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Disinfect Plush Baby Toys in Your Washer

Plush toys can get really dirty and funky. Fortunately, most can be cleaned and disinfected in the washing machine. Be sure to zip them into a delicates laundry or other mesh bag, or a zippered pillowcase. These allow water and detergent to flow through and permeate the stuffy. Whirlpool recommends the gentle, hand-wash or delicate cycle.

Dry the stuffed animal(s) on a low heat setting in the dryer if there are no plastic parts. You can leave the item(s) in the delicates bag if you prefer, but it’s probably not necessary.

For a delicate stuffed toy, or one with plastic parts, you can line dry it. But start by rolling the toy a few times in a towel to squeeze out excess water. And don’t rush. It must be completely dry or it can become a petri dish for mold and bacteria.

Plush toys that can’t be washed may be spot cleaned or sanitized with a garment steamer or steam cleaner. Both can reach temperatures of 220 degrees, high enough to kill any crud in the toy. Test a spot first to make sure the steam doesn’t damage the material. And, as always, allow the toy to completely dry out before returning it to your child.

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Disinfect Wooden Baby Toys With Vinegar

Wooden baby toys are long-lasting and promote hands-on learning, but that’s not all. Wood is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning it doesn’t provide the same breeding ground for bacteria as fabric and plastic.

To disinfect wooden toys, wipe them down with a 1:16 mix of vinegar and water. Avoid soaking wooden toys in the vinegar solution or any other liquid; it could make the paint or clear finish peel off and leave the toy waterlogged.

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Disinfect Electronic Baby Toys With Diluted Bleach Spray

Electronic toys that make noise or light up, or any toy requiring a battery, cannot be submerged in water, because the moving parts shouldn’t get wet. Instead,  spray but don’t saturate these toys with a spray made of one-quarter teaspoon bleach to one quart water. A little bleach goes a long way. Then wipe them down with a soft, dry cloth.

Vinegar and water is also an option here. Just keep the liquid away from the electronic parts.