10/8/09

De-germing Kids Toys the Natural Way

If your kids have been sick or if you've had kids over to your house who were sick, it's a good idea to not only give your light switches, door knobs and surfaces a disinfecting wipe down, but also your kids toys.

Even if your kids haven't been sick it's a good rule of thumb to clean their toys monthly, but plastic, metal, and wood toys that babies put in their mouths need to be cleaned more frequently- as often as daily or three times a week.

To make an good, environmentally friendly antibacterial cleaner at home, fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way with white vinegar, add a drop or two of dish soap and fill the remaining space in the bottle with water. For those of you who equate a 'clean' smell with the smell of bleach, get used to the fresh scent of this cleaner! If you want it to smell more fragrant you can add a drop or two of lavender oil, which also has natural antibacterial powers.

Non-electronic plastic and metal toys can be dropped in the shower and sprayed with the home made cleaner listed above, then rinsed.


To clean board books, spray with white vinegar or a widely available eco-cleaner and wipe with damp cloth.


For stuffed animals and other plush toys, toss them into a pillow case or mesh bag made for delicates and put in the freezer for 24 hours to kill germs and mites, then run them through your next laundry cycle.


Good luck keeping germs at bay this winter season with our tips and home made cleaner recipe!



No comments: