How to clean your toys

No one likes borrowing a dirty toy

Always set aside time to clean toys before returning them to the Toy Library.
Many families do this the night before and put the toys away from the children.

Prep your cleaning kit

An all-purpose cleaning formula which removes grease (e.g., bi-carb soda and vinegar, mild dishwashing liquid, or 'Spray and wipe').
Dish cloth (for example, 'Wettex').
An old toothbrush
Wooden skewer and cotton wool, to make a very fine cotton bud.
Tea towel.

Clean your toys

Where appropriate, wash the toy well in hot soapy water – using a toothbrush will help get into hard to reach places. While still damp, use the skewer cotton bud to clean all nooks, crannies, and edges so that the toy is perfectly clean. Dry the toy with a tea towel, or leave to dry overnight.

If your child has been ill

Please disinfect the toys by wiping over with a suitable disinfectant. Avoid soaking them in disinfectant — this may remove the colour from plastic toys. And please let a member of staff know on return so that we can isolate the toy for a period of time if needed.

Special tips

Baby rattles. Please remember not to immerse these toys, as they collect water within, which can lead to harmful bacteria developing. Ensure baby toys are rinsed thoroughly of cleaning agents.

Wooden toys and train sets. Scrub well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush. These toys should not be immersed or soaked.

Duplo/Lego. Wash well with hot soapy water and a toothbrush. Rinse and leave to drain overnight.

Bath toys (and toys you have used in the bath). These need to be cleaned and disinfected by wiping over with a suitable disinfectant. Avoid soaking them in disinfectant as this may remove the colour from plastic toys.

Outdoor/sandpit toys. These must be cleaned well remembering that the next member may wish to use it inside. Immerse in laundry tub. Remove all sand and dirt and wash well with hot soapy water.

Wooden puzzles. Wipe over all wooden pieces with a hot soapy cloth.

Board games and cardboard puzzles. Wipe over with a hot damp (not wet) cloth. Clean all puzzle and game pieces.

Fabric items (dress-ups/puppets/dolls bedding/infant soft toys). Hand wash or gentle machine wash with laundry detergent and hang to thoroughly dry.

Reducing risk for children with food allergies

Children with food allergies are at risk of allergic reactions if they play with toys that have the food they are allergic to on them. They could get skin reactions from touching food on toys or they could have a more severe allergic reaction if the food gets into their mouth (for example if food from the toy gets on to their fingers and then they put their fingers into their mouth). To reduce the risk of toys getting food on them we ask that you:

Do not allow your child to play with toys while they are eating
Wash your child’s hands after they have eaten or had a milk drink before they play with the toys
Wash any toys that accidentally get food or milk on them.

For children who have food allergies:

We recommend that you wash the toys prior to your child playing with them.
Teach your children not to put toys or their fingers into their mouth

For more information on food allergies, see Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia.