’re ready to go.
This spray is perfect for disinfecting all the hard surfaces in your home, from toys to countertops. It’s safe for kids, won’t damage your toys, and is super affordable to make. Plus, you can use it for all kinds of cleaning tasks, not just the playroom.
Ongoing Maintenance
Keeping your kids’ toys and play areas clean and disinfected shouldn’t be a big chore. By setting up a regular cleaning routine, you can stay on top of it and make sure your little ones are playing in a safe, healthy environment.
I try to clean the toys every other week, and I vacuum or sweep the play areas weekly. And don’t forget to keep those shoes off the play floor! It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in reducing the amount of dirt and germs getting tracked in.
Remember, good hygiene practices are essential for keeping your family healthy, but you also want to strike a balance and allow your kids to explore and build their immunity. It’s all about finding that sweet spot, and I hope these tips help you do just that.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get cleaning and disinfecting those toys and play spaces! Your kids (and your peace of mind) will thank you.
Oh, and before I forget, be sure to check out Adam Cleaning if you need any professional cleaning services for your home. They’ve got your back when it comes to keeping everything spic and span.
