Disinfecting toys

[playfelt]

There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting and not all solutions that "clean" do a strong enough job of disinfecting for what we are expected to do.

On the other hand I wonder if we worry too much about the disinfecting to the point we waste our time since by the end of the day the kids have all touched and played with the same surfaces anyway transferring the germs amongst themselves. Which does explain why spending hours sanitizing doesn't always prevent the spread of colds and flu in the daycare just tires us out when we should have been taking care of ourselves all evening so can fight off the viruses too.

[Rhonda]

There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting and not all solutions that "clean" do a strong enough job of disinfecting for what we are expected to do.

I agree. There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting, in my books. Unless my daycare has something contagious being spread (worse than a cold) I do not disinfect my daycare. Disinfecting means getting rid of the good germies and the bad germies and starting with a clean surface. Essentially, we need the good germies to help fight off the bad germies so this isn't always a good thing, imo.

Bleach, tea tree oil, dettol, vinegar are all cleaners but not disinfectants. They clean the surfaces and leave behind good germies.

I find in my network of friends, I am the only home daycare that does not use disinfectants in my home/daycare nor will I use antibacterials. Amazingly enough, my kids and I are the healthiest group out of the bunch.

[Play and Learn]

Amazingly enough, my kids and I are the healthiest group out of the bunch.

This is soooo true! And Amazing!

[sunnydays]

I often wonder the same thing! My kids are all little, so they all put everything in their mouths and it is nearly impossible to wash things every time. I do clean surfaces and toys regularly, but often wonder if it is a waste of time.

There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting and not all solutions that "clean" do a strong enough job of disinfecting for what we are expected to do.

On the other hand I wonder if we worry too much about the disinfecting to the point we waste our time since by the end of the day the kids have all touched and played with the same surfaces anyway transferring the germs amongst themselves. Which does explain why spending hours sanitizing doesn't always prevent the spread of colds and flu in the daycare just tires us out when we should have been taking care of ourselves all evening so can fight off the viruses too.

[Sarah A]

There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting and not all solutions that "clean" do a strong enough job of disinfecting for what we are expected to do.

On the other hand I wonder if we worry too much about the disinfecting to the point we waste our time since by the end of the day the kids have all touched and played with the same surfaces anyway transferring the germs amongst themselves. Which does explain why spending hours sanitizing doesn't always prevent the spread of colds and flu in the daycare just tires us out when we should have been taking care of ourselves all evening so can fight off the viruses too.

I do agree. I am with an agency and they suggest bleach and water to disinfect. Not a fan of bleach as I don't like using it around the house. Smell is too strong and I don't feel right having it around the kids.

What are your ratios for tea tree oil, vinegar or any other natural cleaner/disinfectant?