Child Safety: Washing Toys to Prevent Germs

Washing and disinfecting toys and surfaces helps reduce the spread of germs, especially in child care settings or other areas where many children are together.

• Store dirty toys in a bin that is out of your child's reach. When a toy gets dirty, such as after a child has played with it and put it in their mouth, put it in the bin. If you can't wash the toys right away, set them aside to wash later.
• Scrub toys with soap and water. This works well to remove germs from surfaces. This method is a good choice for surfaces that might be damaged by chemical disinfectants, such as some furniture.
• Disinfect toys and surfaces when you can. Dishwashers are a convenient and effective way to disinfect some toys. Chemicals such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach are used to disinfect surfaces and objects. You can find a wide variety of products with varying ingredients. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions exactly as printed on the label.
• Do not mix bleach with other liquids or cleaners, because the mixture can produce a toxic gas. Bleach should be mixed only with water. Keep all chemicals out of reach of children.