You’re a new parent. You’ve got a tiny, squeaky thing that will melt your heart and scare you to death at the same time; and you’re in charge of keeping it alive. (Who thought your life would come to this?) But on top of all the other responsibilities you have, you also need to make sure your baby’s toys are clean. So how do you do it effectively?

Rubber toys:

Rubber toys are usually made of latex and plastic compound. They have pores which can be filled with germs if not cleaned properly after every use. Dust and dirt accumulate in the pores and makes it difficult to clean it completely. The pores become bigger when they are filled with dust and dirt after every use making it even more difficult to clean it completely. Wipe them with a slightly damp cloth and allow to air dry before putting them away. You can also wipe them down with a 10% bleach solution or use a toy cleaner that you dilute in water. You can also use cleaning liquids like The Better Home’s multipurpose cleaners to wipe the surface of the toy.

Wooden toys:

Toys made of wood absorb moisture from the atmosphere which makes them prone to fungal growth. The wooden toys are meant for children who love to play outdoors. Kids will play wherever they find some space. Wooden blocks, cars and other toys are also places where germs are easily caught by kids. They will touch one toy then move on to another one without washing their hands first. This is how germs spread from one toy to another easily affecting the health of the children who play with these toys often.

Mix 1/2 liter water with 2 tablespoons vinegar in a bowl Clean the toys with a brush Add 1 tablespoon baking soda Let the toys soak for about 10 minutes Wash them in warm water Wipe with a rag that has been soaked in vinegar Rinse again Dry them off with a towel. This method is only useful for toys made with hardwood like oak, beech and ash. For anything else, clean the surface of the toy with a mild surfactant. You can take a few drops of The Better Home's laundry liquid on a damp cloth for a quick clean up.

Plastic toys:

Toys made of plastic are easy to clean because they don't hold onto dirt like other toys do. Cleaning these toys properly will keep your kids safe from germs and from ingesting nasty chemicals from cleaning products. Here's how to clean plastic toys at home.

Soak the toy in warm water for around ten minutes. This will remove any dirt and stains from the toy, if any. Use a mild dish-washing liquid or detergent to clean the toy in a sink. Always check if the toy is safe for being cleaned with such detergent before you start cleaning it.

Use a soft cloth or sponge to rub the detergent on the toy's surface, while avoiding its eyes and other delicate parts of the toy which may get damaged by rough scrubbing. Rinse it under running water to remove all traces of soap and dirt from it.