Let's face it: Your child's toys are often most valued and constantly at their side. Unfortunately, it implies that kids handle toys roughly, play with them, sleep on them, get bitten, and possibly do other things.

Unfortunately, that lovely, spotless teddy bear soon appears to be a hideous mess. Toys can contain bacteria, allergies, or worse, mold, in addition to the obvious dirt and grime.

To maintain toys looking and functioning their best and to get them clean, different toys need different cleaning techniques. To help keep your children safe, you can read this article on disinfecting your plush toys.

How frequently should I wash my toys?

The amount of love given to toys determines how often they need cleaning (a.k.a, how much they get played with). The general rules for when your child is healthy are as follows. First, cleaning and sterilizing toys more frequently are crucial when your child is sick or has the flu. Then, once they are well again, you should do the same.

The simplest toys to keep are those made of hard plastic and bath toys, which should be washed and sterilized once a week if used daily.

Plush toys are frequently machine washable and dryable, making it simple to wash them once a week, every other week, or whenever necessary (especially if kids sleep with them). Non-washable plush toys can occasionally be spot cleaned and refreshed.

Can vinegar be used to disinfect toys?

But, no. While vinegar can kill some germ strains and is an excellent household grease cutter and limescale remover, it lacks the sanitizing and disinfection strength needed to be recognized and registered by the EPA. Washing toys in hot water is best for cleaning them.

Why is it important to learn how to clean baby Plush toys?

For a variety of reasons, it's crucial to know how to disinfect toys (especially if you have hand-me-downs or second-hand purchases):

• Toys become a bacterial haven because they contact many diverse places and individuals.
• At least one additional youngster has very certainly chewed on toys that are used again.
• Any toy in your home will probably get put in your baby's mouth.
• Since our baby's immune systems are still growing, we must take all reasonable precautions to keep them safe.

DISINFECTING PLUSH TOYS IN 4 STEPS WITHOUT WASHING

1. WEAR CLOTH

Take a Cloth, grab a white towel or a clean rag, and sanitize the plush toys for your children. Use warm (or hot) water to guarantee that this will eradicate little insects. Dampen the cloth with water, then gently rub the plush toy.

2. AIR DRY 

 This air dry will stop the fur from being removed or damaged. Use a hair dryer to avoid damaging your child's plush toys, but set it to low or medium heat.

3. Employ a garment steamer.

Unbelievably, you can clean your child's beloved plush toy with a garment steamer. The intense heat this device emits will kill viruses and dust mites clinging to its toy the intense heat this device emits. However, exercise caution when using a steamer, as excessive heat can damage a toy's fur.

4. VACUUM

You may also get clean plush toys using just a few household cleaning supplies. First, dry the Plush toy overnight and place it in a vacuum sealer bag. Next, remove the air from the pack using the vacuum. You can perform this technique once each week.

5 STEPS FOR USING BAKING SODA TO DISINFECT PLUSH TOYS

Place Baking Soda in a trash bag.

Get 1/2 cup of Baking soda from your pantry or neighborhood grocery shop, although you may easily add extra if the plush toy is too large. Pour the Baking soda into a plastic trash bag.

FILL THE BAG WITH THEM.

After that, insert the plush toy into the trash bag, letting it lie at the bottom. While trying to remove extra air from the bag, leave a tiny opening for the toy.

Shake the bag 

As you prepare to shake the plastic bag, tightly twist, tie, and grip the top. Remember that the plush toy is inside; therefore, it is crucial to handle this procedure delicately. Also, make sure to cover the toy in Baking soda completely.

ALLOW IT TO STAY FOR 15 MINUTES.

Place the bag down for 15 minutes after 2 minutes of shaking. Doing this lets you deodorize the toy and eliminate any odor-causing dirt, filth, or stains on the cloth.

Remove Extra Baking Soda by Shaking.

Utilize the hose from your vacuum cleaner to remove any leftover Baking soda. Removing any remaining Baking soda from the plush toys using a soft-bristled brush is advised to avoid destroying the fabric. After that, please dispose of the bag in the garbage and keep children away to prevent unintentional inhalation.

What can I use as a disinfectant spray for plush toys?

If you can't wash the plush toy in the washing machine, you can use a kid-safe disinfectant to eliminate bacteria, bugs, and viruses. Just wait a while after spraying the toy with a disinfectant before allowing your child to play with it.

MOTH AND INSECT INFESTATIONS IN PLUSH TOYS 

If your plush toys are stored, you can do the following to help keep moths away.

Store toys in a dry, well-ventilated area. Unfortunately, because they are warm, dark, and musty, attics and the backs of cupboards are my favorite hangouts for moths.

Use a natural bug repellent such as cedar wood balls.

How to recognize moths around and within your home: Look for the everyday clothes moth and the brown house moth (8mm long with wings flecked with bronze and black) (6-7mm long with paler, beige wings).

Recognize the moth eggs on your toy. They resemble sand somewhat. If your toy has moth damage or you find eggs on it, put it in a plastic bag and freeze it for two weeks before cleaning it carefully.  

Even plush toys occasionally require a good bath. If your kids' toy can go in the washing machine, put it inside a mesh bag or pillowcase. If their toys can't be machine washed, you can use a moist towel to spot-clean them. You can also utilize other techniques like vacuuming, steaming, or air drying.

Visit KINREX if you're seeking adorable (and reasonably priced) plush toys for yourself or your child.