If you're reading this thinking to yourself that you never clean your kids' toys, that's ok.
Moms are constantly cleaning and picking up after their children, but do you clean your children's toys regularly? The answer to this question likely varies based on the type of toy and the age of your children. If you have a baby or toddler who is putting everything they play with in their mouth, those toys should definitely be cleaned with mild soap and a good rinse. But what about your kindergartner's many plastic figures? Or your preteen's Legos? How often do you deep clean the dollhouse?
If you're reading this thinking to yourself that you never clean your kid's toys, that's ok. We all have items and toys lying around that don't get cleaned enough, and we also feel no shame. It happens. Cleaning your children's toys will not be a full-time job, but it is one of those motherly tasks that need to be done every once in a while because kids are messy.
When cleaning toys, keep the products you use on them as basic and bland as possible. You don't want to damage a toy, and you do want to make sure it's clean and ready to play with again soon. Good Housekeeping advises not to use vinegar when cleaning toys because it doesn't disinfect the toys enough. Good old-fashioned soap and water are the best cleaning agent for plastic toys.
Stuffed animals can be run through a washing machine. Washing them in mesh bags on a more delicate cycle will keep them safe and feel soft when done. Check their tags for better information but even those who are spot cleaned may be ok in the washing machine, especially if they really need it.
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If you're the kind of family that has a good assortment of toys, you don't need to clean all those toys constantly. Only clean the ones that are currently being played with the most and see the most traffic. Dollhouses, playhouses, and other plastic structures that sit out do get dusty. A slightly damp rag once a week will take care of this problem and keep the dust from adding up. Don't waste your precious time cleaning toys that are sitting unused in toy bins and in closets.
Source: Good Housekeeping, Pine Tree Montessori, Molly Maid
Larissa Marulli is a mom to two young school-aged kids. She received a degree in journalism shortly before having her first child and is a news and features writer for Moms. The proud mom of two is from Colorado and loves the mountains. changing seasons, and hot coffee all year round. Larissa has seen it all and has struggled with the challenges of motherhood. She is getting better with age and prides herself in using the written word to entertain others as well as educate. Larissa loves books, napping, people in small doses, and her family.