How do you clean baby toys?

There are many different ways to clean baby toys depending on what materials are used. In order to thoroughly clean baby toys, you can use your dishwasher, a Lysol wipe or cloth sprayed with an infant-safe disinfectant, and a simple soap-and-water solution.

1. Clean plastic toys in a dishwasher

   To thoroughly clean and disinfect plastic toys, put them on the top rack of your dishwasher. Make sure the water temperature reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

2. Use chemical disinfectants

   Electronic toys can be cleaned with a chemical disinfectant that is safe around babies (such as Lysol), a diluted bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water), or soap and water. Choose your cleanser of choice and — using a damp cloth — wipe down the electronic toy. Let it air dry completely before your child plays with it again.

3. Scrub fabric toys

   Fabric toys can be washed with a damp cloth and soap and water. Other fabric toys such as blankets and stuffed animals can be put in the washing machine. In order to ensure that the stuffed animal does not come apart in the machine, place it in a pillowcase that is tied shut or in a large lingerie wash bag.

4. Wipe other surfaces

   Wipe off surfaces your baby touches and puts his mouth on, including baby cribs, climbing toys and other large toys that don't fit in the dishwasher. Wipe those surfaces down with a cloth sprayed with disinfectant.