Cleaning 101: Indoor & Outdoor Kids' Toys
Learning how to disinfect toys without bleach is easy! From stuffed animals to outside toys, discover the best methods – no caustic chemicals necessary!
Written by Stacey Kelleher. Reviewed by Sean Busch.
As parents of babies and toddlers, it’s important to stay on top of our cleaning game – especially before and after playdates!
Whether you need to know how to clean wood, tackle outside play equipment, or sanitize stuffed animals, we teach you how to disinfect toys without bleach.
Where to Start: Tips for Cleaning Children’s Toys
Even if your home is neat and tidy, toys and play rooms are germy spots in your home that can harbor:
- E.Coli
- Influenza
- Salmonella
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Strep
- COVID-19
During flu season, it also doesn’t hurt to clean and disinfect toys (and other high-touch areas in your home) more often.
1. Start by Tidying up
Whether it's a corner of their bedroom or a dedicated play space, organization is key to reduce clutter and grime.
1. Get Rid of Broken/Unused Toys
Every month, go through toys to discard broken ones. If some are in good condition (but largely unused), consider donating them to charity or neighbors once they've been thoroughly cleaned.
For every new toy they receive, your child should give an old/unused one to charity. In addition to cutting down on clutter, this giving mindset can encourage children to be more charitable and less focused on material possessions.
2. Only Keep a Few Toys out
Allowing a few toys out at a time keeps clutter to a minimum while making clean-up that much easier. If kids want to play with new toys, they'll need to put their other ones away first.
3. Wash Hands Often
Before and after playtime, children should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. That’s about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice – or the Baby, Mommy, and Daddy verses of "Baby Shark."
If soap and water aren’t handy outdoors, hand sanitizer is the next best choice. Use enough to cover both hands and ensure that hands are rubbed vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
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You Need to Clean Toys Before Disinfecting Them
Cleaning toys regularly reduces bacteria, mold, and fungi buildup. And to properly disinfect them (more on that below), toys need to be cleaned first.
How to Clean Wooden Toys
Dunking wooden toys in water causes them to warp over time. Instead, use a gentle microfiber cloth sprayed with our Natural Surface Cleaner (or dampened with soap and warm water). Allow these items to air dry after cleaning.
Pro Tip: Because younger children tend to put toys in their mouths, avoid using wood furniture polishes on them.
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