Sterilizing Toys

[Angie]

Ok, this might be a stupid question, but how do you guys sterilize large toys? For the small ones, I throw the plush ones in the washing machine and the plastic ones in the dishwasher, but what about sterilizing something like the big plastic piece of an Exersaucer (it's way too big for the dishwasher)? DD constantly drools all over that thing, then touches it with her hands (which go promptly into her mouth). We also have cats that rub against it, etc. I don't want to use harsh chemicals since her little hands will be touching it. Thanks!

[Sevilla]

I never sterilized anything at our house and DS didn't seem to be negatively affected by it - if you want to you could make a solution of vinegar+water with a little tea tree oil and that can help clean it.

[karlatta]

Like Sevilla, I haven't sterilized anything of the kids. I throw stuffed animals in the washing machine when they're visibly dirty, and I wipe stuff down when I can tell there's gunk on it, but that's it.

If I do need to clean something, I usually use a water + vinegar solution. Sometimes I add in a little Dr. Bronner's soap.

[Peever]

I don't sterlize anything either. I just use soap and water on the exersaucer.

[lil_nance]

I've never sterilized anything. If something is sticky I'll use a wipe or soap and water to clean it off. We've been doing playgroups and MOMS Club since DS was 3mo and have never had any big issues, even with the extra germs. I think it helps them have a better immune system to be exposed to some stuff. Oh and we have a dog too. DD loves to try to eat the fur.

[TracyDP]

I've never sterilized anything. If something is sticky I'll use a wipe or soap and water to clean it off. We've been doing playgroups and MOMS Club since DS was 3mo and have never had any big issues, even with the extra germs. I think it helps them have a better immune system to be exposed to some stuff. Oh and we have a dog too. DD loves to try to eat the fur.

Ditto this. I wipe stuff up if it spills, I use a wet washcloth to scrub spit-up off of her bouncy seat cover, etc. I use Lysol on toys I get from a thrift store or from someone else, then wipe it down with a wet cloth but that's as close to sterilization I ever get. I use a clorox wipe on shopping carts before I put DD in but don't have a fancy cart cover. I also believe (and my Microbiologist mom agrees) that sterilizing everything can have a counter-productive effect on babies/childrens immune systems. She believs that one of the reasons asthma rates in children are so much higher now (and much higher here in the US vs. other parts of the world) is due to all the anti-bacterial sprays, cleaners, air-fresheners killing ALL bacteria, even the beneficial ones. Children are not getting exposure to what they need for immune system growth. FWIW My DD is 9m old, formula fed from birth (couldn't BF due to medical reasons) and has had exactly one minor cold since birth. If my Mom is right about exposure to regular every-day dirt is the way babies develop good immune systems my baby should be very very healthy!

Not that I'm trying to judge people who do want things sparkling clean, it's actually a trait I wish I had more of. I'm just saying don't run yourself ragged or make yourself crazy over sterilizing stuff. You have enough to worry about as a new mom that you don't need this adding to it. Your DD will be just fine.

Also, once they start crawling (not sure how old your DD is) you are going to make yourself CRAZY if you try and keep things sterilized and spotlessly clean. I'm lucky if I manage to vacuum twice a week so DD is always crawling on the carpet DH, me and the cat are walking on. Now that she's mobile I'm MUCH more worried about babyproofing so a bookcase doens't come down on her or she doesn't chew into a power cord than I am about germs.

[Scooter]

Another vote for a vinegar & water solution. Just mix equal parts. I keep some in a spray bottle and use it for most messes. When it evaporates the taste & scent go away, so it shouldn't bother her if she chews something later.

We usually use the washing machine or dishwasher (or use dish soap in the sink) for most toys, but for stuff like that I just use that spray. I believe it's good for their immunity to be exposed to some dirt, so I generally don't worry too much about keeping things constantly clean.

[Kanga]

I wouldn't sterilize just to sterilize, but I used straight vinegar after a nasty stomach bug. We periodically host playgroup here and wanted to be damn sure nobody else caught it from us. Vinegar diluted with water probably would have been good enough, but like I said I wasn't taking any chances.

[mcgwigan]

I think sterilization is more of an issue if you have other children using the toys. When I worked in daycare, we used water & bleach solutuion on everything - just make sure it's absolutely dry!

[karlatta]

I think sterilization is more of an issue if you have other children using the toys. When I worked in daycare, we used water & bleach solutuion on everything - just make sure it's absolutely dry!
I have two kids, and we have friends over all the time. Lots of germ sharing, and I still don't sterilize. Like TracyDP's post says, I think it's good for babies/kids to be exposed to a lot.

[RobynScott]

Phew! I'm glad to read these responses b/c I was like "sterilize? huh?" b/c I never have (except for bottles / pacifiers). Even now that he's crawling - the biggest change is that we no longer (most of the time) wear our shoes in the house.

[MichelleRenee]

The only toys we sterilize are ones we buy from second-hand shops and we just wipe them down with Clorox wipes and then wipe a few more times with plain water on a washcloth.

I also do this with toys that we are putting into storage because DS is done with them, like the Jumperoo.

[jh124]

The only toys we sterilize are ones we buy from second-hand shops and we just wipe them down with Clorox wipes and then wipe a few more times with plain water on a washcloth.

I also do this with toys that we are putting into storage because DS is done with them, like the Jumperoo.


Ditto here, or toys we are taking out of storage.

[cr8zyforaf]

I am with the others..the only things I've sterilized have been second hand items.

We are getting ready to take everything out of storage for Baby #2 so I will clean those items up.

[Daniel's Kitty]

I avoid almost all of the clorox and lysol stuff since it causes a reaction in ds2.

I will use vinegar water or a little peroxide if I need to disinfect something. I don't worry much about germs though.

[Angie]

Thanks for the replies ladies! It's funny, when it comes to me, I'm not very worried about germs (I've eaten my share of food off the floor ;)). I'll just need to relax more with DD otherwise I will drive myself crazy once she starts crawling and then sticking her hands full of cat hair that she gathered off the ground in her mouth.