Disenfecting Bath Toys

Hi there:)
I agree with throwing them in the dishwasher, unless they can gold water inside them, than I would just spray them down with the clorox (which is great!)

I would also like to take this opportunity to ask why are some moms so hostile in their answers (Paula, and many others that have responded to mine and others questions). Obviously if the question is being asked, the asker needs some help, not belittlement or rudeness. Really if you can't just answer the question nicely, than why bother? Lots of us are new moms and the more experienced should lend a hand, not a sharp tongue.

B A,

I just learned on the food network show "Good Eats" that White Vinegar works just as well as bleach and does not break down like bleach does. Bleach, when it comes in contact with the air, breaks down into inert chemical chains. So when you make a mixture of bleach and water and put it in a spray bottle, you want to use that mixture immediately and throw the excess away. Otherwise within 3-4 days the bleach mixture will just be a smelly liquid that won't work any longer.

That said, white vinegar dries out the cell walls of most bacteria, is harmless if ingested, and the odor fades as the vinegar dries.

There are moms who are in both camps voting for bleach or vinegar. I use both depending on how dirty the surfaces are and how the item will be used.

I hope this helps you and it wasn't too long.

Good luck

Hi!

I have the Martha Stweart Homekeeping Handbook (and love it!), and she recommends vinegar and hot water. I let the toys soak for a while, then give them a quick scrub and rinse. The squirting toys have a short lifespan at our house, because there just isn't a foolproof way to get all the gunk out of the inside. And if a toy is really bad, I just throw it out. Some bath toys are a dime a dozen, so it's easier to just toss them and buy new ones.

Good luck!
A.

There are a number of options, but the simplest is just to run very hot water over them after the bath and set them to dry well. He isn't going to give himself anything by putting them into his mouth out of a soapy tub (except maybe a bit of soap-caused diarrhea).

Anything that ends up with them dry afterwards, in fact, will kill all bacteria. Bacteria (and mold) needs moisture to live, so once dry, it's all over. Viruses reside on dry surfaces, but if he is going to get it from the house, the tub toys aren't going to be the causa.

Yes, I know how you can disinfect all toys, without the harmful chemicals. You can call me and I can get you the information, ###-###-####. These products are all natural and you can even check with poision control center and they will tell that they are okay to use around the children.

Clorox Anywhere Spray still has HARMFUL CHEMICALS, I can sent you a report from Canada that families are having serious side affects from Lysol sprays, Clorox wipes, Pledge Furniture polish and even dishwasher detergent as LYE which is very harmful. YOU CAN DISINFECT WITH OUT HARMFUL BLEACH.

I used all of these products until I learned differently.
Please email at ____@____.com I will sent you the website.

L. Lock

I just make sure to watch ours for mildew or soap scum. Every once in a while I'll run a tub of the hottest bath water I can get and let them soak. If you make sure to store them an a ventilated container, they should dry okay and stay safe enough.
~L.

I have four boys ages 5,6,7, & 8 and lots of bath toys (amongst tons of other toys). You can just toss them in the dishwasher and wash them with the detergent you use for your dishes then rewash again with no detergent to make sure you have nothing left. (although if you eat off the dishes you are assuming it is safe everytime you use a plate, cup, etc anyways)
Good Luck.
M.

I use eco friendly cleaning products so that I don't have to worry about what my daughter is putting in her mouth. I do rinse them really well because I figure any kind of cleaner would taste icky!

L.
www.HealthyFamilyHome.com

I would soak them in bleach water, or vinegar water. If your worried about chemicals, they do have a lot of natural/organic cleaners out now. Check out the cleaning isles at the Meijer or the grocery store that you go to.

Hi BA,
Washing the outside of the toys can easily be accomplished by a bleach spray, or if you prefer, a food-safe disinfectnt. The problem is the moldy water inside toys.
First of all, try not to use tub toys that allow water inside.
If water is inside toys, then squeeze the old water out, and immerse the toy in a bleach solution. Squeeze the toy to bring the bleach water into the inside. shake. Let them soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze all bleach water out, rinsing in fresh water numerous times.
The other advise you received is to hang them ot dry. Try to squeeze the water out after each bath. (They'll stay cleaner longer.) Make it a game with your child to squeeze water at each other.

We put the bath toys in the dishwasher and put white vinegar in where the soap would normally go. How clean they get, I am not sure, but that is what we do. My children do not put things into their mouths, so I haven't given it much more thought. We also throw out the "ducky-like" (squeezey) toys at any sign of black growing within.

I would use white vinegar. Put them in a bucket or clean the bathtub and let them soak in about a cup of white vinegar.

I run mine through the dishwasher weekly

The toys can actually be washed in the washing machine. Use warm water and all purpose detergent. Throw in a hand towel to wipe the slime off. Works like a charm : )

Just spray them with clorox anywhere spray. It's 99% water and 1% bleach. Just spray it on and leave them it's safe to use around pet and children. I use it on everything, including the high and booster chairs!!

I know others have said the same thing, but vinegar is a natural disinfectant. I am a home care nurse and we clean used oral syringes and catheters with a vinegar/water solution. This should work and not a big deal if your child ingests some!

If you feel comfortable with your dish detergent, you can put them in there. If you have smaller toys that might bounce around you can use a lingerie bag or put them in a few at a time in your bottle top container. Good luck!

I agree, clorox anywhere spray! I use this all the time, all over the kitchen, bathroom, toys etc.

Bath toys should not have holes where water can get in and mold form... (I know most "bath toys" do have such holes....)

I usually put mine the dishwasher.

I use Hydogen Peroxide as a disinfectant rather than bleach--much safer.

You could throw them in the dishwasher as many day care's do or spray them with a weak bleach and water solution. This is what we did in the job I had where toys were used for developmental testing. Good luck with your little ones.

Hey, B A, I like to use baking soda in almost everything,from bathtub time to cleaning to baking. Soak with hot water. Then a mild detergent.

L.

Hi B A-
I always throw mine in the dish washer or spray them down with the surface safe disinfectants. Good luck!