What are the recommendations for Cleaning Children Toys to Prevent COVID-19? Covid19 has forced us to live in constant fear. We cannot take any risk. Therefore, we are trying our best to create a virus-free environment. It can be possible with regular cleaning and disinfecting.
However, we are focusing on surfaces and other vulnerable areas. Have you ever thought of cleaning children’s toys? Yes, we will have to go a step ahead and clean all the possible places. Even if your kids are restricted indoors, toys can be the source of infection.
Your kid will be spending most of her time with toys. As your little one will be inside the home always, she has no other option except to play with toys. Also, you might be playing with your kid. Other family members might be touching toys. However, you all might be going outside and might be exposed to the virus directly or indirectly.
What will happen if you touch the toy accidentally after coming from outside? The Singapore environment is not that favorable now. The virus is still causing infections and taking lives. Therefore, you will have to minimize the risk with adequate measures.
When it comes to kids, they spend most of their time with toys. Hence, you will have to clean and disinfect their toys to prevent Covid-19 and other infections.
We know that Covid19 can survive for days on surfaces. Also, the virus can spread to the eyes, mouth, and nose without direct contact through surfaces. The best way to protect your children from this deadly virus is to clean their toys. Also, you can inspire them to wash their hands with soaps for twenty seconds.
Proper cleaning will remove the virus present on the surface. Both disinfecting and cleaning will work on the virus. However, cleaning will remove the virus, germs, and dirt. On the other hand, disinfecting will kill them. Cleaning is safe since you will use water and soap.
However, you will have to use chemicals for disinfecting. Regular use of chemicals might cause some adverse effects. You can use sanitizers and disinfectants to sanitize light switches, doorknobs, tables, washroom, and high touched areas. But you can use soap and water to clean your hands. Also, you will have to clean the toys of your kids.
You will find different types of cleaning solutions in Singapore. However, you will have to choose safe cleaning solutions for your kids’ toys. Let’s know how to clean different types of toys.
When the toys are dishwasher safer, you can easily clean them with your dishes. The process will be easy, less time-consuming, and hassle-free. However, you can place them on the top rack to prevent mangling.
For nonporous and washable toys, you can consider using diluted bleach. Prepare a solution with one gallon water and 1/3 cup bleach in a bucket. Clean the excess dirt from the toys and then place them in that bucket. Leave them for five minutes, and then you can rinse those toys with water. After washing, you will have to dry the toys properly before reusing them.
You cannot soak the wooden blocks in the water. Water will damage the material. Instead, you can take an alcohol-based sanitizer and use it to wipe those toys. Allow them to dry completely. After drying up, your kids can resume playing with those toys.
Your kid might have some favorite coloring books. However, you cannot wash those books. But you can take some steps to sanitize papers. Also, you can dispose of all the old and torn books. These books collect more germs and dust. After getting rid of old books, you can disinfect the surface.
When it comes to exposed books, you can keep them in an isolated place for a couple of weeks. You can also use some suitable sanitizers to sanitize books. However, it is better not to use exposed books for two weeks.
Kids love to play with fabricated toys. If you have comfort blankets, loveys, stuffed animals, and cloth books, you can clean them in your washing machine. They are washable, and you can easily clean them with a suitable detergent. However, you can keep those toys inside a lingerie bag or pillowcase to protect the fabrics.
While cleaning fabric toys in your washing machine, you will have to ensure that they do not have any electronics inside. The electronics might damage with direct water and detergent exposure. If it happens, your kid will be sad, and you will end up buying new ones.
Electronics will demand more effort than other toys. Also, you will have to follow the instructions of manufacturers while cleaning electronics. There might be some instructions for disinfecting as well. However, when cleaning instructions are not available, you can search online for some cleaning tips. You can also consider the following.
You do not need to clean all the toys daily. You can clean your kid’s favorite toys once a week. However, if the toy is visibly dirty, you can consider early cleaning. Also, if any toy gets coughing and sneezing exposure, you will have to disinfect it immediately.
The covid-19 will be around for a few years. We cannot do much except focusing on preventive measures. Our kids are the most affected since they cannot venture out of the home.
Therefore, you will have to keep these little minds busy while following all the safety measures. You cannot buy them new toys every day. But yes, you can focus on variations. Also, clean their toys regularly and encourage them not to touch their nose and eyes frequently. Let’s create a safe and fun environment for them during this pandemic.