Toy Cleaning
Kid’s toys need cleaning frequently. They can hold dangerous germs and allergens which could make your child sick. If your child has been unwell with a viral or bacterial infection, it is recommended you clean the toys that they play with to prevent the spread of the illness.
CLEANING A SPECIAL BEAR
If your kids are anything like mine, they will have a mangy looking teddy tucked under their arms during playtime. Who is the baby, who is a comforting presence at night time, and something to cuddle when upset.
My son’s bear’s nose is worn out from all the kissing! My daughter’s bear has been hugged so tightly, the stuffing is all in it’s feet!
But sooner or later, these special mates need a jolly good bath! Pop the bear/s in a pillow case and close by tying with a rubber band. Put wool wash in the machine and on a gentle warm cycle and Ted is on an adventure. If Ted is not machine washable, then wipe him over with a damp cloth. It’s not adviseable to give your children a bear that can’t be washed beause of germs that can be harboured in the fur and filling.
Ted needs a bath every 6 months or so, or more if he starts to get that mangy smell.
TOYS
Plastic toys can be cleaned by rinsing them in warm soapy water and then left to drain. Disinfect by soaking for an hour in Milton if your child has been unwell.
If the toy cannot be washed and it is dirty, it’s best to throw the toy out. Most good toys can be cleaned though, so hopefully this won’t be an issue for you.
KILLING DUST MITES ON TED
If your child is allergic to dust mites then you can help combat these pesky little blighters by freezing them in their tracks… literally. Wrap Ted in a plastic bag and pop him in the freezer for 4 or 5 hours. The deep freeze may make teddy feel cold, but it kills most dust mites. A good technique for sufferers of asthma!!
GIVE THE BATH TOYS A BATH!
Bath toys are the most unhygenic toys you can possibly have, especially the ones that have holes in them, allowing water to sit inside. Mold and bacteria love warm sheltered little homes and will breed quite happily in there. Then when your kids squirt each other or squirt bath water into their mouths - sickness can begin. To clean the bath toy, fill your bathroom sink up with very hot water and a good amount of hospital grade disinfectant or household bleach. Fill the toys with the hot water and leave to soak for an hour. Then squirt the water out, refill and squirt out again. If black comes out, this is good! It’s mold. Keep filling up and squirting untill the water comes out clean. Rinse in cold water and replace in the toy bag.
It’s best to teach your kids to empty out the water from these toys before hopping out of the bath to help with keeping them clean. This job ideally should be done often to minimise bacteria and mold buildup.
