As every parent knows, many of these much-loved toys will often spend a lot of time in their little ones’ mouths – which means keeping them germ-free is essential. Many parents also want to clean their baby toys without bleach, which is why all the methods below are 100% chlorine bleach free.

So just how do we clean baby toys in a way that ensures they don’t just look clean, but are properly sanitized? And how do we clean those tricky baby toys that can’t be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher?

Sanitizing baby toys

The way you disinfect your baby’s toys will depend on the type of toy and what it’s made from. For example, you’ll need to clean some baby toys simply by hand, but others will be able to go into the washing machine or dishwasher. And for those toys that can’t be machine washed, you’ll need to use an appropriate spray or cleaning solution to ensure they’re sanitized. Find the appropriate instructions for how to sanitize your baby’s toys below.

How to clean fabric and stuffed baby toys

You can usually sanitize stuffed baby toys by popping them in the washing machine with detergent and our Lysol® Laundry Sanitizer Free & Clear. Depending on the type of toy, you can either hang dry it, place it in the dryer or, if you’re worried about ruining the stuffing, put it in the dryer with a few new tennis balls which should stop the inner stuffing from clumping.

How to clean plastic toys

You can clean some small plastic toys that don’t have batteries in your dishwasher. With a little detergent and hot water, your toys will be cleaned. Just always make sure that the toy doesn’t have any batteries or delicate parts that may be damaged easily. Remember that rubber should never go in the dishwasher as it may not withstand the heat.

How to clean dishwasher-friendly toys

You can clean some small plastic toys that don’t have batteries in your dishwasher. With a little detergent and hot water, your toys will be cleaned. Just always make sure that the toy doesn’t have any batteries or delicate parts that may be damaged easily. Remember that rubber should never go in the dishwasher as it may not withstand the heat.

How to clean baby toys that can’t be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher

To sanitize hard, non-porous baby toys that have batteries or can’t be washed in the washing machine, simply wipe down with a cloth using a solution of soap and warm water. Dry, and then wipe down with a Lysol® Disinfecting Wipe. Finally, wipe the toy down using just water and a clean cloth before drying properly before handing back to the baby. For larger toys, use Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner and then rinse with water after use. Whichever product you use, always remember to follow the label instructions.

Ensuring baby’s toys are sanitized is bound to be a high priority, but it needn’t be a source of worry. With these simple instructions, you’ll have full peace of mind that your child is playing in a virtually germ-free zone.