Best Way to Clean Used Toys?

shrtfrkgrl

Had baby shower this past weekend. . . . some of my family got me used baby toys. Well, before LO comes I want to clean them since they OBVISOUSLY didn't clean them (same with the baby clothes . . . rolls eyes). I want to know the best way to clean these baby toys before LO gets here?

0ashley

I asked my mom this the other day after we bought some toys at garage sale. She said to use your dishwasher, or in my case (I don't have a dishwasher) the washing machine with soap and bleach. 

smacb

I'd probably donate them.   CHeck for labels.  Most plastic stuff you can put in the top shelf of the dishwasher.  I put dirty stuffed animals in the washing machine.  Clorox wipes should get everything else.

kjem182

I've been using soap and water to clean new plastic toys and 'bleach' wipes to wipe down used items-books and furniture.  Any used (or even new) fabric toys go in the washing machine.  I read the label first-I have one crinkle toy that can't go in the washing machine, so I'm debating what to do with that.  Even though it's new, the stores are filthy and I know it will end up in Baby's mouth sooner rather than later.  I hadn't thought about the dishwasher-I may re-wash the plastic items in there.

Babybear70

Depends on the toy. If it is something that you can easily run through a dishwasher without causing damage to the toy (keys, little plastic movable toys), throw it in. If not, if it is something like a ball with little sprinkle balls inside of it that make noise, or a rattle, something like that, nothing electronic, fill up your sink about 1/2 way with super hot water, boil some if needed, and add about 1 cup of bleach. Soak the toys for about 5 minutes, take out and rinse throughly. If it is something that looks to be surface wash only, clorox wipes or the clorox hard surface spray (mix of bleach and distilled water) work wonders. Hope that helps!

Adventurers

Just wash the clothes in the washing machine in some kind of free and clear detergent, along with any new clothes you were given.  As far as toys, I generally give them a good wipe down with lysol wipes.  I have put a few things in the dishwasher on the top rack, but you don't want to do this with anything that could get water trapped inside of it.  If you submerge some of these things in soapy water or run them through the dishwasher, you risk water staying in there and mildew/mold developing over time.  I have no problem with my kids playing with used toys and books or wearing used clothes... so we stock up on lysol wipes when I have coupons or they're on sale.  

bethCT

I buy used all the time for DD and the twins (although isn't it a bit tacky to bring a used gift to a shower???).  Plastic toys I clean with a bleach/water mix, rinse a ton of time, and dry.  Cloth toys or toys with cloth parts I wipe with mild detergent and water and then douse with lysol to disinfect anything that MIGHT be there.  I am good with buying used but never stuff animals, I get too worried about the previous owner having bedbugs, lice, etc...  I also go online for directions.  I got a used play mat and the directions said the mat part goes right in the washer but hang too dry, and then I used my water/detergent/lysol combo on the toy bar.

claudiaudia

If you have a steam cleaner (hand held) or know someone who has one, borrow it. The heat alone will kill everything.

APendola

It depends on the type of toy.

For stuffed animals, you can put them in a pillow case or mesh bag and wash them in the washing machine on the gentle cycle.

For hard toys, you can just wash them in the sink with dish soap.

JennyJensing

Certain things that are hard plastic, I would just use dish soap and hot water--I think bleach would be overkill. Clorox/Lysol wipes are great for kitchen and bathroom cleaning, but to me they always leave a sticky residue behind that I wouldn't want my child putting in her mouth. Other things I'd either throw in the washer or donate.

Expecting girl 3

Anything stuffed I put in the washer, hard plastic toys with electronics, wipe with disinfecting wipes, hard plastic without electronics, put hot water and bleach in the sink or bathtub for big toys, let them sit in the bleach water for 10 minutes, rinse, air dry. I do this every so often with DDs blocks and things too. But if you have a dishwasher it works well. No shame in hand me downs.

mrsjengle

Anything hard plastic mix bleach and water (according to the directions on a bottle of bleach) and place in sink for recommended time. This is how most daycares will clean toys at the end of each day. Remember to rinse well.

Anything you can throw in washer/dryer, do so.

And honestly anything that would have to be wiped down (electronics), I would donate.