Sterilization 101

[5 Little Monkeys]

I use a Clorox hard surface spray designed for children and pets which requires no rinsing. I order it online after I did a lot of research on what I could safely use. It is not a natural cleaner which actually doesn't disinfect, but it has been deemed safe to use in nurseries and around children and animals so I'm happy with that. I feel uncomfortable using bleach to be honest and I am yet to find another product that is approved for childcare so I stick with this. I spray that stuff on everything from toys and books, to play pens and highchairs. No more soaking in the bath tub....I remember doing that and boy what an ordeal!!!

Could you post a link to this? I'd like to use this spray for disinfecting but I'd still like to wipe down the toys once in awhile to get the "gunk" off them

[Lee-Bee]

I have a 5 small mesh bags (for laundry). I fill them with small plastic toys. Put them on the rocks in the dishwasher (making sure the toys inside are lying so they don't fill up with water). I add a small amount of dishwasher detergent and run it on a short cycle. The hot water and heat should be enough to kill most germs.

Once done I shake them over the sink to get rid of excess water and then air dry.

Larger plastic toys go in the dishwasher without the bags. I don't do this all that often. It will take the stickers off some toys.

In the daycares we used to run all the toys through the sterilizer that washed all the dishes. Fast and effective.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have a 5 small mesh bags (for laundry). I fill them with small plastic toys. Put them on the rocks in the dishwasher (making sure the toys inside are lying so they don't fill up with water). I add a small amount of dishwasher detergent and run it on a short cycle. The hot water and heat should be enough to kill most germs.

Once done I shake them over the sink to get rid of excess water and then air dry.

Larger plastic toys go in the dishwasher without the bags. I don't do this all that often. It will take the stickers off some toys.

In the daycares we used to run all the toys through the sterilizer that washed all the dishes. Fast and effective.

We used to do that too (run toys through the sterilizer) and than were told it was unsanitary?? However, we still did it occasionally....shhh h!!! Lol

[kindertime]

We used to do that too (run toys through the sterilizer) and than were told it was unsanitary?? However, we still did it occasionally....shhh h!!! Lol

I don't claim to know what a sterilizer is, but assume it's like a dishwasher, so... if it sterilizes things... how could it be unsanitary? I honestly never considered used the dishwasher for toys. I run a very full load everyday as it is now but will give this a try.