Disinfecting many toys at once

[Daycare123]

I use pure white vinegar on my toys for disinfecting and cleaning-it actually doesn't smell after and hour or so and is safe!

[mom-in-alberta]

Yesterday I found (on Pinterest) that you can place some citrus peels (lemon, orange, whatever you like better) in a quart of white vinegar and let it "steep" in a sealed container for a week. Then mix with equal parts water in a spray bottle to use for all purpose cleaning.
Will definitely be trying this!!!

[jec]

I use vinegar/water/essential oil lemon. I have a couple of little ones who I am constantly telling to take toys out of their mouths (teething fun) and I take the toy away and place aside to wipe down later. I clean all toys a couple of times a week

[treeholm]

I used a small steam cleaner (shark) at the music studio where I taught Kindermusik, so I plan to get one when I open my daycare. We always had tons of toys that the babies would mouth, and it would have taken forever to wipe them all. I would just spread them on the carpet after class and steam them. We were ready for the next class then!

[Harmoni]

I used to put all toys in bathtub with bleach water and then just a water rinse. But now I put them into the front load washer on gentle cycle, works FABULOUS on all those little play dishes and food! Then they come out rinsed and layed on towels to dry. I still use the bathtub method with the trucks and other little things like that with little pieces that might get lost in washer. But honestly I don't wash them all very often unless it is potty training time or someone has had an accident.

[BlueRose]

I don't start my dc until Oct. but what I do with my kids toys is, anything that can go in water gets thrown into the bathtub with very hot water and vinegar. I leave them there until the water is cold, then wipe them down as I take them out. For stuff toys i put them in pillow cases put a not in the end and throw them in the washer. if it can't go in the washer or tub I wipe it down with hot water and vinegar. I am planning on doing the same thing with the dc toys.

[treeholm]

When I taught Kindermusik classes, we used a shark steamer on all the toys between classes. I only had 10 minutes to disinfect all the toys before the next class arrived. It worked very well. I am looking for one for my daycare now. I believe the Kindermusik studio owner said she bought it at Canadian Tire. you just plug it in, wait a minute, and spray the toys.

[kidlove]

Bleach is the BEST way to go, you dilute in water and use rag to wipe all toys down. I have been told if you use a product like lysol, you just have to wait for it to dry then its ok for kids, but i feel the chemicals are still there. heres the thing, although I am a germ freak and enjoy bleach because it works great, there is also nothing wrong with bleach like once every week or two and just regular soap and hot water daily or semi-daily. I think too many people are too afraid of germs, when I started I was this way, but I came to realize.......builds immunity to come in contact with a little germs. The ONLY time I REALLY worry about germs is when a child is ILL (cold symptoms/runny nose/coughing) then I will take away alot of the toys, use a chosen bunch and clean them really well at the end of the day. Another idea for small/hard toys is to throw them in the wash machine on super hot with bleach. Works Great and easy!

[kidlove]

Awsome idea!!!!! steam them clean, way easier than wiping every nook and cranny!!!

[playfelt]

Awsome idea!!!!! steam them clean, way easier than wiping every nook and cranny!!!

How is the steamer at getting into the nooks and crannies of the toys or do you still have to do that periodically. Toys seem to have so many ridges and corners and parts.

I normally just use dishsoap and water and a toothbrush for the crannies and only do it every couple months. I figure if dishsoap is good enough to wash the dishes we eat off and silverware we put in our mouth it is good enough for the toys.