I would use clorox daily sanitizing spray, it is safe on all surfaces and non toxic…. Yes, Lysol, and clorox wipes would work, but you are worried about your kids putting them in their mouths, and that other stuff can be harmful. Every few weeks you can lay out some towels (if you have time for this..) and get a bucket of bleach water, then soak the toys in the bucket for a few miutes then lay out on the towels to air dry…
When I used to work at a day care center we would dump all the toys into a big tub of bleach and water each night. The bigger ones rub down with wipes and during the day use anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down toys that have been in kids mouhths. All these methods never caused any problems for the kids but did help with the germs. the biggest one is to have the kids wash their hands or wipe hands all the time.
Any plastic, water-proof toys can be washed quickly. Fill a large sink or a tub with hot water, and a very small amount of bleach. Soak the waterproof toys in that for a few minutes, then lay out on towels to dry. (Let them air-dry.) You can use Lysol spray on other items that aren’t quite as waterproof. Just spray them with a light mist, then let dry. Also keep Clorox wipes handy, and use them often to wipe things down.
Hydrogen peroxide, works like bleach but is perfectly safe. You could also consider tea tree oil (diluted) or grapefruit seed oil (diluted). GSE is safe as far as I know, there are some risks with tea tree. Alcohol is another safe option, as it will evaporate and not leave any residue. Use pure alcohol
I would be seriously uncomfortable as a mom leaving my child any place that bleaches toys, or uses Lysol (or similar). I would never leave my child any place that routinely uses air fresheners (spray, those plug in things, scent stories).
I also do not like antibacterial soap. Or antibacterial sprays excluding natural ones like alcohol that bacteria can not form a resistance too.
There are a few new types of antibacterial sprays on the market for spray anywhere, safe for babys and toddlers.. One is by pampers, the other is clorox, and there is another brand sold at baby’s r us..
I use the pampers kind because it works well on greasy items.. I use it on every thing..
You can put toys in the dishwasher and clean them. The high temperatures will disinfect, but make sure the toys are dishwasher safe. The rest can be washed with bleach and water. We did this each week in our Head Start class. the tables and mats can be cleaned each day with bleach water.
I have worked in a daycare and we would soak them in dish washing liquid, and rinse them off real good and then spray them down with disinfectant cleaner, scrub the hard to reach places with a tooth brush and rinse them off real good in hot water and their ready to be played with again.
The easiest and most effective way is to dip the toys in a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and allow to air dry. Without using bleach, you can wash the toys in soap and water and allow to dry in the sun… the sun is the most efficient sanitizer. It kills every kind of germ out there. If they are stuffed animal-type toys, throw them into the washing machine.
The dishwasher it great. Use the top shelf. If they have small pieces you can but them in special dishwasher baskets that stop them flying around the dishwasher.
I use hot water with a few drops of tea tree oil. Then rinse off in hot water and leave them on a towel to air dry.
I’m not to sure about everyone using bleach.
16 Responses to “What is the best way to clean or disinfect toddler toys in order to prevent the spread of illness?”
By desertblue62 on Jul 28, 2008 | Reply
Clorox wipes
By prettymama20_2004 on Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
I would use clorox daily sanitizing spray, it is safe on all surfaces and non toxic…. Yes, Lysol, and clorox wipes would work, but you are worried about your kids putting them in their mouths, and that other stuff can be harmful. Every few weeks you can lay out some towels (if you have time for this..) and get a bucket of bleach water, then soak the toys in the bucket for a few miutes then lay out on the towels to air dry…
By babyboo on Aug 3, 2008 | Reply
CLORX WIPES OR LYSOL DISINFECTANT WIPES
By gwwatsons on Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
When I used to work at a day care center we would dump all the toys into a big tub of bleach and water each night. The bigger ones rub down with wipes and during the day use anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down toys that have been in kids mouhths. All these methods never caused any problems for the kids but did help with the germs. the biggest one is to have the kids wash their hands or wipe hands all the time.
By Jessi H on Aug 10, 2008 | Reply
Any plastic, water-proof toys can be washed quickly. Fill a large sink or a tub with hot water, and a very small amount of bleach. Soak the waterproof toys in that for a few minutes, then lay out on towels to dry. (Let them air-dry.) You can use Lysol spray on other items that aren’t quite as waterproof. Just spray them with a light mist, then let dry. Also keep Clorox wipes handy, and use them often to wipe things down.
By mystic_eye_cda on Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
Hydrogen peroxide, works like bleach but is perfectly safe. You could also consider tea tree oil (diluted) or grapefruit seed oil (diluted). GSE is safe as far as I know, there are some risks with tea tree. Alcohol is another safe option, as it will evaporate and not leave any residue. Use pure alcohol
I would be seriously uncomfortable as a mom leaving my child any place that bleaches toys, or uses Lysol (or similar). I would never leave my child any place that routinely uses air fresheners (spray, those plug in things, scent stories).
I also do not like antibacterial soap. Or antibacterial sprays excluding natural ones like alcohol that bacteria can not form a resistance too.
By Cammy on Aug 12, 2008 | Reply
There are a few new types of antibacterial sprays on the market for spray anywhere, safe for babys and toddlers.. One is by pampers, the other is clorox, and there is another brand sold at baby’s r us..
I use the pampers kind because it works well on greasy items.. I use it on every thing..
By missportcity on Aug 14, 2008 | Reply
clorox or lysol disinfectant spray
By robee on Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
You can put toys in the dishwasher and clean them. The high temperatures will disinfect, but make sure the toys are dishwasher safe. The rest can be washed with bleach and water. We did this each week in our Head Start class. the tables and mats can be cleaned each day with bleach water.
By chris t on Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
I have worked in a daycare and we would soak them in dish washing liquid, and rinse them off real good and then spray them down with disinfectant cleaner, scrub the hard to reach places with a tooth brush and rinse them off real good in hot water and their ready to be played with again.
By okkiegal on Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
Toys where I work are cleaned daily, or more often as needed.
We use clorox and water, you need to let them air dry also
By dolphin mama on Aug 20, 2008 | Reply
The easiest and most effective way is to dip the toys in a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and allow to air dry. Without using bleach, you can wash the toys in soap and water and allow to dry in the sun… the sun is the most efficient sanitizer. It kills every kind of germ out there. If they are stuffed animal-type toys, throw them into the washing machine.
By saraj30 on Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
Check out this website. It has all types of different cleaning/disinfectants that are safe to use.
By cinnycinda on Aug 22, 2008 | Reply
I spray mine down with Lysol spray and wash the ones I can.
By jaybird on Aug 25, 2008 | Reply
The dishwasher it great. Use the top shelf. If they have small pieces you can but them in special dishwasher baskets that stop them flying around the dishwasher.
By myrtairaven on Aug 29, 2008 | Reply
I use hot water with a few drops of tea tree oil. Then rinse off in hot water and leave them on a towel to air dry.
I’m not to sure about everyone using bleach.