We absolutely know how much the mess does the child creates while playing with the toys. Nevertheless, are you sure that your kid’s toys are clean enough for them to play with? I always am consumed with this feeling that the toys, even though occasionally washed, are not clean enough. This feeling cause me clean the toys as often as once a couple of days to once a week.

But, how to ensure that the surface of the toy is free from grime and gross? Here I list a few ingredients, which are easily available in the kitchen that can come to the rescue:

• Soap and Water
• White Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Baking Soda
• Bleach

Soap and Water

                                                                    Baby safe cleanser

This combination still remains the most popular when comes to cleaning. You can use this combination to clean plastic, wooden, metal, and soft toys.

• You can use all-purpose cleanser marked safe for kids for this purpose.
• You can directly soak the toys, except for the toys with batteries, in warm water mixed with soap
• Wash the toys using scrub and hand.

 

White Vinegar

White Vinegar is the best when it comes to removing the odour from the toys besides fighting the germs. The acidic nature of the vinegar is useful in removing germs and grime from the toy’s surface.

You can

• Soak the toys in ½ cup white vinegar + 1 to 2 cups water. Yo can dilute as per your need.
• Directly rub the mixture on the toy surface.
• For toys with batteries, remove the batteries first and wipe the visible debris with the mixture. Make sure the mixture does not enter the internal part of the toy.

 

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

This is the best and most effective method to clean the toys. You can easily find hydrogen peroxide in the medical store. I found mine at as less as Rs.50 at a local pharmacy.

The science behind using H2O2 is that, whatever surface it is exposed to a bubbling reaction take place releasing Oxygen that is safer for kids.

You can

• Prepare a mixture of 50% H2O2 + 50% Water
• Dip the toys in the mixture till you hear the bubbling end and clean it as usual.
• For toys with batteries, remove the batteries first and wipe the visible debris with the mixture. Make sure the mixture does not enter the internal part of the toy

Note: Do a spot test for colored toys.

 

Rubbing Alcohol

You need to do a spot test if the color is chipping from the toys. You can easily obtain rubbing Alcohol from the local pharmacy. It is leaves the toys sterile and safe to play again.

You can

• Prepare a mixture of 50% Rubbing Alcohol + 50% Water
• Dip the toys in the mixture for some time and clean it with soap and water.
• For toys with batteries, remove the batteries first and wipe the visible debris with the mixture. Make sure the mixture does not enter the internal part of the toy

 

Baking Soda

Baking soda scrub was used traditionally to remove oil and grime from the surfaces. You can test for color chipping for colored toys.

• Mix 50% baking soda with 50% Soap solution
• Using a cloth or scrub, rub the paste on to the surface and clean it
• For toys with batteries, remove the batteries first and wipe the visible debris with the mixture. Make sure the mixture does not enter the internal part of the toy

 

Bleach

Bleach can be used to sanitize the toys. It reacts fast with water and hence mix it just before dipping the toys or wiping with the cloth. You can also fill it in the spray bottle and spray the entire play area and mats.

• Add 1tsp bleach to 1 liter of water, dip the toys immediately, and rub with toothbrush gently.
• Using a scrub or cloth rinse the toy surface directly
• For toys with batteries, remove the batteries first and wipe the visible debris with the mixture. Make sure the mixture does not enter the internal part of the toy