How (and How Often) to Clean Baby Toys

You’ll soon realise that there’s no way of ensuring your baby’s or toddler’s toys are clean at all times, especially once they start suckling, throwing, crawling, and walking. 

Johannesburg-based paediatrician, Dr Hassina Ebrahim, adds that another way in which toys become dirty are through social interactions with other kids. “It’s unavoidable – babies and toddlers will swap toys with each other. It is, however, important for toys that are frequently played with to be cleaned at the end of the day to limit germ spread,” she says. 

Despite the presence of germs and the possibility of them spreading, allowing your little one to play with toys has a host of benefits. “Mouthing with movements such as sucking and chewing are important for overall development of a child, and how they explore,” says Dr Ebrahim. 

So, allow your little one to play with (and share) toys, but ensure that you regularly clean their toys – it’s a must in maintaining hygiene.

Can germs be passed from toys to the baby?

We know that our little ones are prone to illness when they’re in contact with others, but could their toys also be a source of germs? “Yes,” says Dr Ebrahim. “In fact, germs can live on surfaces, including toys, for several days to weeks. Children play with toys and chew on them, and this could lead to germs entering the body, and causing infection,” she explains. 

“Toys may be a notable channel for transmission for viruses as well. Particularly at crèches, schools, and even in healthcare settings, toys that are used and shared need to be cleaned regularly to prevent spread.”

Are bath toys any different?

Bath toys shouldn’t be overlooked – they need thorough cleaning on a daily basis. “Mould thrives in wet, humid conditions, and the bathroom and bath toys are no exception. They need to be cleaned as mould can potentially cause a health risk,” says Dr Ebrahim. “It's important to prevent the build-up of mould in your bathroom, and to clean bath toys properly,” she adds. 

What’s the best way to clean toys?

When it comes to bath toys, Dr Ebrahim suggests throwing out old bath toys and rinsing toys after every bath time. For bath toys that have holes in them, like rubber ducks and ones that squeak when pushed, she advises caregivers to squeeze out as much water as possible after each bath.

A general cleaning routine is to soak toys in warm soapy water, squeeze out any excess water, and ensure they are thoroughly dried before you give them back to your little one. Dr Ebrahim suggests leaving toys to air dry until they’re properly dry. She adds that sanitiser can be used to clean toys (there are also child-friendly sanitisers available on the market), and that it’s safe to use a diluted solution of water and bleach in a 1:1 ratio to clean toys. 

For daily cleaning or cleaning after use, you could soak a cloth in the bleach solution and wipe toys down, use wet wipes for a wipe-down, or spray them with sanitising spray. When deep-cleaning toys, allow them to soak in the water-bleach solution, rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry properly before their next use. 

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