How To Disinfect Soft Toys?

How To Disinfect Soft Toys? There is nothing more comforting than coming home and hugging your favorite soft toy. But, after some time passes, you come to realize that your pet’s love is also accompanied by the many germs and bacteria that they bring home with them from their daily adventures. You can protect yourself from illness by disinfecting those beloved toys periodically.

Here are tips on How To Disinfect Soft Toys:

Tip #1: Use Vinegar and Alcohol Mixed Solution

Combine two cups of water and one cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake well before using this solution to disinfect hard surfaces such as cloth or wood toys. Do not use this mixture on vinyl or plastic toys as the combination may damage the toy.

Add one cup of vinegar to two cups of water in the same spray bottle and shake well. Spray this mixture on soft toys made from cloth or fabric, including stuffed animals, pillows, and blankets, to kill germs naturally without using harsh chemicals.

Tip #2: Bleach Soft Toys

Mix ¼ cup bleach with one gallon of water in a plastic container large enough for your soft toy. Immerse the soft toy into the solution for at least five minutes. Rinse well with warm water before allowing it to air dry in a sunny location outside, if possible. If you cannot allow the toy to fully dry in direct sunlight, lay it out flat inside until it is completely dry before placing your pet back into contact with it.

Tip #3: Use Tumble Dry Setting in the Clothes Dryer

Tumble dry your soft toy on high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill any germs and bacteria from building up dust or dirt from regular use without using harsh chemicals. Allow the stuffed animal to fully air dry outside afterward. Do not place other types of toys in with this plush, as the fabric can catch fire in a clothes dryer.

To add a fresh scent to your toy while disinfecting, add one cup of baking soda into the load during the rinse cycle before drying. The baking soda will help neutralize odors while disinfecting at the same time. Baking soda is non-toxic and safe if ingested by pets or children who may play with the toy.

Tip #4: Use Dish Soap & Water Solution to Clean Toys

Mix one part dish soap, such as Ivory Snow dish liquid, with 10 parts water in a plastic bowl or bucket. Immerse your soft toys into this solution for five minutes before rinsing well with warm water and allowing it to fully dry outside in direct sunlight if possible. If you cannot allow the toy to fully dry in direct sunlight, lay it out flat inside until it is completely dry before placing your pet back into contact with it.

Tip #5: Use Peroxide & Water Solution on Damaged Plush

Combine one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with three parts of warm water in a small plastic bowl. Soak your plush toy in this solution for at least five minutes, before rinsing well with clean water and allowing it to fully air dry outside in direct sunlight if possible. If you cannot allow the toy to fully dry in direct sunlight, lay it out flat inside until it is completely dry before placing your pet back into contact with it.

Tip #6: Use Baking Soda & Salt Solution on Stuffed Animal

Combine one cup of baking soda mixed with three cups of salt together in a container large enough to hold your stuffed animal.

Add small amounts of water periodically to avoid clumping as you stir the mixture together until the salt and baking soda are fully dissolved, creating a paste-like consistency.

Use an old toothbrush to apply this mixture over the entire surface of the stuffed animal. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing well with warm water and allowing it to air dry outside in direct sunlight, if possible. If you cannot allow the toy to fully dry in direct sunlight, lay it out flat inside until it is completely dry before placing your pet back into contact with it.

Tip #7: Use Distilled White Vinegar & Water Solution on Soft Toys

Combine one part distilled white vinegar with 10 parts warm water in a small plastic bowl or bucket large enough to hold your soft toy. Immerse your plush toy into this solution for at least five minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water and allowing it to fully air dry outside in direct sunlight, if possible. If you cannot allow the toy to fully dry in direct sunlight, lay it out flat inside until it is completely dry before placing your pet back into contact with it.

Tip #8: Heat Treatment of Stuffed Animals

Place soft toys into an oven-safe container, such as a cardboard box — and set your oven to its lowest possible temperature.

Let the toy bake inside for at least 30 minutes before removing, allowing it to cool down until touching, and checking that the interior is completely dry. If not, place back into a warm oven for a few more minutes before fully cooling.

Tip #9: HEPA Vacuum Cleaner Use on Stuffed Toys

Purchase a vacuum cleaner with a High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter system or use a Hepa filter as an additional accessory for another type of vacuum cleaner.

Use this device repeatedly throughout each day to increase the circulation of fresh air through your home to help rid any lingering airborne viruses from the room where you keep your plush toys.

How To Disinfect Soft Toys? – Summary:

There are several ways on how you can clean up your soft toys without risking exposure of your child to harmful chemicals. These include using baking soda, rubbing alcohol, bleach, water, dryer sheets, and even sunlight as these disinfectants work well against germs without leaving any unpleasant smell that may not be safe for your child to inhale.

Using antibacterial sprays, microwave bags and alcohol wipes are also practical options that can save you time while effectively removing dirt or stains.

We hope you enjoyed and learned something from this article – How To Disinfect Soft Toys? Good luck!