How often should baby toys be cleaned and/or sanitized?

[PoetryLover]

I just have 1 infant who plays with his toys. There usually aren't other children playing with them, as well. I'm asking regarding things like rattles, cloth books, frequently "mouthed" toys and also larger toys/equipment, such as Little Tikes things or Exersaucers and Highchairs. I know to clean any messes/spills immediately, but I'm talking about general sanitizing outside that.

I'm following the Motivated Moms chore list and am adding a few things not included. I didn't know the frequency for this particular chore.

Thanks so much!

[tzs]

when i worked at a preschool with tons of kids mouthing the toys: once a week

at my house: never

[PoetryLover]

When I worked in childcare, for older kids it was once a week and infants toys were done daily. I guess that's why I'm wondering now. I'm obviously not sanitizing them with the frequency I would at daycare, but how frequently should I sanitize them? (Or am I thinking too much?)

[lovermont]

they have to be sanatized?!?! lol

Yeah, I think you might be overthinking especially given how few babies are using these toys (mostly just your lo). I wouldn't worry. I think every once in a while we boiled pacifiers but that's it. Obviously, like you said, if a toy gets dirty by something being spilled on it (food, body fluids) then I would throw toys in the sink to be washed with dishes or in the washing machine if that seems most sensible. Otherwise wipe things down.

[Artichokie]

i have never sanitized a toy in my life. I've washed them on occasion I guess.

[Mama Mko]

I also never sanitized any toys. I washed them with soap and water if they needed it.

[PoetryLover]

I'm silly. I guess I'm thinking washing in the sink/washer or wiping them down/generally cleaning them is sanitizing them. Duh. So how often should I generally clean them? (Maybe I should rename the thread now?)

[texaspeach]

I don't sanitize but I do throw little stuff in the washing machine in a lingerie bag once a week

[Multimomma]

Sanitize when they've been sick, get rid of those germs!

[cristeen]

Depends on the toy, but I generally clean it when it looks dirty. For one toy that's nearly every day. For the rest, that's mostly never.

[Juvysen]

I cleaned them when they got dirty looking. We stuck pacifiers in the dishwasher when we ran it (went around and collected them and stuffed them in the small-item compartment). I also did that with teethers occasionally.

Reading that it sounds like I've really got it together, but it was more often when I was like "ew, gross! Look how nasty this toy is!" and then I washed it. Pacifiers it was all dh - he's good at remembering that kind of thing.

[ASusan]

Never sanitized a toy.

I toss the stuffed animals in the dryer about once every 4 months to get the dust out.

[Katie T]

I never clean mine unless they look dirty or they have been throwing up and I worry there is some residue on the toys. So pretty much never lol.

They do pick toys from the toy box to take in the tub so they usually get cleaned without me doing it.

[2boyzmama]

Never. Germs aren't bad, it's how an immune system is built.

I do clean up spit-up, and if I catch the dog with the toy, I might wipe it off. If someone is sick, I'll put common toys in the dishwasher or clothes washer. *Sometimes*, if we've had a string of illnesses back to back, then I'll go through and clean things (open all windows, wash all towels/sheets, throw away tooth brushes, etc).

[mamadelbosque]

Another one whos never sanitized or otherwise cleaned any of our toys (outside of vacuming off obvious dust/dirt or rinsing them if like, they fell in the toilet/dogs bowl/etc).

[Llyra]

I clean them if they have obvious messes on them, or when they look scrufty and dusty. Which translates to not all that often. I'm pretty sure most of our toys have never once been cleaned ever. I don't worry about it.

[Peony]

Umm, if a child pukes on them. Other then that never.

[MamieCole]

I only wash/sanitize toys when other children (outside of our family) have played with them or put them in their mouth. (i.e. when we have company w/small kids or go elsewhere and another baby chews on DS's toys)
Otherwise, I never think about it.

[octobermoon]

i was just thinking about this today. guess i can relax. aaahhh...love it!

[zinemama]

I honestly cannot remember ever cleaning a toy in any fashion.