How often you clean your baby’s toys generally depends on how often your little one plays with them. While toys that get daily attention should be washed every day or two, toys like stuffed animals that only get an occasional cuddle can be washed weekly or as needed. 

That said, you’ll want to wash baby toys more frequently if your little one was recently sick, is prone to allergies or if their toys have been handled by other children. Thoroughly wash toys before and after playdates, and wash them daily when your baby is sick to avoid transferring germs. Once an illness has passed, give all of your baby’s toys an extra thorough clean to rid them of any lingering germs.

Plastic baby toys are some of the easiest to clean. They’re super durable, and it’s generally safe to get them wet. Just remember to avoid submerging toys that contain batteries or electronic components since water can ruin them.

1. Cleanse with Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes are great for a quick clean on the go. Simply wipe the toy down with a disinfectant wipe and wait for it to fully dry before allowing your child to handle it again. If you’re worried about harsh chemicals, you can purchase gentle cleansing wipes made just for baby toys and sticky fingers. You’ll still want to thoroughly clean the toy later, but a wipe will do the trick in a pinch. 

2. Wash with Vinegar and Baking Soda

If you prefer a more natural, eco-friendly cleaning method, vinegar or baking soda could become your go-to. Simply combine equal parts vinegar and water or mix water with one tablespoon of baking soda to create a cleaning solution.  

Place solid plastic toys in the mixture, and let them soak before rinsing off and drying. For wooden or electronic toys, dampen a towel with the mixture and wipe down the toy’s surface. Just keep in mind that vinegar and baking soda don’t have the same disinfectant properties as cleaners registered by the EPA. They can kill some germs, but you should consider using a registered disinfectant if a toy is overly dirty or your child was recently sick. 

3. Clean with Warm, Soapy Water

Warm, soapy water is a good option for rubber or soft plastic toys that can’t handle hot water in the dishwasher. Simply scrub the toys with a cloth soaked in soapy water, paying special attention to small nooks and crevices that can trap debris. This method also works for wooden toys, but you’ll need to use less water and lighter scrubbing motions to keep the water from soaking in. 

4. Place in the Top Rack of the Dishwasher 

The top rack of your dishwasher is perfect for easily cleaning dishwasher-safe plastic toys. Bigger toys that don’t contain any electronic parts can go right on the top rack, but you should place smaller toys in a mesh laundry bag to keep them from moving around too much during the wash cycle. 

Bath toys spend a lot of time in the tub, but that doesn’t stop them from getting dirty. Fortunately, most bath toys can be cleaned just like any other plastic or rubber toy. There are just a few extra steps to consider to prevent them from collecting mold or bacteria. 

5. Disinfect with Diluted Bleach

Nothing is worse than pulling out a bath toy only to find flecks of mold on it. To prevent yourself from having to throw out moldy bath toys in the future, try soaking them in diluted bleach every once in a while to disinfect them. To do this, fill your bathtub or a large container with water and add a ½ cup of bleach for every gallon of water. Soak your bath toys for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry them. Once they’re dry, it’s a good idea to wash them with soapy water to avoid leaving any bleach residue behind. 

6. Air Dry for 24 Hours

Allowing bath toys to fully dry out is essential. Mold and bacteria thrive in moist environments, and you’re likely to find them inside of your child’s bath toys if they can’t dry out properly. Rubber duckies and other bath toys with tiny holes in the bottom are prime examples. If your child’s toys have that little hole, squeeze out as much water as possible after washing them and regularly check for mold. You can even cover the hole with hot glue and let it dry to avoid the issue altogether.

9.  Sanitize with Vinegar

If your baby’s plush toy has a stain you just can’t get rid of, try pretreating it with white vinegar or adding a few tablespoons during the washer’s rinse cycle. Vinegar is much gentler than traditional stain removers, and it’s more eco-friendly!

10. Dry with a Hair Dryer

For more delicate stuffed animals, you might want to skip the dryer altogether and dry by hand. Before you fire up your hair dryer, gently press out as much water as possible and wrap the stuffed animal in a towel to soak up excess water. Once you’ve pressed out as much water as possible, set your hair dryer on the lowest setting and blowdry the toy to finish the job.

11. Hand Wash in the Sink

If your baby’s stuffed animal is labeled “hand wash only” or you are worried it might get damaged in the washer, you can fill a sink or tub with cool water and wash it by hand. Liquid dish soap, vinegar and baking soda all work as gentler alternatives to detergent, and they’re safe on hands. 

12. Spot Clean

Sometimes it’s better to spot clean a stuffed animal than to subject it to full wash. If you notice a stain, fill a container with soapy water and dip a toothbrush or light-colored cloth into it. Then, use it to gently rub out the stain. Simply blot out any leftover moisture with a towel and let the toy air dry when you’re done. 

13. Clean with Steam

Because steam cleaners are so gentle, you can use them on almost any baby item — including stuffed animals! If you have a garment steam cleaner, slowly run it over your child’s stuffed animals, then gently go over them with the upholstery head on your vacuum. This method might not work as well for deep stains, but it can help to get rid of bacteria and dust mites. 

14. Air Dry

If your baby’s stuffed animal can’t be exposed to heat, try hanging it up to dry using clips or clothespins. You can even place it next to a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the process and ensure that the inside dries out properly.  

After you’ve cleaned your baby’s toys, be sure to store them in a clean, dry space when they aren’t in use. It will cut down on future cleaning time and ensure that your baby’s toys are ready to go whenever you need them.