If you’re a parent, you know that having a baby is messy business – like, literally.
While it is a chore to keep repeatedly cleaning baby stuff, as parents, we also cannot afford to do it haphazardly and risk introducing harmful bacteria to our newborns and toddlers.
Here is the an easy cleaning guide to keeping baby stuff germ-free:
Stuffed Animals
Your kids’ favorite stuffed animals can get grimy and icky and could be tricky to wash, as some children cannot sleep without them! First off – check the toys’ label if it’s machine washable and go for it. If not, you can place the stuffed toy in a pillowcase with a cup of baking soda, and toss around to distribute the baking soda. This will lift ground-in dirt. Take out the stuffed toy and shake off the excess baking soda, and vacuum the rest. Lastly, use a damp cloth to spot-clean.
Bath Toys
Don’t believe everything you see on Pinterest about putting baby toys into a dishwasher. Not all toys are able to withstand the dishwasher heat and may break down the plastic over time.
A safer cleaning option is to make a solution of ¾ cup bleach to 1 gallon water in a bucket and dump the toys in. For hollow toys like rubber duckies, suction some of the cleaning solution in and shake vigorously. Squeeze the liquid out, rinse thoroughly with hot water, and let dry.
High Chairs
Many people agree that high chairs are tricky objects to keep germ-free as some straps are not removable. What you can do is scrub the straps with an old toothbrush and a 50-50 vinegar-water mix. Also remember to remove the seat cushions and wash them out.
Sippy Cups
If your kid’s cup starts to smell bad, the valve and the silicone spout are likely to blame. To keep them germ-free, you can put these pieces in a container, bury them in baking soda, and leave them overnight. In the morning, soak all the pieces in equal parts water and white vinegar enough to cover the pieces for up to 12 hours. Finally, use a bottle brush to scrub them off, and rinse.
Read the full article on Parents.com here for more tips on keeping baby stuff germ-free.
