When your kids leave for college and the house grows emptier, you have more time to organize their old toys. The problem is those toys are still at home, occupying the same shelves they had when your kids were five. So now what? Whether they’re stored in a dusty attic or hidden under the bed, cleaning up kids’ toys becomes important. It’s not just about getting rid of dust and cobwebs; it’s also about making sure that there are no small parts that could be choked on or cause an injury if they snap off and become a potential choking hazard. But keeping a messy toy box is as much of a responsibility as having one. Moreover, by organizing all their stuff, you’re making it easier for them to find things when they come home on vacation or for Thanksgiving break. Check out these tips on how to clean kids toys:
Get out the vacuum
You may not think about vacuuming toys because they’re not really that dirty, but you’ll want to vacuum them before you do anything else. Small toys are covered in dust, allergens and child hair that can be extremely harmful to small children and pets if ingested. Vacuuming them will also make them easier to clean next. While you’re at it, shake out the mattress and vacuum it or take it outside and shake it off. Most of your kids’ toys will likely be stored in their bedroom and those are the places you should start cleaning first. If you only vacuum small toys like action figures, Legos and Hot Wheels, use a small vacuum cleaner to clean them up. For larger toys, use a standard vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Dust and wipe down anything fabric
Kids’ toys that are fabric should be hand-washed and dried thoroughly before you put them back in their toy box. If you have time, you can vacuum and dust them, too. If you don’t have time to hang them to dry, you can put them in the dryer on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls for a couple of cycles to get them clean and dry quickly. They may not smell fresh and clean, but they’ll be clean and dry. Wipe down anything that’s plastic because dust and grime will build up on them quickly. Make sure you wipe toys with lots of small crevices like building blocks, puzzles, etc. with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to remove any dust that’s settled inside. For wooden toys that you can’t put in the washer or dryer, you can use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe them down.
Toss anything that’s broken or stained
Kids’ toys break and stain quickly, but you don’t have to keep them if they’re completely broken or stained. If they’re stained, they’ll be difficult to clean and will probably smell like mildew in the long run. Broken toys can be a choking hazard and are difficult to clean. If you’re not sure if a toy is broken or stained, put it in a labeled bag and keep it in your kids’ room. You can get rid of it later when they come home on vacation or for Thanksgiving break. If a toy isn’t broken or stained, you can wipe it down with warm water, soap and a scrub brush or put it in the washer on the delicate cycle with a small amount of detergent. You can even put toys in a pillowcase and run it through the washer if it’s stained. Just make sure to wash them by themselves so they don’t get tangled up in the other clothes in the washer.
Organize the remaining toys by type, size and function
Before you start putting the toys away, you need to know where they should go. Pick up each toy and decide where it should go based on its type, size and function. Most of your kids’ toys will probably go in a toy box. If you don’t have a toy box, you can use a large plastic tub with a lid or a large Rubbermaid container. Put all small toys in a mesh bag and put them in the bottom of the container. Put larger toys on the top. If you have drawers to store toys in, put small toys in one drawer and large toys in another. You can also use a hanging garment bag to store toys if you don’t have any drawers. If you have a lot of toys that don’t fit into a toy box, you can use a rolling cart to store them. You can also stack some on top of each other on shelves. Be sure that you don’t stack them too high; you don’t want them falling and getting damaged.
Conclusion
Kids’ toys can get really dirty and it’s important to clean them periodically. When you clean kids’ toys, make sure that you vacuum them first and put them back in the place you found them. This will keep the house clean and organized. Keeping a messy toy box is as much of a responsibility as having one. Moreover, by organizing all their stuff, you’re making it easier for them to find things when they come home on vacation or for Thanksgiving break.