How to clean wooden toys is an important skill you should have, especially if you are a parent. Keeping them clean and hygienic will make your kids safe to play.
Wooden toys are a kind of toys made of wooden material. They include wooden trains and cars that can be made of either hard or softwood. The majority of wooden toys, especially those for younger children, feature bright colors and interesting pictures.
Today, most baby and kids’ toys are made of plastic. However, wooden toys have high aesthetic value and can also be educational. You can make a lot of great toys with them, like puzzles and toys for the sandbox.
Wooden toys have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. Many of them are handcrafted from a local workshop. They are still widely used today by both children and adults.
Toys get dirty and it’s important to keep them clean. Disinfecting toys is important to keep your kids healthy. In this article, you’ll discover the best ways to clean wooden toys.
Contents
Why do people love to use wooden toys?
1. They are eco friendly
Wooden toys are more eco-friendly because it doesn’t have any harmful substances such as lead or BPA that could harm kids. They are better for the environment than plastic toys, which often end up in landfills. It is safer for kids because it doesn’t have tiny parts that could be swallowed by accident.
2. They are durable
Toys made from wood can outlast plastic toys because they don’t break easily. They are also water-resistant and easy to maintain.
3. They are attractive and customizable
Wooden toys are educational, creative, colorful, and fun — and these are the same reasons why many kids still prefer them to plastic! Most wooden toys stimulate and develop a child’s creative and imaginative skills. They are never out of style because wooden toys can be used for both young and old.
Why do you need to clean wooden toys
1. Keep them in a good shape
Dirt can stain the toys, and make them look older than they are. When they’re clean and shiny, they’re much more appealing.
2. Avoiding bad health effects
Dust and dirt can cause damage to the toys and choking hazards for children. Wooden toys have a high risk of containing dangerous bacteria and toxins, which can lead to serious health issues. Children are especially susceptible to these harmful viruses, which is what makes it so important for parents to clean their toys regularly.
How to clean wooden toys
1. Baby soap
Baby soap is great for cleaning wooden toys. It doesn’t leave any residue, which often occurs with other soaps, and it does not have any harmful ingredients. It’s also gentle on the toys.
Prepare the following materials:
- – a few drops of baby soap
- – 200 ml of water
- – a sponge
- – an old toothbrush
- – a dry microfiber cloth
First, mix a few drops of baby soap and 200 ml of water. Mix them together to create soapy water. Then, dampen a sponge to the mixture and wipe it on the wooden toys. For stubborn stains, scrub it with an old toothbrush. Then, rinse them with running water. Then, wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. Let the toys dry completely before storing them away.
2. Liquid cleaner for baby
For more effective and safe cleaning of your baby’s toys, you should use the baby cleaner liquid. And, since it’s all-natural, you don’t need to worry about it as much
Prepare the following materials:
- – a few drops of baby cleaner liquid
- – 200 ml of water
- – a sponge
- – an old toothbrush
- – a dry microfiber cloth
To clean the wooden toys, mix baby cleaner and water. Mix them up to create soap water. Next, dampen a sponge in the mixture and wipe it on the wooden toys. If stains are stubborn, scrub them with an old toothbrush. Then, rinse it off with water. Finally, wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth.
3. Olive oil
It’s easy to clean your child’s wooden toys with olive oil. Olive oil is a great alternative to harsher chemicals. It doesn’t leave a sticky film, it’s antibacterial, and it doesn’t cause any health problems for your family.
Prepare the following materials”
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 200 ml of water
- a sponge
- an old toothbrush
- a dry microfiber cloth
Cleaning wooden toys are easy. First, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 200 ml of water in a bowl. Dampen your sponge in the mixture and wipe the wooden toy with it. Stubborn stains can be scrubbed away with an old toothbrush. Then, rinse off all traces of the cleaning liquid with water. Finally, wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar is a fantastic option when it comes to cleaning wooden toys. It’s completely safe and won’t damage the toy, and it comes with a number of benefits: it’s non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about exposing your child to harmful substances
Prepare the following materials:
- 100 ml of vinegar
- 200 ml of water
- a sponge
- an old toothbrush
- a dry microfiber cloth
Mix the vinegar with water to create your cleaning solution. Mix them together in a bowl and dampen your cleaning sponge. Now get scrubbing! You can use an old toothbrush to get off any particularly stubborn stains. Rinse it off afterward with some warm water. Last, wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Let the wooden toy dry before storing it in an upright position.
5. Baking soda
Apart from being a great cleaner around the house, baking soda is also one of the ultimate storage solutions. You can use it to clean wooden toys and make them look as good as new ones. It’s also useful when you’re doing DIY projects around the house.
Prepare the following materials:
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 200 ml of water
- a sponge
- an old toothbrush
- a dry microfiber cloth
First, mix 200 ml of water and 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl. Mix until evenly. Then, dampen your sponge in the mixture. After that, wipe the wooden toys with it. If some sticky stains remain, scrub them away with an old toothbrush. Then, rinse off all residue with water and wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth.
6. Mild soap
Mild soap is great for cleaning wooden toys. This type of soap will make the toys protected from spillages, dirt, and germs.
Prepare the following materials:
- mild soap
- 200 ml of water
- a sponge
- an old toothbrush
- a dry microfiber cloth
First, you need to mix a few drops of mild soap with water. Then, soak the sponge in soapy water and wipe them on the toys. If there are some stubborn stains on the toys, you also can scrub them with an old toothbrush. After that, rinse the toys in running water. Then, wipe them off with a dry microfiber cloth.
7. Castile liquid soap
Castile soap is a versatile and hardworking cleaner. Most castile soap is made with a number of ingredients such as olive, coconut, and hemp oil, among others. Using this soap to clean your wooden toys can keep them looking as good as new.
Prepare the following materials:
- Castile liquid soap
- 200 ml of water
- a sponge
- an old toothbrush
- a dry microfiber cloth
First, mix a few drops of Castile liquid soap with 200 ml of water in a bowl. After that, soak the sponge in soapy water and wipe the toys with it. If stains remain, you can also scrub them with an old toothbrush.
Next, rinse the toys in running water. Once they have been rinsed, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe them off.
How to keep your wooden toys last longer
1. Avoid washing it in a dishwasher
Even though wooden toys are sturdy, they are also very delicate. The dishwasher can be too harsh on them and it could destroy the wooden material of the toy. Even if the toy is dishwasher-safe, it is recommended to hand wash it under cold water to prevent any possible damage.
2. Don’t use harsh chemical
To keep wooden toys last longer, one of the best things to do is to avoid using chemicals like ammonia and bleach.
Treating wooden toys with chemicals, especially bleach and ammonia will eventually lead to the toys’ loss of color. These chemicals can also cause cracks on the surface.
Conclusion
Wood toys are a classic but can quickly become dirty. Learning how to clean wooden toys can be a great life skill for you if you have children. Knowing how to properly clean everyday items that get dirty can help you save money and protect your family’s health.
- Baby soap
- Baby cleaner liquid
- Olive oil
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Mild soap
- Castile liquid soap
