How to Disinfect Toys Safely: Baby Toys, Plush and Bath Toys
Short answer: clean toys first with soap and warm water, then sanitize or disinfect them by material. Dishwasher-safe hard plastic goes in the dishwasher (a sanitizing cycle if you have one). Plush goes in the washing machine on the warmest setting the label allows, then dries completely. Other hard toys get a dilute bleach sanitizing soak; after illness, disinfect them with a stronger bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant used exactly as the label says. Battery toys get a wipe-down, never a soak. Let everything air-dry before your child plays again.
This article is for general information. Follow the product label of any cleaner you use, and talk to your pediatrician if you have health questions.
Clean, sanitize or disinfect: what's the difference?
| Step | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Soap, water and scrubbing remove dirt and many germs | Always first, and whenever a toy looks dirty |
| Sanitize | Lowers germs to safe levels, using a weak bleach solution or a sanitizing product | Toys that babies and toddlers put in their mouths |
| Disinfect | A stronger solution or disinfectant that kills remaining germs | After someone in the house has been sick, or after vomit, diarrhea or blood |
These definitions follow the CDC's guidance for child-care settings (CDC). Sanitizers and disinfectants don't work well on dirty surfaces, so always clean first.
How to clean and disinfect each type of toy
| Toy type | Best method | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Hard plastic (blocks, rattles, stacking cups) | Dishwasher on the top rack if the label says dishwasher-safe, or wash with soap and water then a dilute bleach sanitizing soak | Toys with holes or seams that trap water |
| Silicone and rubber teethers | Soap and hot water; dishwasher if the maker allows | Water-filled teethers: don't boil or freeze unless the label says so |
| Plush and fabric toys | Washing machine in a mesh bag, warmest water the label allows, then dry completely | Toys with batteries or glued parts; spot-clean those |
| Bath toys | Rinse, squeeze out, air-dry after every bath; soak hard bath toys in dilute bleach now and then | Squirt toys trap water and can grow mold inside |
| Wooden toys | Wipe with a damp soapy cloth, wipe with clean water, dry right away | Never soak wood; it swells and cracks |
| Electronic and battery toys | Remove batteries if you can, then wipe with a cloth dampened with soapy water or a disinfectant that's safe for the surface | Never submerge; keep liquid out of speakers and battery doors |
| Board books and cardboard puzzles | Wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry | Replace when they get soggy or chewed |
CDC bleach methods for hard toys
For hard, non-porous toys (no wood, fabric or electronics), the CDC describes two strengths of bleach solution: a weak one that sanitizes and a stronger one that disinfects.
To sanitize (everyday care of toys that go in mouths)
The CDC's child-care guidance uses this dilute bleach sanitizing soak:
- Clean first with soap and water and rinse.
- Mix fresh: 1 tablespoon of unscented household bleach in 1 gallon of water.
- Soak the toys for at least 2 minutes.
- Remove them with clean hands or tongs.
- Air-dry completely before your child uses them again. The CDC says not to rinse after this sanitizing soak, because germs could get back onto the items.
To disinfect (after someone has been sick)
- Clean first with soap and water and rinse.
- Follow the disinfecting directions on your bleach bottle. If the bottle has no directions, the CDC's household figure is 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room-temperature water, or 4 teaspoons per quart (CDC: Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach).
- Keep the toys wet for the contact time on the label, or for at least 1 minute if there are no directions.
- Rinse toys that go in your child's mouth with clean water, because this solution is much stronger, then let everything air-dry completely.
The CDC notes that disinfecting at home is usually only needed when someone in the home is sick or a sick person has recently visited.
Safety: wear gloves, keep the room ventilated, and keep the bucket and bottle out of children's reach. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners: the CDC warns this can cause serious injury or death. Use plain unscented household bleach and make a fresh solution each day you clean: the CDC says diluted bleach loses strength after 24 hours.
Using disinfectant sprays and wipes
- Choose an EPA-registered product and read the whole label first (EPA: six steps for safe and effective disinfectant use).
- Keep the surface wet for the full contact time the label gives. If it dries sooner, it hasn't finished killing germs.
- The label also tells you whether surfaces that touch food or mouths need a rinse with water afterward. Follow it for toys babies chew.
- Let the toy dry completely, and store disinfectants and wipes where children can't reach them.
"Natural" ways to clean toys
Soap and warm water, the dishwasher and a hot wash are already gentle and effective, and for everyday cleaning that's all most toys need. Vinegar and baking soda can help remove grime and smells, but household vinegar isn't an EPA-registered disinfectant. When you need to disinfect (after illness, for example), use bleach or a registered product as the label directs.
How often should you clean toys?
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Toys your baby mouths | Clean when soiled and sanitize regularly; child-care centers sanitize them after each child's use |
| Everyday toys | Clean when they look or feel dirty |
| After someone has been sick | Clean, then disinfect the toys they played with |
| After playdates or visitors | Clean shared toys, sanitize the ones that went in mouths |
| Bath toys | Empty and air-dry after every bath; deep-clean often |
A simple toy rotation makes this easier: clean the toys as you put a set away.
When to throw a toy away
- Squirt toys with black specks inside that won't rinse out.
- Cracked plastic, loose small parts or torn seams that expose stuffing (a choking risk).
- Plush that can't be washed and stays dirty or smells musty.
- Any toy that has been recalled. Check CPSC Recalls.
Toy cleaning FAQ
What is the safest way to disinfect baby toys?
Clean them with soap and warm water first. For everyday care, sanitize: use the dishwasher for dishwasher-safe hard toys, or the CDC's dilute bleach sanitizing soak (1 tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water, at least 2 minutes), then air-dry. To disinfect after illness, use a stronger solution: follow the bleach label, or the CDC's household figure of 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) per gallon, keep the toys wet for the contact time (at least 1 minute), then rinse mouthed toys with clean water and air-dry.
Do I need to rinse toys after a bleach solution?
It depends on the strength. The CDC's child-care guidance says not to rinse after the dilute bleach sanitizing soak, so germs don't get back on; let the toys air-dry completely. After the stronger disinfecting solution, rinse toys that go in your child's mouth with clean water, then air-dry. For commercial sprays and wipes, follow the label: some require a water rinse on surfaces that touch mouths or food.
Can I put baby toys in the dishwasher?
Yes, if the toy is hard plastic or silicone and the label says it's dishwasher-safe. Use the top rack and a sanitizing cycle if you have one. Keep wood, fabric and battery toys out.
How do I clean stuffed animals?
Machine-wash them in a mesh bag on the warmest setting the label allows and dry them completely. Spot-clean toys with batteries or glued parts.
How do I keep bath toys from getting moldy?
Squeeze out the water after every bath and let toys air-dry. Toys without holes are easiest to keep clean; replace squirt toys if you see mold inside.
Is vinegar enough to disinfect toys?
Vinegar can help clean, but it isn't an EPA-registered disinfectant. To disinfect after illness, use dilute bleach or an EPA-registered product following the label.
More from ParentsNeed
- Bath toys for toddlers
- Wooden toys
- Toy storage box buying guide
- Best toys for kids
- Basics for cleaning a baby
Sources
- CDC, How To Clean and Disinfect Early Care and Education Settings (April 2024)
- CDC, Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach (April 2024)
- U.S. EPA, Six Steps for Safe & Effective Disinfectant Use
- U.S. CPSC, Recalls
